Real-time Form 4 intelligence. Smarter insider tracking.
YoY shift: Lean +
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is 0.17pp more bullish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
+0.59pp
Lean +
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
-0.24pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
liquidate+7
closing+4
worthless+4
adverse+3
forced+3
Positive rising
able+5
effective+1
diligently
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
termination+7
loss+7
liquidation+4
concern+4
unpaid+2
Positive rising
effective+1
MD&A (Item 7)
8,914 words
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Annual Report are any of the risks described in our final prospectus for our Initial Public Offering filed with the SEC. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations. As of the date of this Annual Report, except as follows, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our final definitive proxy dated January 8, 2025, filed with the SEC. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.
Since we have not consummated our initial Business Combination, our securities have been delisted from Nasdaq. Such delisting could have a material adverse effect on the trading of our securities and may adversely affect our ability to consummate an initial Business Combination
As previously disclosed via a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 31, 2025, the Company received a written notice from the Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company securities would be delisted for failing to comply with the 400 total holders requirement under Listing Rule 5450(a)(2) and the minimum 1,100,000 publicly held shares under Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A). Further, as announced by the Company, on February 7, 2025, the Company requested a hearing. On March 11, 2025, the Company advised the Nasdaq Hearings Panel that the Company was withdrawing its appeal of the January 31, 2025 delist determination issued by the Staff in this matter. On March 12, 2025, the Company received written notification (the “Delisting Notice”) from Nasdaq that trading in the Company’s securities will be suspended at the open of trading on March 14, 2025.
On March 12, 2025, we filed a Form 25, formally removing our securities from the Nasdaq. Following Trading Suspension, GLST units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants became eligible to trade on the OTC Markets under the ticker symbols GLST, GLSTU, GLSTR, and GLSTW on March 14, 2025, respectively.
In all cases, GLST and K-Wave are diligently working to satisfy or waive applicable closing conditions to complete the Business Combination and to effect trading of Pubco on Nasdaq as soon as practicable. There can be no assurance that the Trading Suspension will be lifted prior to the Closing. Although the parties intend to complete the Business Combination as soon as practicable, it is uncertain if PubCo will be able to meet Nasdaq’s initial listing requirements to list its securities on Nasdaq. If the filing of the Form 25 materially impacts the parties’ ability to complete the Business Combination on the terms thereof or Pubco’s ability to list on a national securities exchange, GLST will promptly file a Current Report on Form 8-K to report such event, with sufficient advance notice prior to the consummation of the Business Combination for shareholders to make an investment decision with respect to their shares.
If (i) Pubco is not able to list its securities on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange, (ii) the parties to the Business Combination Agreement waive applicable listing conditions as a condition to the Closing and (iii) the Business Combination closes and shareholders receive unlisted shares, then Pubco expects that its securities could potentially be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, Pubco could face significant material adverse consequences (along with GLST, which is currently delisted and may suffer such adverse consequences), including:
no longer being attractive as a merger partner;
an inability to meet a condition to closing the Business Combination;
a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
reduced liquidity for our securities;
a determination that our Ordinary Shares are a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our Ordinary Shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;
no longer being “covered securities,” as further described below;
a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies, other than the state of Idaho, certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on the Nasdaq, our securities would not be covered securities, and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Global Star will be forced to liquidate the trust account if it cannot consummate a business combination by June 22, 2025, Global Star’s public stockholders will receive $10.25 per share and the Global Star rights will expire worthless.
If Global Star is unable to complete a business combination by June 22, 2025 (unless Global Star obtains stockholder approval to extend the time it has to complete its initial business combination), and is forced to liquidate, the per-share liquidation distribution will be $10.25, plus interest earned on amounts held in trust that have not been used to pay for taxes. Furthermore, there will be no distribution with respect to the GLST Rights, which will expire worthless as a result of Global Star’s failure to complete a business combination.
If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we would be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities would be severely restricted and, as a result, we may abandon our efforts to consummate a business combination and liquidate the Company.
