ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
Tottenham Acquisition I Limited is a British Virgin Islands exempted company incorporated on November 13, 2017 as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic location. We have not selected any target business for our initial business combination.
We believe that our management team is well positioned to identify attractive risk-adjusted returns in the marketplace and that our contacts and transaction sources, ranging from industry executives, private owners, private equity funds, and investment bankers, in addition to the geographical reach of our affiliates, will enable us to pursue a broad range of opportunities. Our management team has significant experience in engaging in cross-border business in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities that will allow us to negotiate a transaction.
In addition to our management team, our sponsor, Norwich Investment Limited (our “Sponsor”), is owned by Mr. Kon Man (Jason) Wong. Mr. Wong has over 25 years of experience in fund management and primary and secondary market investment. Mr. Wong is the founding member and a member of the board of Whiz Partners Asia Ltd. He is also an investment committee member of the Whiz Asia Evolution fund. The fund’s investment strategy focuses on technology, education, and advance manufacturing in Japan and other Asian countries. Since 2000, Mr. Wong has been the managing director of Fortune Capital Group Limited, an investment company that focused on investing in technology companies in China. Prior to that, Mr. Wong was a financial consultant for Transpac Capital Limited, one of the largest and oldest private equity funds and venture capital funds in Asia. Mr. Wong also has extensive experience serving as member of the board of various public companies. He is currently an independent and non-executive director of Ascent International Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 264). He was an independent and non-executive director of Group Sense (International) Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 601), a manufacturer of electronic dictionaries and handheld information devices; Neo-Neon Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 1868), a decorative lighting company; Polyard Petroleum International Group Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 8011), an oil and gas exploration, development and production company; and China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources, Inc. (American Stock Exchange: SHZ), a mining company. We expect Mr. Wong to help us identify potential business combination targets and provide his expertise and experience in evaluating those targets.
On August 6, 2018, the Company consummated the initial public offering (“IPO”) of 4,600,000 units (the “Units”), which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option of 600,000 Units. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share (“Ordinary Share”), one warrant (“Warrant”) entitling its holder to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an Ordinary Share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. In addition, the Company sold to Chardan, for $100, an option to purchase up to 220,000 units exercisable at $11.50 per unit pursuant to the Unit Purchase Option agreement, commencing on the later of the consummation of a business combination and six months from the effective date of the Registration Statement.
On August 6, 2018, simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with our Sponsor of 215,000 units (the “Private Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,150,000. The Private Units are identical to the Units sold in the IPO, except that the warrants underlying the Private Units will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. Additionally, because the Private Units were issued in a private transaction, the initial purchasers and their permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the warrants included in the Private Units for cash even if a registration statement covering the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered ordinary shares. Additionally, such initial purchasers agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except in limited circumstances, as described in the Registration Statement) until the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. Such Initial Purchasers were granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the purchase of the Private Units.
A total of $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option Units) and the private placements on August 6, 2018 were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders at Morgan Stanley maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, acting as trustee. None of the funds held in trust will be released from the trust account, other than interest income to pay any tax obligations, until the earlier of the completion of an initial business combination within the required time period or our entry into liquidation if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. On August 27, 2018, our ordinary shares, warrants and rights underlying the Units sold in our IPO began to trade separately on a voluntary basis.
On July 23, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
On October 25, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
Since our IPO, our sole business activity has been identifying and evaluating suitable acquisition transaction candidates. The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. We may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner.
Recent Developments
On January 21, 2020, the Company issued the third unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
Competitive strengths
We believe our specific competitive strengths to be the following:
Status as a public company
We believe our structure will make us an attractive business combination partner to target businesses. As an existing public company, we offer a target business an alternative to the traditional initial public offering through a merger or other business combination. In this situation, the owners of the target business would exchange their shares of stock in the target business for our ordinary shares or for a combination of our ordinary shares and cash, allowing us to tailor the consideration to the specific needs of the sellers. We believe target businesses might find this method a more certain and cost effective method to become a public company than the typical initial public offering. In a typical initial public offering, there are additional expenses incurred in marketing, roadshow and public reporting efforts that will likely not be present to the same extent in connection with a business combination with us. Furthermore, once the business combination is consummated, 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 that could prevent the offering from occurring. Once public, we believe the target business would then have greater access to capital and an additional means of providing management incentives consistent with shareholders’ interests than it would have as a privately-held company. It 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 status as a public company will make us an attractive business partner, some potential target businesses may view the inherent limitations in our status as a blank check company, such as our lack of an operating history and our requirements to seek shareholder approval of any proposed initial business combination and provide holders of public shares the opportunity to convert their shares into cash from the trust account, as a deterrent, and may prefer to effect a business combination with a more established entity or with a private company.
Transaction flexibility
We offer a target business a variety of options, such as providing the owners of a target business with shares in a public company and a public means to sell such shares, providing cash for stock, and providing capital for the potential growth and expansion of its operations or strengthening its balance sheet by reducing its debt ratio. Because we are able to consummate 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, since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not taken any steps to secure third party financing and it may not be available to us.
Management Experience
We believe the experience and contacts of our management team will give us distinct advantages in sourcing, structuring and consummating business combinations. We have a management team with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, including cross-border transactions, target sourcing, financial due diligence, deal structuring and negotiation, as well as finance and investment in the United States and Asia, and understands the cultural, business and economic differences and opportunities that will allow us to negotiate a transaction. We believe we can source attractive deals and find good investment opportunities from private and public sources to create value for shareholders. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us with an important source of investment opportunities.
Competitive Weaknesses
We believe our competitive weaknesses to be the following:
Limited Financial Resources
Our financial reserves will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of venture capital firms, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. In addition, our financial resources could be reduced because of our obligation to convert shares held by our public shareholders as well as any tender offer we conduct.
Lack of experience with blank check companies
Our management team is not experienced in pursuing business combinations on behalf of blank check companies. Other blank check companies may be sponsored and managed by individuals with prior experience in completing business combinations between blank check companies and target businesses. Our managements’ lack of experience may not be viewed favorably by target businesses.
Limited technical and human resources
As a blank check company, we have limited technical and human resources. Many venture capital funds, leveraged buyout firms and operating businesses possess greater technical and human resources than we do and thus we may be at a disadvantage when competing with them for target businesses.
Delay associated with shareholder approval or tender offer
We may be required to seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination. If we are not required to obtain shareholder approval of an initial business combination, we will allow our shareholders to sell their shares to us pursuant to a tender offer. Both seeking shareholder approval and conducting a tender offer will delay the consummation of our initial business combination. Other companies competing with us for acquisition opportunities may not be subject to similar requirement, or may be able to satisfy such requirements more quickly than we can. As a result, we may be at a disadvantage in competing for these opportunities.
Effecting an Acquisition Transaction
General
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business until we complete a business combination. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these in effecting our initial business combination. Although substantially all of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placements are intended to be applied generally toward effecting a business combination, the proceeds are not otherwise being designated for any more specific purposes. Accordingly, investors in the IPO were investing without first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. Our initial business combination may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish a public trading market for its shares. In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. We may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner.
Sources of Target Businesses
We believe based on our management’s business knowledge and past experience that there are numerous business combination candidates. We anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from our Sponsor or from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses in which they think we may be interested in an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have known what types of businesses we are targeting. Our officers and directors, as well as their 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 or conventions. We may engage professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions or mergers in the future, in which event we may pay a finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm’s length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction. In no event, however, will our insiders or any of the members of our management team be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). If we decide to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our officers, directors or initial shareholders, we will do so only if we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. As of the date of this report, there are no affiliated entities that we would consider as a business combination target.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of Our Initial Business Combination
Subject to our management team’s fiduciary duties and the limitation that one or more target businesses have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. Additionally, there is no limitation on our ability to raise funds privately or through loans in connection with our initial business combination. We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses.