On January 24, 2024, the SEC adopted the final rules, relating to, among the others, the extent to which special purpose acquisition companies or SPACs like Global Star could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act (the “SPAC Final Rules”). The SPAC Final Rules provide that whether a SPAC is an investment company subject to the Investment Company Act is based on particular facts and circumstances. A specific duration period of a SPAC is not the sole determinant, but one of the long-standing factors to consider in determination of a SPAC’s status under the Investment Company Act. A SPAC could be deemed as an investment company at any stage of its operation. The determination of a SPAC’s status as an investment company includes analysis of a SPAC’s activities, depending upon the facts and circumstances, including but not limited to, the nature of SPAC assets and income, the activities of a SPAC’s officers, directors and employees, the duration of a SPAC, the manner a SPAC holding itself out to investors, and the merging with an investment company. The SPAC Final Rules will become effective 125 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Since the consummation of its IPO, the Company has deposited the proceeds of its IPO (including proceeds of the full exercise of over-allotment options), net of certain expenses and working capital, into the Trust Account to invest in U.S. government securities with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. As a result, it is possible that a claim could be made that the Company has been operating as an unregistered investment company. If the Company was deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, it might be forced to abandon its efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate. If the Company is required to liquidate, its investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning stock in a successor operating business, such as any appreciation in the value of the Company’s securities following such a transaction, the Company’s warrants and rights would expire worthless and shares of GLST Common Stock would have no value apart from their pro rata entitlement to the funds then-remaining in the Trust Account.
If we are deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, our activities would be severely restricted. In addition, we would be subject to additional burdensome regulatory requirements and expenses for which we have not allotted funds. As a result, unless the Company is able to modify its activities so that we would not be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may abandon our efforts to consummate a business combination and instead liquidate the Company. If we are required to liquidate the Company, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning shares or investing in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our units, shares, warrants and rights following such a transaction, and our warrants and rights would expire worthless.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we are required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our Business Combination, and results of operations.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules (the “2022 Proposed Rules”) relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. The 2022 Proposed Rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, and certain positions and legal conclusions expressed by the SEC in connection with the 2022 Proposed Rules, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our Business Combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
We have failed to maintain adequate disclosure controls and procedures which may result in material errors in our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our period reporting obligations.
As discussed in Item 9A “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 year ended December 31, 2024. We concluded that the Company is experiencing some difficulty in the accounting and reporting related to the existence of assets and corresponding income, as well as the accounting and reporting for the completeness and accuracy of our liabilities and the corresponding income and expenses which it experienced and reported as a material weakness in their last report of September 30, 2024. Additionally, the Company has not evidenced oversight of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures as of December 31, 2024. These material weaknesses in the disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024 have not been remediated and therefore our disclosure controls were not effective.
In light of the material weakness, we have made control improvements, including enhancing the efficacy of our review processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the accounting standards that apply to the treatment and reporting of related party transactions. in our financial statements. Our plans at this time also include providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our management and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding related party accounting applications. Furthermore, in light of this material weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this Report present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. We continue to evaluate steps to remediate the identified material weakness. These remediation measures may be time consuming and costly and there is no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all instances of fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Further, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that we have detected all our control deficiencies and instances of fraud, if any. The design of disclosure controls and procedures also is based partly on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
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. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal disclosure controls and procedures, such that there is a reasonable possibility that the failure to maintain, collect, process, accumulate and communicate information to management could cause untimely or inadequate disclosures in our reporting under the Exchange Act.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to remediate our existing material weakness in a timely manner, if at all, or that in the future additional material weaknesses will not exist, reoccur or otherwise be discovered, a risk that will increase as our business becomes more complex. If our efforts to remediate these material weaknesses, as described in Item 9A “Controls and Procedures”, are not successful or if other deficiencies occur, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or key operating metrics could be impaired, which could result in late filings of our annual and quarterly reports under the Exchange Act, restatements of our consolidated financial statements or other corrective disclosures. Additional impacts could include a decline in our stock price, suspension of trading or of our common stock by the Nasdaq Capital Market, or other material effects on our business, reputation, and results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. Furthermore, if we continue to have this existing material , other material or significant in the future, could create a perception that our financial results do not fairly state our financial condition or results of operations. Any of the foregoing could have an effect on the value of our stock.