Accordingly, there is no basis for investors to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the target business with which we may ultimately complete a business combination. To the extent we effect our initial business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its early stage of development or growth, including entities without established records of sales or earnings, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business and operations of financially unstable and early stage or potential emerging growth companies. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular target business, we may not properly ascertain or assess all significant risk factors. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors, including one or more of the following:
· financial condition and results of operation;
· growth potential;
· brand recognition and potential;
· return on equity or invested capital;
· market capitalization or enterprise value;
· experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel;
· capital requirements;
· competitive position;
· barriers to entry;
· stage of development of the products, processes or services;
· existing distribution and potential for expansion;
· degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes or services;
· proprietary aspects of products and the extent of intellectual property or other protection for products or formulas;
· impact of regulation on the business;
· regulatory environment of the industry;
· costs associated with effecting the business combination;
· industry leadership, sustainability of market share and attractiveness of market industries in which a target business participates; and
· macro competitive dynamics in the industry within which the company competes.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Our management may not consider any of the above criteria in evaluating a prospective target business. The retention of our officers and directors following the completion of any business combination will not be a material consideration in our evaluation of a prospective target business.
Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete our initial business combination remain to be determined. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the funds in the trust account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account), which we refer to as the 80% test, at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although we may structure a business combination with one or more target businesses whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. If we are no longer listed on Nasdaq, we will not be required to satisfy the 80% test.
We currently anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure a business combination where we merge directly with the target business or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise owns a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. 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 shareholders 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% test. In order to consummate such an acquisition, we may issue a significant amount of our debt or equity securities to the sellers of such businesses and/or seek to raise additional funds through a private offering of debt or equity securities. Since we have no specific business combination under consideration, we have not entered into any such fund raising arrangement and have no current intention of doing so. The fair market value of the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions on the type of target business we are seeking to acquire, as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or insiders and are therefore required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view, we may ask that banking firm to opine on whether the target business met the 80% fair market value test. Nevertheless, we are not required to do so and could determine not to do so without consent of our shareholders.
Lack of Business Diversification
We expect to complete only a single business combination, although this process may entail simultaneous business combinations with several operating businesses. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating 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 upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to our initial business combination, and
· result in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
If we determine to simultaneously consummate our initial business combination with several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With a business combination with several businesses, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the target companies in a single operating business.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’ Management Team
Although we intend to scrutinize the management team of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting our initial business combination, our assessment of the target business’ management team may not prove to be correct. In addition, the future management team may not have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following our initial business combination remains to be determined. While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following our initial business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to our initial business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of our initial business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
Following our initial business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We may not have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholder Approval of Business Combination
In connection with any proposed business combination, we will either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable) or (2) provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their public shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. If we determine to engage in a tender offer, such tender offer will be structured so that each shareholder may tender any or all of his, her or its public shares rather than some pro rata portion of his, her or its shares. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction, whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval or whether we were deemed to be a foreign private issuer (which would require us to conduct a tender offer rather than seeking shareholder approval under SEC rules). If we so choose and we are legally permitted to do so, we have the flexibility to avoid a shareholder vote and allow our shareholders to sell their shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act which regulate issuer tender offers. In that case, we will file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination as is required under the SEC’s proxy rules. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation and, solely if we seek shareholder approval, a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
We chose our net tangible asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, our net tangible asset threshold may limit our ability to consummate such initial business combination (as we may be required to have a lesser number of shares converted or sold to us) and may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or 21 months, if extended) in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our initial shareholders and our officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to convert any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction, we would need only 300,001 of our public shares (or approximately 7.5% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved.
None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase Units or Ordinary Shares from persons in the open market or in private transactions (other than the Private Units). However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of Ordinary Shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.
Ability to Extend Time to Complete Business Combination
If we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination). As the date of this Report, we have extended three times the period of time to consummate a business combination until May 6, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $460,000 ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required.
Conversion/Tender Rights
At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to convert their public shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our initial shareholders have agreed, pursuant to written letter agreements with us, not to convert any public shares held by them into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account. The conversion rights will be effected under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and British Virgin Islands law as redemptions. If we hold a meeting to approve an initial business combination, a holder will always have the ability to vote against a proposed business combination and not seek conversion of his shares.
Alternatively, if we engage in a tender offer, each public shareholder will be provided the opportunity to sell his public shares to us in such tender offer. The tender offer rules require us to hold the tender offer open for at least 20 business days. Accordingly, this is the minimum amount of time we would need to provide holders to determine whether they want to sell their public shares to us in the tender offer or remain an investor in our company.
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors will not have conversion rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to the IPO, in the IPO or in the aftermarket.
We may also require public shareholders, whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either tender their certificates (if any) to our transfer agent or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, at any time at or prior to the vote on the business combination. Once the shares are converted by the holder, and effectively redeemed by us under British Virgin Islands law, the transfer agent will then update our Register of Members to reflect all conversions. The proxy solicitation materials that we will furnish to shareholders in connection with the vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time our proxy statement is mailed through the vote on the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to exercise his conversion rights. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are required to provide at least 10 days’ advance notice of any shareholder meeting, which would be the minimum amount of time a shareholder would have to determine whether to exercise conversion rights. As a result, if we require public shareholders who wish to convert their ordinary shares into the right to receive a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account to comply with the foregoing delivery requirements, holders may not have sufficient time to receive the notice and deliver their shares for conversion. Accordingly, investors may not be able to exercise their conversion rights and may be forced to retain our securities when they otherwise would not want to.
There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder. However, this fee would be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The need to deliver shares is a requirement of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require shareholders seeking to exercise conversion rights to deliver their shares prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination is not consummated, this may result in an increased cost to shareholders.
Any request to convert or tender such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of a public share delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion or tender and subsequently decides prior to the vote on the business combination or the expiration of the tender offer not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their conversion or tender rights would not be entitled to convert their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.
Automatic Liquidation if No Business Combination
If we do not complete a business combination within 12 months from the consummation of the IPO, it will trigger our automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. However, if we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate our initial business combination within 12 months, we may, but are not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination). As the date of this Report, we have extended three times the period of time to consummate a business combination until May 6, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, in order to extend the time available for us to consummate our initial business combination, our insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $460,000 ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that we are unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. In the event that we receive notice from our insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, we intend to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, we intend to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. Our insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for us to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of our insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate our initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within such time period, we will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay our taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, we may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders. In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, the public rights will expire and will be worthless.
The amount in the trust account (less approximately $400 representing the aggregate nominal par value of the shares of our public shareholders) under the Companies Law will be treated as share premium which is distributable under the Companies Law provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are forced to liquidate the trust account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our public shareholders the amount in the trust account calculated as of the date that is two days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our public shareholders with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.
Each of our initial shareholders and our sponsor has agreed to waive its rights to participate in any liquidation of our trust account or other assets with respect to the insider shares and private units and to vote their insider shares, private shares in favor of any dissolution and plan of distribution which we submit to a vote of shareholders. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our warrants or rights, which will expire worthless.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of the IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share distribution from the trust account would be $10.00.
The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to the claims of our creditors which would be prior to the claims of our public shareholders. Although we will seek to have all vendors, including lenders for money borrowed, prospective target businesses or other entities we engage 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 shareholders, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements or even if they execute such agreements that they would 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 an advantage with a claim against our assets, including the funds held in the trust account. If any third party refused to execute an agreement waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account, we would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to us if we chose not to engage such third party and evaluate if such engagement would be in the best interest of our shareholders if such third party refused to waive such claims. Examples of possible instances where we may engage a third party that refused 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 provider of required services willing to provide the waiver. In any event, our management would perform an analysis of the alternatives available to it and would only enter into an agreement with a third party that did not execute a waiver if management believed that such third party’s engagement would be significantly more beneficial to us than any alternative. 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.