Major bank failure or sustained financial market illiquidity, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face certain risks in the event of a sustained deterioration of domestic or international financial market liquidity. In particular:
We may be unable to access funds in our deposit accounts on a timely basis. Any resulting need to access other sources of liquidity or short-term borrowing would increase our costs.
In the event of a major bank failure, we could face major risks to the recovery of our bank deposits. A substantial portion of our cash and cash equivalents are either held at banks that are not subject to insurance protection againstloss or exceed the deposit insurance limit. While we are not currently aware of any liquidity issues directly impacting the financial institutions where we hold cash deposits or securities, if financial liquidity deteriorates, there can be no assurance we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Unstable market and economic conditions and adverse developments with respect to financial institutions and associated liquidity risk may have seriousadverse consequences on our business, financial condition and stock price.
The global credit and financial markets have recently experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including severelydiminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, inflationary pressure and interest rate changes, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. More recently, the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and their placement into receivership with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) created bank-specific and broader financial institution liquidity risk and concerns. Although the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the FDIC jointly confirmed that depositors at SVB and Signature Bank would continue to have access to their funds, even those in excess of the standard FDIC insurance limits, under a systemic risk exception, future adverse developments with respect to specific financial institutions or the broader financial services industry may lead to market-wide liquidity , the ability of companies to access near-term working capital needs, and create additional market and economic uncertainty. There can be no assurance that future credit and financial market and a in confidence in economic conditions will not occur. Our general business strategy may be affected by any such economic , liquidity , business environment or continued and market conditions. If the equity and credit markets , or if developments are experienced by financial institutions, it may cause short-term liquidity risk and also make any necessary debt or equity financing more , more and more dilutive. to secure any necessary financing in a timely manner and on terms could have a material effect on our growth strategy, financial performance and stock price and could require us to or our business plans. In addition, there is a risk that one or more of our current clients, financial institutions or other third parties with whom we do business may be affected by the foregoing risks, which may have an effect on our business.
We have no operating history and are subject to a mandatory liquidation and a subsequent dissolution requirement if we do not complete an initial business combination by June 22, 2025. As such, there is a risk that we will be unable to continue as a going concern if we do not consummate an initial business combination by the applicable deadline. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination by the deadline, we will be forced to liquidate.
We are a blank check company, and as we have no operating history and are subject to a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution requirement, there is a risk that we will be unable to continue as a going concern if we do not consummate an initial business combination by June 22, 2025. There can be no assurance that we will complete a business combination by this time. If we do not complete our initial business combination by June 22, 2025, we will (i) ease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and , subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
References to the “Company,” “us,” “our” or “we” refer to Global Star Acquisition Inc. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes included herein.
All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report including, without limitation, statements under this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward- looking statements. When used in this Report, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or the Company’s management, identify forward- looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward- looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in our filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on the Company’s behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the notes 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 are a blank check company incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 24, 2019, whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial business combination (the “Business Combination”). To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to the initial public offering (the “IPO”) and the completion of our Business Combination.
Our sponsor is Global Star Acquisition 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on September 19, 2022. On September 22, 2022, we consummated our IPO of 8,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, with each unit consisting of one share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), one redeemable warrant (“Warrant”), each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and one Right, with each Right entitling the holder to receive one-tenth of one share of Class A Common Stock (“Right”), generating gross proceeds of $80,000,000. On September 22, 2022, simultaneously with the consummation of the closing of the IPO, we consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 456,225 units (the “Private Placement Unit”) to the Sponsor, at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $4,562,250 (the “Private Placement”).
At the time of the IPO, the underwriters were granted a 45-day over-allotment option to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional Units to cover overallotments (the “Over-Allotment Units”). On September 30, 2022, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to purchase 1,200,000 Over-Allotment Units. On October 4, 2022, we closed on the over-allotment through the sale of 1,200,000 at Over-Allotment Units a purchase of $10.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $12,000,000.
Simultaneously with the sale of the Over-Allotment Units, the Company consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 42,000 units (the “Over- Allotment Private Placement Units” and together with the IPO Private Placement Units, the “Private Placement Units”) to the Sponsor, at a price of $10.00 per Over-Allotment Private Placement Units, generating total gross proceeds of $420,000.
A total of $94,300,000 comprised of the proceeds from the IPO and the proceeds of the Private Placement, net of the underwriting commissions, discounts, and offering expenses, was deposited in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders (the “Trust Account”). The proceeds held in the Trust Account are invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act with 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 which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to us to pay our income or other tax obligations as described in the initial public offering, the proceeds will not be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination within the time required time period.
We intend to effectuate our Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of our IPO and the Private Placement, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our Business Combination, shares which may be issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.
Special Meetings
On August 22, 2023, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “August 2023 Meeting”). At the August 2023 Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the Charter Amendment, which extends the date by which the Company must consummate its initial business combination from September 22, 2023 to June 22, 2024, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), provided the sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account a monthly amount equal to $125,000, prior to the commencement of each extension period (the “Extension”). The Company filed the Charter Amendment with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 28, 2023, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2023 and is incorporated by reference herein. At the Meeting, Stockholders holding 4,052,066 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a price of approximately $10.53 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, an aggregate of $42,680,726 was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders. Following the redemption, the Company’s remaining shares of Class A common stock outstanding were 5,147,934. The Company made 9 monthly payments of $125,000 to extend the period of time it has to consummate its initial business combination to June 22, 2024.
On June 11, 2024, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “June 2024 Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the Charter Amendment, which further extends the date by which the Company must consummate its initial business combination by an additional six-months pursuant to nine one-month extensions, from June 22, 2023 to December 22, 2024 (the “Second New Termination Date”), provided that the sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account the lesser of: (i) $60,000 and (ii) 0.02 per share for each public share that is not redeemed in connection with the June 2024 Meeting. At the June 2024 Meeting, Stockholders holding 4,010,928 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at an approximate price of $11.12 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, $44,605,448 was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders. The Company made five monthly extension payments in the Trust Account to extend the period of time it has to consummate its initial business combination to November 22, 2024.
On November 27, 2024, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “November 2024 Meeting”). As approved by its stockholders at the November 2024 Meeting, the Company entered into an amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, as amended (the “Trust Agreement”), with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”). The Trust Amendment extended the date on which Continental must commence liquidation of the Trust Account to up to June 22, 2025 (the “Third New Termination Date”), provided that the sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account the lesser of: (i) $60,000 and (ii) 0.02 per share for each public share that is not redeemed in connection with the November 2024 Meeting. At the November 2024 Meeting, Stockholders holding 756,131 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at an approximate price of $11.40 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, $8,620,940 was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders. The Company has made five monthly extension payments in the Trust Account to extend the period of time by which it has to consummate its initial business combination to May 22, 2025.
Merger Agreement
On June 15, 2023, our Company and K Enter Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “K Enter”) entered into a definitive Merger Agreement (as amended by that certain First Amendment, the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, (i) we will merge with and into K Wave Media Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, formed on June 22, 2023, and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Purchaser”), with Purchaser continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Reincorporation Merger”) and (ii) GLST Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation, formed on June 12, 2023 and wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (the “Merger Sub”) will merge with and into K Enter, with K Enter surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser (the “Acquisition Merger”). The Reincorporation Merger, the Acquisition Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, together, are referred to herein as the “Proposed Business Combination”. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the parent of the combined company will be named “K Wave Media Ltd.” and we expect that the securities of the parent of the combined company will be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market.