Norwich Investment Limited, our sponsor, has agreed that, if we liquidate the trust account prior to the consummation of a business combination, it will be liable to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us in excess of the net proceeds of the IPO not held in the trust account, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such debts or obligations do not reduce the amounts in the trust account and only if such parties have not executed a waiver agreement. However, we cannot assure you that he will be able to satisfy those obligations if he is required to do so. Accordingly, the actual per-share distribution could be less than $10.00 due to claims of creditors. Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which 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 shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00 per share.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of the IPO, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.
The following also may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:
· our obligation to seek shareholder approval of a business combination or obtain the necessary financial information to be sent to shareholders in connection with such business combination may delay or prevent the completion of a transaction;
· our obligation to convert public shares held by our public shareholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination;
· NASDAQ may require us to file a new listing application and meet its initial listing requirements to maintain the listing of our securities following a business combination;
· our outstanding warrants, rights and unit purchase options and the potential future dilution they represent;
· our obligation to pay the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions to Chardan Capital Markets, LLC upon consummation of our initial business combination;
· our obligation to either repay or issue units upon conversion of up to $500,000 of working capital loans that may be made to us by our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates;
· our obligation to register the resale of the insider shares, as well as the private units (and underlying securities) and any securities issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates upon conversion of working capital loans; and
· the impact on the target business’ assets as a result of unknown liabilities under the securities laws or otherwise depending on developments involving us prior to the consummation of a business combination.
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately-held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.
If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We maintain our principal executive offices at Unit 902, Lucky Building, 39-41 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. The cost for this space is provided to us by Norwich Investment Limited, a company wholly owned by our insiders, as part of the $10,000 per month payment we make to it for office space and related services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once management locates a suitable target business to acquire, they will spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time to our affairs) than they would prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business (which could range from only a few hours a week while we are trying to locate a potential target business to a majority of their time as we move into serious negotiations with a target business for a business combination). We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
As a smaller reporting company we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operations. We maintain our principal executive offices at Unit 902, Lucky Building, 39-41 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. The cost for this space is provided to us by Norwich Investment Limited, a company wholly owned by our insiders, as part of the $10,000 per month payment we make to it for office space and related services. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We may be subject to legal proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to the conduct of our business from time to time. We are not currently a party to any material litigation or other legal proceedings brought against us. We are also not aware of any legal proceeding, investigation or claim, or other legal exposure that has a more than remote possibility of having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
part II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PU4.RCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our units began to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “TOTAU” on August 2, 2018. The ordinary shares, warrants and rights comprising the units began separate trading on Nasdaq on August 27, 2018, under the symbols “TOTA”, “TOTAW” and “TOTAR”, respectively.
Holders of Record
At March 17, 2019, there were 5,965,000 of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding held by nine shareholders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of ordinary shares whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. It is the present intention of our board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our board of directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
None.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Use of Proceeds
On August 6, 2018, we consummated our IPO of 4,600,000 Units, which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option of 600,000 Units. Each Unit consists of one Ordinary Share, one warrant entitling its holder to purchase one-half of one Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one Right to receive 1/10 of an Ordinary Share upon the consummation of our initial business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated a private placement of 215,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,150,000. The net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option units) and the Private Placement were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
The private units are identical to the units sold in the IPO except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held by our Sponsor or its permitted transferees. Additionally, because the Private Units were issued in a private transaction, our Sponsor and its permitted transferees will be allowed to exercise the warrants included in the Private Units for cash even if a registration statement covering the Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective and receive unregistered Ordinary Shares. Additionally, our Sponsor agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Units or underlying securities (except to the same permitted transferees as the insider shares and provided the transferees agree to the same terms and restrictions as the permitted transferees of the insider shares must agree to, each as described above) until the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. The Sponsor was granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights in connection with the Private Units.
As of August 6, 2018, a total of $46,000,000 of proceeds from the IPO (including the over-allotment) and the Private Placement were in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
We paid a total of $1,150,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions (not including the 4.0% deferred underwriting commission payable at the consummation of business combination) and approximately $440,000 for other costs and expenses related to our formation and the IPO.
For a description of the use of the proceeds generated in our initial public offering, see below Part II, Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
As a smaller reporting company we are not required to make disclosures under this Item.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Overview
We were formed on November 13, 2017 for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses. Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to any particular industry or geographic region, although the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in the TMT (Technology, Media, Telecom), education, e-commerce, health-care and consumer goods industries with primary operations in Asia (with an emphasis in China). We have not selected any target business for our initial business combination.
We presently have no revenue, have had losses since inception from incurring formation costs and have had no operations other than the active solicitation of a target business with which to complete a business combination. We have relied upon the sale of our securities and loans from our officers and directors to fund our operations.
On August 6, 2018, the Company consummated its IPO of 4,600,000 Units, which includes the full exercise of the over-allotment option. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share, one redeemable warrant, and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of a business combination. Each redeemable warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one-half (1/2) of one ordinary share, and each ten rights entitle the holder thereof to receive one ordinary share at the closing of a business combination. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated a Private Placement of 215,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,150,000. A total of $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the sale of Units in the IPO (including the over-allotment option units) and the Private Placements were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders.
As of December 31, 2019, a total of $48,300,233 was held in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders, which included $46,000,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO (including the exercise of the over-allotment option) and the Private Placements and subsequent interest income.
On July 23, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
On October 25, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
On January 21, 2020, the Company issued the third unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination. As the date of this Report, we have extended three times the period of time to consummate a business combination until May 6, 2020.
Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placement, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally towards consummating a business combination.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide, and potential target companies may defer or end discussions for a potential business combination with us whether or not COVID-19 affects their business operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. We may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner.
Results of Operations
Our entire activity from inception up to August 6, 2018 was in preparation for the IPO. Since the IPO, our activity has been limited to the evaluation of business combination candidates, and we will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our business combination. We expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses. We expect our expenses to increase substantially after this period.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had a net income of $268,703, which consisted of operating expenses offset by interest income from our trust account. Operating expenses generally consist of the $10,000 monthly payment to our Sponsor for office and administrative support, monthly professional fees owed to our service providers, travel expenses, Nasdaq market listing fees and amortization of our directors and officers insurance policy. Operating expenses after our initial public offering increased dramatically due to our having commenced operations, and certain professional expenses no longer being charged directly against paid-in-capital on our balance sheet, but now being expensed in the statement of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2019, we had cash outside our trust account of $429,447 available for working capital needs. All remaining cash was held in the trust account and is generally unavailable for our use, prior to the business combination. Our management is of the opinion that we have sufficient funds to meet our working capital requirements and debt obligations as they become due for at least one year from the issuance date of this report.
On August 6, 2018, we consummated the IPO of 4,600,000 Units (which includes the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option), at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $46,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the sale of 215,000 Private Units, at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $2,150,000.
Following the IPO and the exercise of the over-allotment option, a total of $46,000,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred approximately $1,590,000 in IPO related costs, including $1,150,000 of underwriting fees and approximately $440,000 of IPO Costs.
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied to date through receipt of $25,000 from the sale of the insider shares, advances from our Sponsor and an affiliate of our Sponsor in an aggregate amount of $189,929, which were repaid upon our IPO and not outstanding as of December 31, 2019, and the remaining net proceeds from our IPO and Private Placement.
We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds of the IPO, including the funds held in the Trust Account, to acquire a target business or businesses and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account, as well as any other net proceeds not expended, will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business’ operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders’ fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the Trust Account were insufficient to cover such expenses.
We anticipate that the funds held outside of our trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate 12 months from the filing date of this Form 10-K, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective business combination candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to consummate our initial business combination with and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination.
If our estimates of the costs of undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating our initial business combination is less than the actual amount necessary to do so, or the amount of interest available to us from the trust account is less than we expect as a result of the current interest rate environment, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. Following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
As of December 31, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. We have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or entered into any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2019, we did not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities.
Critical Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation
These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in U.S. Dollars in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position, and the results of its operations and its cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires 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 expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the assets held in the Trust Account are held in cash and US Treasury securities.
The Company classifies marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. All marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive loss. The Company evaluates its investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Impairments are considered other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely the Company will sell the securities before the recovery of the cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net in the statements of operations.
Ordinary Shares Subject To Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary share subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 3,859,050 and 3,977,835 ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, respectively, are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A - “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and that were charged to shareholders’ equity upon the completion of the Public Offering.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, the methods used to measure fair value and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between the buyer and the seller at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and cost approach shall be used to measure fair value. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs, which represent the assumptions used by the buyer and seller in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are further defined as observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are those that buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 -
Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 -
Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The fair value of the Company’s certain assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, and other current assets, accrued expenses, due to sponsor are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2019 and 2018due to the short maturities of such instruments.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
*included in cash and investments held in trust account on the Company’s balance sheet.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and trust accounts in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to possible conversion. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, plus to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of ordinary shares to settle rights and other ordinary share equivalents (currently none outstanding), as calculated using the treasury stock method. Ordinary shares subject to possible conversion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, which are not currently redeemable and are not redeemable at fair value, have been excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the Trust Account earnings. The Company has not considered the effect of rights that convert into 220,000 ordinary shares in the unit purchase option sold to the underwriter, in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the conversion of the rights into ordinary is contingent upon the occurrence of future events.
Related Parties
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has considered all new accounting pronouncements and has concluded that there are no new pronouncements that may have a material impact on the results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, based on the current information.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of the period ended December 31, 2019, we were not subject to any market or interest rate risk. Following the consummation of our Initial Public Offering, the net proceeds of our Initial Public Offering, including amounts in deposited in the trust account, may be invested in U.S. government treasury bills, notes or bonds with a maturity of 180 days or less, or in certain money market funds that invest solely in U.S. treasuries. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk when and if the net proceeds are invested in such securities.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our financial statements and the notes thereto begin on page of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that during the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
This Annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting due to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public companies. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. As a smaller reporting company, management’s report is not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
part III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following table sets forth information about our directors and executive officers as of March 17, 2020.
Name
Age
Position
Jason Ma
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Felix Wong
Chief Financial Officer and Director
Satoshi Tominaga
Director
Albert Lyu
Director
Estela Kuo
Director
Below is a summary of the business experience of each of our executive officers and directors:
Jason Ma. Mr. Ma has been our Chairman since February 2018 and our Chief Executive Officer since November 2017. Mr. Ma has 18 years of operational and executive experience in consulting, finance and information technology. He joined Plan and Success Investment Co. Ltd, a Hong Kong based boutique financial and consulting service firm specializing in helping clients with corporate finance transactions and strategic marketing penetration and business development, and has been its Managing Partner since November 2008, during which Mr. Ma has been responsible for leading the capital raising, merger and acquisition and listing related activities of its clients. Prior to that he was Vice President of Idea Asia Limited from December 2007 to November 2008 and Executive Director of Titanium Technology Limited from June 2003 to December 2007. Mr. Ma served as a Project Management Director at Ebiz Incubation Co. Ltd., a venture investment and incubation of a Hong Kong based private fund, from November 2000 to January 2003. Mr. Ma obtained a Master of Science in E-commerce and Internet Computing degree from the University of Hong Kong in 2001, a Master of Business Administration degree from Marshall School of Business at University of Southern California in 1998, and a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1995.
Felix Wong. Mr. Wong has been our Director and Chief Financial Officer since November 2017. He has 29 years of operational and executive experience in finance, accounting and venture capital. Mr. Wong has served as group Chief Financial Officer of Raytrons Technologies Limited since August 2015, during which Mr. Wong has been overseeing the overall financial function of the Group, including group accounting and corporate governance. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Tsing Capital from January 2012 to July 2015, where he managed four funds with a total investment amount of US$600 million and focused on environmental and clean technology investments. Mr. Wong also served as Senior Director and Chief Financial Officer of Spring Capital, a US$250 million fund, from October 2008 until June 2011. Additionally, Mr. Wong was the Chief Financial Officer of Natixis Private Equity Asia from November 2006 till October 2008 and an Associate Director of JAFCO Asia from March 2002 to October 2006. Mr. Wong began his career in 1992 as a Manager for Icon Medialab, was a Senior Finance Manager of Nielsen and Planning-Free Shopper from April 2000 to November 2001 and an Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers from August 1989 until March 2000. Mr. Wong earned his Masters of Business degree in 2003 from Curtin University in Australia and a Professional Diploma in Company Secretaryship and Administration from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1989.
Satoshi Tominaga. Mr. Tominaga has served as one of our directors since February 2018. He has 15 years of experience in investment and private equity. Mr. Tominaga was Managing Director of Kunsheng Investment Hong Kong Limited from May 2016 till July 2017, where he acted as the Investment Head of Japan. Prior to that, Mr. Tominaga served as Managing Director of Fosun International from November 2014 to February 2016, where he acted as the Investment Head of Japan. Before Fosun International, Mr. Tominaga was Executive Director/Expatriate at SBI Hong Kong. He joined SBI Holdings in December 2010 in Japan, and was responsible for the IPO of SBI Holdings in Hong Kong and making investment decisions. Additionally, Mr. Tominaga was Assistant Vice President / Expatriate of Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong Limited (Daiwa Securities Group Inc.) from September 2008 until September 2010, and Sales Trader of Daiwa Securities Group Inc. from January 2008 to September 2008. Prior to Daiwa, he joined Calyon Capital Markets Asia (CLSA) as a Private Equity Analyst in January 2007. Mr. Tominaga began his career in 2003 as a Project Leader at NTT DoCoMo Inc. Mr. Tominaga earned his Master of Science in Global Finance degree from Stern School of Business at New York University / Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2012 and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2003.
Albert Lyu. Mr. Lyu has served as one of our directors since February 2018. He has more than 12 years of experience in finance and accounting. Mr. Lyu served as Chief Financial Officer of China Lending Corporation (NASDAQ: CLDC) from January 2017 until July 2017. Mr. Lyu served in the assurance department of a first tier international accounting firm over the past eleven years. He began his career at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC in December 2005 as an Associate, left Deloitte in April 2009, and was a Director at Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk LLP till June 2016. Mr. Lyu is a Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Mr. Lyu obtained a Master of Business Studies degree in 2005 from Liverpool Business School at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting degree with honors from Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology in 2003.
Estela Kuo. Ms. Kuo has served as one of our directors since February 2018. Ms. Kuo has more than 30 years’ experience in consulting, marketing and public relations. She has been the Secretary General of Z-Park Listed Companies Association, which is a think tank performing research and advocacy concerning finance and technology policy for Beijing Government since January 2013. Prior to Z-Park, Ms. Kuo managed her personal investments and acted as an angel investor for a number of start-up ventures starting from October 2009. In May 1999, Ms. Kuo founded Econeo Digital Marketing and served as Managing Director until December 2003. Following the merger of Econeo Digital Marketing into Ogilvy China in 2003, she continued to work for Ogilvy Red Force and served as its Managing Director, and concurrently as Managing Director of Ogilvy Activation China until December 2009. Prior to founding Econeo Digital Marketing, Ms. Kuo founded Magic Media China in May 1997 and was its managing director until May 1999, when it merged with E21 Corporation. Ms. Kuo began her career in 1987 as a brand marketing professional for global companies including Ogivly, Burson-Marsteller, Publicis Groupe and IBM. Ms. Kuo has served as Chairman of Yanxing China Foundation, a charity foundation sponsoring 400 students in twelve top universities in China, since 2009. She is also a Director for Beijing Association of Taiwan Invested Enterprises and the Chairman for the Beijing Alumnus Club of Taipei First Girls’ High School. Ms. Kuo is an Independent Director certified by Shenzhen Stock Exchange. She participated in an EMBA Certificate Program in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2017. Ms. Kuo obtained her Master of Arts degree in 1986 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor of Arts in Statistics degree in 1984 from National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
Our directors and officers will play a key role in identifying, evaluating, and selecting target businesses, and structuring, negotiating and consummating our initial acquisition transaction. Except as described below and under “- Conflicts of Interest,” none of these individuals is currently a principal of or affiliated with a public company or blank check company that executed a business plan similar to our business plan. We believe that the skills and experience of these individuals, their collective access to acquisition opportunities and ideas, their contacts, and their transaction expertise should enable them to identify successfully and effect an acquisition transaction, although we cannot assure you that they will, in fact, be able to do so.