Merger Consideration
Upon the effective time of the Reincorporation Merger, (i) each issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”), other than Company Common Stock that are owned by the Company as treasury shares or any Company Common Stock owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, will be converted automatically into one ordinary share of the Purchaser (the “Purchaser Ordinary Share”), and (ii) each issued and outstanding warrant of the Company will convert automatically into a warrant to purchase one Purchaser Ordinary Share at a price of $11.50 per whole share (the “Purchaser Warrant”), (iii) each issued and outstanding right of the Company shall convert automatically into a right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one Purchaser Ordinary Share at the closing of a business combination (the “Purchaser Right”), and (iv) each issued and outstanding unit of the Company shall separate and convert automatically into one Purchaser Ordinary Share, one Purchaser Warrant and one Purchaser Right. Each of the Purchaser Warrants and Purchaser Rights shall have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable agreements governing the warrants of the Company and the rights of the Company, respectively. At the closing of the Reincorporation Merger, all common stock, warrants, rights, units, and other securities of the Company shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist.
Upon the closing of the Acquisition Merger, (i) each share of K Enter capital stock, if any, that is owned by Company or Merger Sub (or any other subsidiary of Company) or K Enter (as treasury stock or otherwise), will automatically be cancelled and retired without any conversion, (ii) each share of K Enter preferred stock issued and outstanding shall be deemed converted into shares of K Enter common stock, (iii) each share of K Enter common stock issued and outstanding, including shares of K Enter common stock deemed outstanding as a result of the mandatory conversion of K Enter preferred stock, shall be converted into the right to receive a number of Purchaser Ordinary Shares equal to the Conversion Ratio, and (iv) each share of Merger Sub common stock issued and outstanding shall be converted into and become one newly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of K Enter common stock. Conversion Ratio means the quotient obtained by dividing (a) 59,000,000 Purchaser Ordinary Shares, by (b) the Aggregate Fully Diluted K Enter Common Shares. Aggregate Fully Diluted K Enter Common Shares means the sum of (a) all shares of K Enter common stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing; plus (b) the aggregate shares of K Enter common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of K Enter preferred stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing; plus (c) the aggregate shares of K Enter common stock issuable upon full conversion, exercise or exchange of any other securities of K Enter outstanding immediately prior to the Closing directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for K Enter.
Conditions to Closing
The Closing is subject to certain customary conditions, including, among other things, (i) approval by the Company’s stockholders of the Merger Agreement and related proposals, (ii) approval by K Enter’s shareholders of the Merger Agreement, (iii) the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by Purchaser relating to the Business Combination, which will contain a proxy statement of the Company in connection with its solicitation for proxies for the vote by stockholders of the Company in connection with the Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, (iv) the approval for Purchaser’s initial listing application with Nasdaq or an alternate exchange, (v) the Company having at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets, (vi) the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties, except generally as would not have a Material Adverse Effect and in the case of certain fundamental representations, in all material respects, (vii) compliance by each party with pre-closing covenants in all material respects, (viii) the absence of any legal restraints or injunctionsenjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Business Combination, (ix) the receipt, expiration or termination of applicable government approvals and antitrust waiting periods, (x) the Reincorporation Merger has been consummated and the applicable certificates has filed in the appropriate jurisdictions, (xi) the acquisition of certain entities of the Six Korean Entities have been consummated, and (xii) the Purchaser and Merger Sub having entered into a joinder to the merger agreement.
Covenants, Representations and Warranties
The parties to the Merger Agreement have made covenants that are customary for transactions of this nature, including, among others, obligations on (i) the parties to conduct, as applicable, their respective businesses in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice through the Closing, (ii) the parties to not initiate any negotiations or enter into any agreements for certain alternative transactions, (iii) the Company and Purchaser to jointly prepare the Registration Statement, and Purchaser to file the Registration Statement, and the Company to take certain other actions for the Company to obtain the requisite approval of stockholders of the Company of certain proposals regarding the Business Combination, and (v) the Company to exercise its right to extend its deadline to complete its initial business combination.
The parties to the Merger Agreement have made representations and warranties that are customary for transactions of this nature. The representations and warranties of the respective parties to the Merger Agreement generally will not survive the Closing.
Termination
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by either K Enter or the Company under certain circumstances, including, among others, (i) by written consent of both K Enter or the Company, (ii) by either K Enter or the Company if the Closing has not occurred by the earlier of June 22, 2024 and the material breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation by the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement was not the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before June 22, 2024, (iii) by either K Enter or the Company if the Business Combination is permanently enjoined, prohibited or prevented by the terms of a final, non-appealable governmental order, (iv) by either K Enter or the Company if the other party has materially breached their respective representations or covenants under the Merger Agreement and has not timey cured such breach.
Following the termination of the Merger Agreement, there shall be no liability on the part of any party except for certain provisions that survive the termination.
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, copy of which, is filed as Exhibit 2.1 in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2023.
Lock-Up Agreement
At the Closing, Purchaser, Global Star Acquisition 1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), certain former stockholders of K Enter (such stockholders, the “Target Holders”), and other persons and entities (collectively, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”), will enter into lock-up agreements (the “Lock-Up Agreements”) with respect to the Purchaser Ordinary Shares and Purchaser Warrants held by the Sponsor immediately following the Closing, and the Purchaser Ordinary Shares held by the Target Holders immediately following the Closing (the “Lock-Up Shares”), pursuant to which, each Holder agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Lock-Up Shares during the application lock-up period, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement. Lock-up period means, (i) with respect to 50% of the Lock-up Shares, the earlier of (A) six months after the Closing and (B) the date on which the closing price of the Purchaser’s Ordinary Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, rights issuances, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after the date hereof and (ii) with respect to the remaining 50% Lock-up Shares (or Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion thereof), six months after the Closing.
The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Lock-Up Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2023.
Registration Rights Agreement
The Merger Agreement contemplates that, at the Closing, the Purchaser, the Sponsor, certain former stockholders of the Company (such stockholders, together with the Sponsor, the “Company Holders”), and certain former stockholders of K Enter, will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which Purchaser will be obligated to file a registration statement to register the resale, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of certain securities of Purchaser held by the parties to the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement will also provide the Sponsor, the Company Holders, the Target Holders with unlimited “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions.
The Registration Rights Agreement amends and restates the registration rights agreement that was entered into by the Company, the Sponsor and the other parties thereto in connection with the Company’s initial public offering. The Registration Rights Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (a) the five year anniversary of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (b) with respect to any holder, on the date that such holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities (as defined therein).
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2023.
Joinder Agreement
A form of Joinder Agreement was included as an exhibit to the Merger Agreement to be executed by Purchaser and Merger Sub, following their formation, to bind them to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. On July 13, 2023, the Purchaser and the Merger Sub executed the Joinder Agreement by and between the Company, K Enter, the Purchaser and Merger Sub. Pursuant to the Joinder Agreement, the Purchaser and Merger Sub agreed to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Joinder Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Joinder Agreement, copy of which, or the form of which, is filed as Exhibit 10.1 on the Company’s Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on July 18, 2023.
Purchase Agreement
In connection with this Merger Agreement, on July 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company, K Enter, and Global Star Acquisition I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, K Enter purchased from the Sponsor 160,000 shares of Class B common stock (“the SPAC Securities”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1,600,000 (the “Purchase Price”), which was payable within 10 days from the effective date of the Purchase Agreement.
In addition to the payment of the Purchase Price, K Enter acknowledged that (x) it is an accredited investor as defined by Rule 501 of the Securities Act, (y) and has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and in investments of this type and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the SPAC Securities and of making an informed investment decision. K Enter further acknowledged and agreed that the SPAC Securities: (a) are subject to limitations on transfer, (b) are being acquired pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act with no present intention to distribute them to any person in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable U.S. state, (c) will not be sold except in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable U.S. state securities laws, and in accordance with any limitations set forth in any applicable lock-up agreements applicable to the SPAC Securities.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 17, 2023.