Officer and Director Qualifications
Our officers and board of directors are composed of a diverse group of leaders with a wide array of professional roles. In these roles, they have gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. Many of our officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and board committees of other companies, and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies. Further, our officers and directors also have other experience that makes them valuable, managing and investing assets or facilitating the consummation of business combinations.
We, along with our officers and directors, believe that the above-mentioned attributes, along with the leadership skills and other experiences of our officers and board members described below, provide us with a diverse range of perspectives and judgment necessary to facilitate our goals of consummating an acquisition transaction.
Jason Ma
Mr. Ma is well-qualified to serve as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board due to his in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in the global financial industry. We believe Mr. Ma’s access to contacts and sources, ranging from private and public company contacts, private equity funds and investment bankers will allow us to generate acquisition opportunities and identify suitable acquisition candidates.
Felix Wong
Mr. Cannon is well-qualified to serve as our Chief Financial Officer and Director due to his in-depth knowledge and experience in the U.S. and China capital markets, his over ten years of experience in auditing in one of the big four auditing firms, and his leadership in financial reporting, financing and mergers and acquisitions for several public companies.
Satoshi Tominaga
Mr. Tominaga is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors given his significant directorship experience, in-depth knowledge and experience in the Chinese and global capital markets, and his board experience in the financial sector for over 18 years.
Albert Lyu
Mr. Lyu is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his extensive experience in auditing in one of the big four auditing firms, and leadership in financial reporting, financing for several public companies.
Estela Kuo
Ms. Kuo is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors given her number of years of service in the financial industry, understanding of the fiduciary duties as a board member, her high standards of ethics, as well as her demonstrated professionalism.
Board Committees
The Board has a standing audit, nominating and compensation committee. The independent directors oversee director nominations. Each audit committee and compensation committee has a charter.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, engages Company’s independent accountants, reviewing their independence and performance; reviews the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the integrity of its financial statements; the audits of the Company’s financial statements and the appointment, compensation, qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee held one meetings during 2019.
The members of the Audit Committee are Satoshi Tominaga, Albert Lyu and Estela Kuo, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Albert Lyu is the Chairperson of the audit committee. The Board has determined that both Albert Lyu qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our Board. Specifically, the Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of the Board, establishes procedures for the director nomination process and screens and recommends candidates for election to the Board. On an annual basis, the Nominating Committee recommends for approval by the Board certain desired qualifications and characteristics for board membership. Additionally, the Nominating Committee establishes and administers a periodic assessment procedure relating to the performance of the Board as a whole and its individual members. The Nominating Committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the Board. The Nominating Committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2019.
The members of the Nominating Committee are Satoshi Tominaga, Albert Lyu and Estela Kuo, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Estela Kuo is the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews annually the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevant to the officers’ compensation, evaluates the officers’ performance in light of such goals and objectives, determines and approves the officers’ compensation level based on this evaluation; makes recommendations to the Board regarding approval, disapproval, modification, or termination of existing or proposed employee benefit plans, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO and non-CFO compensation and administers the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The chief executive officer of the Company may not be present during voting or deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to his compensation. The Company’s executive officers do not play a role in suggesting their own salaries. Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has engaged any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2019.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, as indicated above, no compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. 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 members of the Compensation Committee are Satoshi Tominaga, Albert Lyu and Estela Kuo, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ’s listing standards. Satoshi Tominaga is the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee.
Conflicts of Interest
Investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
· None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they 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 our company as well as the other entities with which they are affiliated. Our management has pre-existing fiduciary duties and contractual obligations and may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
· Our officers and directors may in the future become affiliated with entities, including other blank check companies, engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by our company.
· The insider shares owned by our officers and directors will be released from escrow only if a business combination is successfully completed and subject to certain other limitations. Additionally, our officers and directors will not receive distributions from the trust account with respect to any of their insider shares if we do not complete a business combination. In addition, our officers and directors may loan funds to us after the IPO and may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete an initial business combination. For the foregoing reasons, the personal and financial interests of our directors and executive officers may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, completing a business combination in a timely manner and securing the release of their shares.
Under British Virgin Islands law, directors owe the following fiduciary duties:
· duty to act in good faith in what the director believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;
· duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose;
· directors should not properly fetter the exercise of future discretion;
· duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and
· duty to exercise independent judgment.
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge skill and experience which that director has.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings.
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. In addition, conflicts of interest may arise when our board evaluates a particular business opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. We cannot assure you that any of the above mentioned conflicts will be resolved in our favor. Furthermore, most of our officers and directors have pre-existing fiduciary obligations to other businesses of which they are officers or directors. To the extent they identify business opportunities which may be suitable for the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations, our officers and directors will honor those fiduciary obligations. Accordingly, it is possible they may not present opportunities to us that otherwise may be attractive to us unless the entities to which they owe pre-existing fiduciary obligations and any successors to such entities have declined to accept such opportunities.
In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, each of our officers and directors has contractually agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, until the earliest of a business combination, our liquidation or such time as he ceases to be an officer or director, to present to our company for our consideration, prior to presentation to any other entity, any suitable business opportunity which may reasonably be required to be presented to us, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations he might have.
The following table summarizes the current pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors.
Name of Individual
Name of Affiliated Company
Affiliation
Jason Ma
Plan & Success Investment Co. Ltd.
Managing Partner
Felix Wong
Raytrons Technologies Limited
Chief Financial Officer
Estela Kuo
Z-Park Listed Companies Association
Secretary General
Yanxing China Foundation
Chairman
Beijing Association of Taiwan Invested Enterprises
Director
Beijing Alumnus Club, Taipei Girls’ High School
Chairman
In connection with the vote required for any business combination, all of our existing shareholders, including all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective insider shares and private shares in favor of any proposed business combination. In addition, they have agreed to waive their respective rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to those ordinary shares acquired by them prior to the IPO. If they purchased ordinary shares in the IPO or in the open market, however, they would be entitled to participate in any liquidation distribution in respect of such shares but have agreed not to convert such shares (or sell their shares in any tender offer) in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination or an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association relating to pre-business combination activity.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate our initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or initial shareholders, unless we have obtained (i) an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view and (ii) the approval of a majority of our disinterested and independent directors (if we have any at that time). Furthermore, in no event will any of our initial shareholders, officers, directors, special advisors or their respective affiliates be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other similar compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of our initial business combination.
Code of Ethics
We adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The code of ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our ordinary shares and other equity securities. These executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by such reporting persons.
Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed in a timely manner.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Employment Agreements
We have not entered into any employment agreements with our executive officers, and have not made any agreements to provide benefits upon termination of employment.
Executive Officers and Director Compensation
No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. No compensation of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of our existing shareholders, including our directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination. However, such individuals will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than our board of directors and audit committee, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our voting securities by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, (ii) each of our officers and directors, and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group as of March 17, 2020.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants or conversion of rights, as the warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of March 17, 2020 and the rights are not convertible within 60 days of March 17, 2020.
* Less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is Unit 902, 9/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong.
(2) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The reporting person has a business address of OxAM House, 6 George Street, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 2BW.
(3) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The reporting person has a business address of 401 Bay Street, Suite 1900, PO Box 19, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada.
(4) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The reporting person has a business address of 183 Sully's Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534.
(5) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The reporting person has a business address of 1266 East Main Street, Fourth Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. Basso Management, LLC is the manager of Basso SPAC Fund LLC (“Basso SPAC”). Basso Capital Management, L.P. (“BCM”) serves as the investment manager of Basso SPAC. Basso GP, LLC (“Basso GP”) is the general partner of BCM. Mr. Fischer is the sole portfolio manager for Basso SPAC, the Chief Executive Officer and a founding partner of BCM, and a member of each of Basso Management, LLC and Basso GP. Accordingly, each of Basso Management, LLC, BCM, Basso GP and Mr. Fischer may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the Shares reported herein.
(6) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The address for the reporting persons is -5-5, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8176, Japan. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and Mizuho Americas LLC may be deemed to be indirect beneficial owners of said equity securities directly held by Mizuho Securities USA LLC which is their wholly-owned subsidiary.
(7) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The address for the reporting person is 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534. Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management (“KIM”), is an investment advisor in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). Accounts managed by KIM (the “Accounts”) have the right to receive all dividends from, and any proceeds from the sale of the shares. None of the Accounts has an interest in shares constituting more than 5% of the shares outstanding.
(8) Based on a Schedule 13G filed by the reporting person. The address for the reporting persons is 333 Bay Street, Suite 1240, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2R2. Periscope Capital Inc. (“Periscope”) acts as investment manager of, and exercises investment discretion with respect to, certain private investment funds (each, a “Periscope Fund”).
All of the insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the IPO were placed in escrow with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as escrow agent, until (1) with respect to 50% of the insider shares, the earlier of one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination and the date on which the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share capitalizations, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the insider shares, one year after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property.
During the escrow period, the holders of these shares will not be able to sell or transfer their securities except (i) for transfers to our officers, directors or their respective affiliates (including for transfers to an entity’s members upon its liquidation), (ii) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, (iii) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (v) by certain pledges to secure obligations incurred in connection with purchases of our securities, (vi) by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased or (vii) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case (except for clause (vii)) where the transferee agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement, but will retain all other rights as our shareholders, including, without limitation, the right to vote their ordinary shares and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and payable in ordinary shares, such dividends will also be placed in escrow. If we are unable to effect a business combination and liquidate the trust account, none of our initial shareholders will receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to their insider shares.
In order to meet our working capital needs, our initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued units to acquire 55,000 ordinary shares (which includes 5,000 shares issuable upon conversion of rights) and warrants to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares if $500,000 of notes were so converted). Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans will not be repaid.
Our sponsor and our executive officers and directors are deemed to be our “promoters,” as that term is defined under the Federal securities laws.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
In November 2017, the Company’s Initial Shareholder, Norwich Investment Limited, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000 of Ordinary Shares (“Founder Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1, or approximately $0.0001 per share.
In February 2018, the Company’s Shareholder, Norwich Investment Limited, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,150,000 of Ordinary Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.022 per share. Concurrently, in February 2018, the Company repurchased 1,000 ordinary shares at a consideration of US$1 or US$0.0001 per share, from its founder shareholder.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated a private placement with certain of its initial shareholders of 215,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Private Unit, generating total proceeds of $2,150,000.
In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of the IPO, our initial shareholders, officers and directors and their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $500,000 of the notes may be converted upon consummation of our business combination into private units at a price of $10.00 per unit (which, for example, would result in the holders being issued units to acquire 55,000 ordinary shares (which includes 5,000 shares issuable upon conversion of rights) and warrants to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares if $500,000 of notes were so converted). Our shareholders have approved the issuance of the units and underlying securities upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert them at the time of the consummation of our initial business combination. If we do not complete a business combination, the loans would be repaid out of funds not held in the trust account, and only to the extent available.
The holders of our insider shares issued and outstanding prior to the date of the IPO, as well as the holders of the private units (and all underlying securities) and any securities our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to offering registration rights agreement. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of the majority of the insider shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private units or securities issued in payment of working capital loans made to us can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
We will reimburse our officers and directors for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on our behalf such as identifying and investigating possible target businesses and business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the interest income earned on the amounts held in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to any initial shareholder or member of our management team, or our or their respective affiliates, and any reimbursements and payments made to members of our audit committee will be reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
Other than $10,000 per month to Norwich Investment Limited for its general and administrative services, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s fees, consulting fees or other similar compensation, will be paid to any of our initial shareholders, officers or directors who owned our ordinary shares prior to the IPO, or to any of their respective affiliates, prior to or with respect to the business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions, including the payment of any compensation, will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors (to the extent we have any) or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested “independent” directors (or, if there are no “independent” directors, our disinterested directors) determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
On July 23, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
On October 25, 2019, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
On January 21, 2020, the Company issued the third unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
Related Party Policy
Our Code of Ethics requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the board of directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.
We also require each of our directors and executive officers to annually complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by our audit committee and a majority of our uninterested “independent” directors, or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our audit committee and a majority of our disinterested “independent” directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties. Additionally, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
To further minimize potential conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate a business combination with an entity which is affiliated with any of our initial shareholders unless we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. Furthermore, in no event will any of our existing officers, directors or initial shareholders, or any entity with which they are affiliated, be paid any finder’s fee, consulting fee or other compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of a business combination.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that within one year of the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market we have at least three independent directors and that a majority of our board of directors be independent. For a description of the director independence, see above Part III, Item 10 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following is a summary of fees paid or to be paid to Friedman LLP, or Friedman, for services rendered.
Audit Fees. Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our year-end financial statements and services that are normally provided by Friedman in connection with regulatory filings. The aggregate fees billed by Friedman for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of the financial information included in our Forms 10-Q for the respective periods and other required filings with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $60,000 and $85,000, respectively. The above amounts include interim procedures and audit fees, as well as attendance at audit committee meetings.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related services 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. We did not pay Friedman for consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Tax Fees. We did not pay Friedman for tax planning and tax advice for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
All Other Fees. We did not pay Friedman for other services for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Pre-Approval of Services
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.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Financial Statements:
(1) Financial Statements:
(2)
All supplemental schedules have been omitted since the information is either included in the financial statements or the notes thereto or they are not required or are not applicable
(3) See attached Exhibit Index of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
1.1
Underwriting Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
3.1
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.1
Specimen Unit Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.2
Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.3
Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.4
Specimen Right Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.5
Warrant Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.6
Rights Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.7
Form of Unit Purchase Option between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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 Ma
Chief Executive Officer (Principal executive officer) and Director
March 24, 2020
Jason Ma
/s/ Felix Wong
Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and accounting officer) and Director
March 24, 2020
Felix Wong
/s/ Satoshi Tominaga
Director
March 24, 2020
Satoshi Tominaga
/s/ Albert Lyu
Director
March 24, 2020
Albert Lyu
/s/ Estela Kuo
Director
March 24, 2020
Estela Kuo
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
1.1
Underwriting Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
3.1
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.1
Specimen Unit Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.2
Specimen Ordinary Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.3
Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2018)
4.4
Specimen Right Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.5
Warrant Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.6
Rights Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
4.7
Form of Unit Purchase Option between the Registrant and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
10.1
Letter Agreements by and between the Registrant and each of the initial shareholders, officers and directors of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
10.2
Investment Management Trust Account Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
10.3
Stock Escrow Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, among the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, and the initial shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
10.4
Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 1, 2018, among the Registrant, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and the initial shareholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on August 7, 2018)
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm- Friedman LLP
F - 2
Balance Sheets
F - 3
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
F - 4
Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency)
F - 5
Statement of Cash Flows
F - 6
Notes to Financial Statements
F -7 - F - 15
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Tottenham Acquisition I Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Tottenham Acquisition I Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity (deficiency), and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tottenham Acquisition I Limited. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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, the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regards to this matter 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 audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit 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 audit 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/Friedman LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.