First Amendment
On March 11, 2024, the Company, K Enter, Purchaser, and Merger Sub entered into a First Amendment to the Merger Agreement (the “First Amendment”) to amend certain of the terms of the Merger Agreement. The First Amendment (i) reduces the base value of the merger consideration to be received by Company shareholders from $610 million to $590 million, and (ii) removes in its entirety respective references to the “Share Purchase Agreement” dated April 12, 2023 with certain sellers of First Virtual Lab Inc. from its disclosure schedules and includes the “Termination Agreement and Re-Purchase Option Agreement, dated March 5, 2024, by and among Sungkwon Kim, King Bear Film LLC and K Enter Holdings Inc” to the disclosure schedule. Pursuant to Section 141(f) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and Section 4.5 of the Company’s bylaws, the board approved and authorized the First Amendment on March 11, 2024. The board obtained an updated fairness opinion with respect to the First Amendment. The modification in the purchase consideration was made in connection with the cessation of the planned acquisition of a majority equity stake in First Virtual Lab Inc.
The foregoing description of the First Amendment is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.
Second, Third and Fourth Amendment
On June 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Second BCA Amendment”), by and among K Enter, K Wave Media Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “K Wave Media Ltd.”), and GLST Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “GLST Merger Sub Inc.”) to extend the outside date by which the parties’ must consummate the business combination. Other than the extension of the date to December 22, 2024, by which we must consummate a business combination, all of the terms, covenants, agreements, and conditions of the BCA remain in full force and effect in accordance with its original terms. On July 25, 2024, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to the Business Combination Agreement (the “Third BCA Amendment”), by and among K Enter, K Wave Media Ltd., and GLST Merger Sub Inc. to amend the conditions to the parties’ obligations to consummate the business combination. Other than the amendment to the condition to the obligations of the parties whereby K Enter must complete its acquisition of the controlling equity interests of (1) Play Company Co. Ltd., (2) Solaire Partners LLC, (3) Apeitda Co., Ltd., (4) The LAMP Co., Ltd., (5) Bidangil Pictures Co., Ltd., and (6) Studio Anseilen Co., Ltd., all of the terms, covenants, agreements, and conditions of the BCA remain in full force and effect in accordance with its original terms. On December 11, 2024, Global Star, K Enter, PubCo and Merger Sub entered into the Fourth Amendment to Merger Agreement (the “Fourth BCA Amendment”), which extended the outside date for the parties to consummate the closing of the Business Combination from December 22, 2024 to June 22, 2025.
The foregoing description of the Second BCA Amendment, Third BCA Amendment, and Fourth BCA Amendment (the “BCA Amendments”) do not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the BCA Amendments, copies of which, are filed as Exhibit 2.1 and 2.2 in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 31, 2024, and as Annex A to the DEFM14A filed with the SEC on January 8, 2025.
Results of Operations
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from July 24, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2024, relates to organizational activities and identifying a target company for a business combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial Business Combination, at the earliest. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents from the proceeds derived from the IPO. The Company has selected December 31 as its fiscal year end. We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our Business Combination. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete our Business Combination will be successful.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had net loss of $768,551, which consists of operating costs of $2,091,648, which primarily consist of legal, professional and advisory fees as well as insurance expense, provision for income taxes of $358,878 and amortization of deferred finance cost of $58,855, offset by interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $1,722,436 and interest income – bank of $18,394.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had net income of $1,044,077, which consists of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of $3,942,920 and interest income – bank of $23,833 offset by operating costs of $2,126,947, which primarily consist of legal, professional and advisory fees as well as insurance expense, and a provision for income taxes of $795,729. The increase in the operating costs compared to 2022 is largely due to the merger and acquisition activities undertaken by the Company.
Franchise and Income Tax Withdrawals from Trust Account
Since completion of its IPO on September 22, 2022, and through December 31, 2024, the Company withdrew $1,794,938 from the Trust Account to pay its liabilities related to income and Delaware franchise taxes. Through December 31, 2024, the Company remitted $1,288,941 to the respective tax authorities, with the difference of $505,997 to be remitted as Company’s tax obligations become due. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had accrued but unpaid income tax liability of $324,943 and accrued but unpaid Delaware franchise tax liability of $131,798.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern
On September 22, 2022, we consummated our