New York, New York
March 24,
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(1)Excludes an aggregate of up to 3,859,050 and 3,977,835 shares subject to conversion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2)Basic and diluted net loss per share excludes interest income attributable to ordinary shares subject to conversion of ($0.21) and ($0.20) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited financial statements.
TOTTENHAM ACQUISITION I LIMITED
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS BACKGROUND
Tottenham Acquisition I Limited (the “Company” or “we”, “us” and “our”) is a newly organized blank check company incorporated on November 13, 2017, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands for the purpose of acquiring, engaging in a share exchange, share reconstruction and amalgamation, purchasing all or substantially all of the assets of, entering into contractual arrangements, or engaging in any other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (an “initial business combination”). Although the Company is not limited to a particular geographic region, the Company intends to focus on operating businesses with primary operations in Asia (with an emphasis in China).
The accompanying 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 (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activities through December 31, 2019 relate to the Company’s formation and the proposed public offering as described below. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end.
Financing
The registration statement for the Company’s initial public offering (the “Public Offering” as described in Note 3) was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 1, 2018. The Company consummated the Public Offering on August 6, 2018 of 4,600,000 units at $10.00 per unit (the “Public Units’) and sold to initial shareholders and Chardan Capital Markets, LLC options to purchase 220,000 units at $11.50 per unit for $100. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $46,000,000 (which includes deferred underwriting commissions of $1,840,000).
Trust Account
Upon the closing of the Public Offering and the private placement, $46,000,000 was placed in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC acting as trustee. The funds held in the Trust Account can be invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes, having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination within the required time period and (ii) the redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if the Company has not completed an initial business combination in the required time period. Placing funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that such persons will execute such agreements. The remaining net proceeds (not held in the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. Additionally, the interest earned on the Trust Account balance may be released to the Company to pay the Company’s tax obligations.
Business Combination
Pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, the Company’s initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses having an aggregate fair market value equal to at least 80% of the value of the funds in the Trust Account (excluding any deferred underwriter’s fees and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account), which the Company refers to as the 80% test, at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, although the Company may structure a business combination with one or more target businesses whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the trust account balance. If the Company is no longer listed on Nasdaq, it will not be required to satisfy the 80% test. The Company currently anticipates structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses.
The Company may, however, structure a business combination where the Company merges directly with the target business or where the Company acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but the Company will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise owns 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 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% test.
The Company will either seek shareholder approval of any business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to convert their shares into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid, or provide shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to the Company by means of a tender offer for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. These shares have been recorded at redemption value and are classified as temporary equity, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “ Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity .” The Company will proceed with a business combination only if it will have net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon consummation of the business combination and, solely if shareholder approval is sought, a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
In connection with any shareholder vote required to approve any business combination, the Initial Shareholders have agreed (i) to vote any of their respective shares, including the ordinary shares sold to the Initial Shareholders in connection with the organization of the Company (the “Initial Shares”), ordinary shares included in the Private Units sold in the Private Placement, and any ordinary shares which were initially issued in connection with the Public Offering, whether acquired in or after the effective date of the IPO, in favor of the initial business combination and (ii) not to convert such respective shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account or seek to sell their shares in connection with any tender offer the Company engages in.
Liquidation
If the Company does not complete a business combination within 12 months from the consummation of this offering, it will trigger an automatic winding up, dissolution and liquidation pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, this has the same effect as if the Company had formally gone through a voluntary liquidation procedure under the Companies Law. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such a voluntary winding up, dissolution and liquidation. However, if the Company anticipates that the Company may not be able to consummate its initial business combination within 12 months, the Company may, but is not obligated to, extend the period of time to consummate a business combination three times by an additional three months each time (for a total of up to 21 months to complete a business combination). Pursuant to the terms of the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the trust agreement entered into between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC on the effective date of the Registration Statement, in order to extend the time available for the Company to consummate our initial business combination, the Company’s insiders or their affiliates or designees, upon five days advance notice prior to the applicable deadline, must deposit into the trust account $460,000 ($0.10 per share), on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. The insiders will receive a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note equal to the amount of any such deposit that will not be repaid in the event that the Company is unable to close a business combination unless there are funds available outside the trust account to do so. Such notes would either be paid upon consummation of the Company’s initial business combination, or, at the lender’s discretion, converted upon consummation of our business combination into additional private units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The Company’s shareholders have approved the issuance of the private units upon conversion of such notes, to the extent the holder wishes to so convert such notes at the time of the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination. In the event that the Company receives notice from the Company’s insiders five days prior to the applicable deadline of their intent to effect an extension, the Company intends to issue a press release announcing such intention at least three days prior to the applicable deadline. In addition, the Company intends to issue a press release the day after the applicable deadline announcing whether or not the funds had been timely deposited. The Company’s insiders and their affiliates or designees are not obligated to fund the trust account to extend the time for the Company to complete our initial business combination. To the extent that some, but not all, of the Company’s insiders, decide to extend the period of time to consummate the Company initial business combination, such insiders (or their affiliates or designees) may deposit the entire amount required. If the Company is unable to consummate the Company’s initial business combination within such time period, the Company will, as promptly as possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the Company’s outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, including a pro rata portion of any interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not necessary to pay taxes, and then seek to liquidate and dissolve. However, the Company may not be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of the Company’s public shareholders. In the event of dissolution and liquidation, the public rights will expire and will be worthless.
Going Concern
In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after May 6, 2020.
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in U.S. Dollars in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position, and the results of its operations and its cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires 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 expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash
The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the assets held in the Trust Account are held in cash and US Treasury securities.
The Company classifies marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. All marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale debt securities are recorded in other comprehensive income. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. Investments in marketable debt securities are reported at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the Company's statements of operations and comprehensive income in the caption of “unrealized gain on available for sale debt securities” in each reporting period.
Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary share subject to mandatory redemption (if any) is classified as a liability instrument and is measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control. 3,859,050 and 3,977,835 ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, respectively, are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet.
Deferred Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A - “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of professional and registration fees incurred through the balance sheet date that are related to the Public Offering and that were charged to shareholders’ equity upon the completion of the Public Offering.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, the methods used to measure fair value and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between the buyer and the seller at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and cost approach shall be used to measure fair value. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs, which represent the assumptions used by the buyer and seller in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are further defined as observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are those that buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
Level 1 -
Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
Level 2 -
Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means.
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The fair value of the Company’s certain assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, and other current assets, accrued expenses, due to sponsor are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 due to the short maturities of such instruments.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 218, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
*included in cash and investments held in trust account on the Company’s balance sheet.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and trust accounts in a financial institution which, at times may exceed the Federal depository insurance coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under the asset and liability, method as required by this accounting standard, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to the period when assets are realized or liability is settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the operation of statement in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.
ASC 740 prescribes a comprehensive model for how companies should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in their financial statements uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Under ASC 740, tax positions must initially be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions must initially and subsequently be measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and relevant facts.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company calculates net loss per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to possible conversion. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, plus to the extent dilutive, the incremental number of ordinary shares to settle rights and other ordinary share equivalents (currently none outstanding), as calculated using the treasury stock method. Ordinary shares subject to possible conversion at December 31, 2019, which are not currently redeemable and are not redeemable at fair value, have been excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of the Trust Account earnings. The Company has not considered the effect of rights that convert into 220,000 ordinary shares in the unit purchase option sold to the underwriter, in the calculation of diluted loss per share, since the conversion of the rights into ordinary shares would be anti-dilutive.
Related Parties
Parties, which can be a corporation or individual, are considered to be related if the Company has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operational decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In July 2017, the FASB Issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in Part I of the Update change the reclassification analysis of certain equity-lined financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. The amendments in Part II of this Update recharacterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. For public business entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the amendments in Part I of this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The amendments in Part II of this Update do not require any transition guidance because those amendments do not have an accounting effect. The Company does not believe the adoption of this ASU would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The removed and modified disclosures will be adopted on a retrospective basis and the new disclosures will be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company does not expect this guidance will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this Update affect any entity that is required to apply the provisions of Topic 220, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income, and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this Update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, (1) for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) for all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The amendments in this Update should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company does not believe the adoption of this ASU would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Except for the above-mentioned pronouncements, there are no new recent issued accounting standards that will have material impact on the financial position, statements of operations and cash flows.
NOTE 3 - CASH AND INVESTMENT HELD IN TRUST ACCOUNT
As of December 31, 2019, investment securities in the Company’s Trust Account consisted of $48,298,955 in United States Treasury Bills and $1,278 in cash. As of December 31, 2018, investment securities in the Company’s Trust Account consisted of $46,369,458 in United States Treasury Bills and $1,062 in cash. The Company classifies its United States Treasury securities as available-for-sale debt securities. Available-for-sale marketable securities are recorded at their estimated fair value on the accompanying December 31, 2019 balance sheet. The carrying value, including gross unrealized holding gain as other comprehensive income and fair value of held to marketable debt securities on December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
NOTE 4 - PUBLIC OFFERING
On August 6, 2018, the Company sold 4,600,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit in the Public Offering. Each Public Unit consists of one ordinary share of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Public Shares”), one warrant (the “Public Warrant”) entitling its holder to purchase one-half of one Public Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share, and one right (the “Public Rights”). Each Public Right entitles the holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon consummation of an initial business combination. In addition, the Company sold to Chardan, for $100, an option to purchase up to 220,000 units exercisable at $11.50 per unit pursuant to the Unit Purchase Option agreement, commencing on the later of the consummation of a business combination and six months from the effective date of the Registration Statement. As of December 31, 2019, no options were exercised.
The Company accounted for the unit purchase option, inclusive of the receipt of $100 cash payment, as an expense of the IPO resulting in a charge directly to shareholders’ equity. The Company estimated the fair value of this unit purchase option to be approximately $653,400 (or $2.97 per Unit) using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the unit purchase option granted to the underwriters was estimated as of the date of grant using the following assumptions: (1) expected volatility of 35%, (2) risk-free interest rate of 2.44% and (3) expected life of five years. The option and such units purchased pursuant to the option, as well as the ordinary share underlying such units, the rights included in such units, the ordinary share that is issuable for the rights included in such units, the warrants included in such units, and the shares underlying such warrants, have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of FINRA’s NASDAQ Conduct Rules. Additionally, the option may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated for a one-year period (including the foregoing 180-day period) following the date of IPO except to any underwriter and selected dealer participating in the IPO and their bona fide officers or partners. The option grants to holders demand and “piggy back” rights for periods of five and seven years, respectively, from the effective date of the registration statement with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of the securities directly and indirectly issuable upon exercise of the option. The Company will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities, other than underwriting commissions which will be paid for by the holders themselves. The exercise price and number of units issuable upon exercise of the option may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or the Company’s recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the option will not be adjusted for issuances of ordinary shares at a price below its exercise price.
If the Company does not complete its business combination within the applicable time period described in Note 1, the Public Warrants and Public Rights will expire and be worthless. Since the Company is not required to net cash settle the Rights and the Rights are convertible upon the consummation of an initial business combination, the Management determined that the Rights are classified within shareholders’ equity as “Additional paid-in capital” upon their issuance in accordance with ASC 815-40. The proceeds from the sale are allocated to Public Shares, Public Warrants and Public Rights based on the relative fair value of the securities in accordance with ASC 470-20-30. The value of the Public Shares and Rights will be based on the closing price paid by investors.
The Company paid an upfront underwriting discount of $1,150,000 (2.5%) of the per unit offering price to the underwriter at the closing of the Public Offering, with an additional fee of $1,840,000 (the “Deferred Discount”) of 4.0% of the gross offering proceeds payable upon the Company’s completion of the business combination. The Deferred Discount will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its business combination. In the event that the Company does not close the business combination, the underwriter has waived its right to receive the Deferred Discount. The underwriter is not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount. In addition, pursuant to our agreement with the underwriters, the amount of Deferred Discount payable to Chardan will be reduced by $0.20 (2.0%) for each unit that is redeemed by shareholders in connection with a business combination.
On August 6, 2018, Chardan Capital Markets, LLC acquired an option to purchase up to a total of 220,000 units at $11.50 per unit for $100.
As of December 31, 2019, no options were exercised.
NOTE 5 - PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering, the Company consummated a private placement of (i) 200,000 Private Units, at $10.00 per unit, purchased by the Sponsor.
Simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated a private placement of 15,000 Private Units, at $10.00 per unit, purchased by the Sponsor.
The Private Units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that the private warrants will be non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis.
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Founder Shares
In November 2017, the Company’s Initial Shareholder, Norwich Investment Limited, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,000 of Ordinary Shares (“Founder Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1, or approximately $0.0001 per share. In February 2018, the Company’s Shareholder, Norwich Investment Limited, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,150,000 of Ordinary Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.022 per share. Concurrently, in February 2018, the Company repurchased 1,000 ordinary shares at a consideration of $1 or $0.0001 per share, from its Initial Shareholder.
Related Party Payables
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had related party payable to Initial Shareholder in the amount of $389,645 and $107,007, respectively. This payable is unsecured, interest-free and has no fixed terms of repayment.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company is obligated, commencing from August 2, 2018, to pay Norwich Investment Limited, its Initial Shareholder, a monthly fee of $10,000 for general and administrative services. This agreement will terminate upon completion of the Company’s initial business combination or the liquidation of the trust account to public shareholders.
Promissory Note Payable
At December 31, 2019, the Company had unsecured promissory note payable to Norwich Investment Limited in the aggregate principal amount of $920,000. This payable is in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has made available to complete a business combination.
NOTE 7 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred shares
The Company is authorized to issue 2,000,000 preferred shares at par $0.0001. There is no specific preferential right associated with this class of share at the time of this filing.
Ordinary shares
The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 ordinary shares at par $0.0001. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to one vote for each share.
In February 2018, the Company’s Shareholder, Norwich Investment Limited, subscribed for an aggregate of 1,150,000 of Ordinary Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.022 per share.
On August 6, 2018, the Company issued 215,000 ordinary shares under the private placement of 215,000 private units at $10 per unit, to the Sponsor.
On August 6, 2018, the Company sold 4,600,000 units at a price of $10.00 per Public Unit in the Public Offering.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 2,105,950 and 1,987,165 ordinary shares issued and outstanding excluding 3,859,050 and 3,977,835 shares are subject to possible conversion, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The table below presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), including the reclassification out of AOCI.
NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Deferred Underwriter Compensation
The Company is committed to pay the Deferred Discount of 4.0% of the gross offering proceeds, in the amount of $1,840,000 of the Public Offering, to the underwriter upon the Company’s consummation of the business combination. The underwriter is not entitled to any interest accrued on the Deferred Discount, and has waived its right to receive the Deferred Discount if the Company does not close a business combination. Pursuant to our agreement with the underwriters, the amount of Deferred Discount payable to Chardan will be reduced by $0.20 (2.0%) for each unit that is redeemed by shareholders in connection with a business combination.
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founder Shares, the private warrants (and their underlying securities) and the warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (and their underlying securities) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement signed prior on the effective date of the IPO. The holders of a majority of these securities will be entitled to make up to two demands that the Company register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Founder Shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the private warrants and warrants issued in payment of Working Capital Loans made to the Company (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the Company consummates a business combination. In addition, the holders will have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of a business combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
NOTE 9 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 21, 2020, the Company issued unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $460,000 to Norwich in exchange for Norwich depositing such amount into the Company’s trust account in order to extend the amount of time it has available to complete a business combination.
The Company may be unable to complete a business combination if continued concerns relating to COVID-19 restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner.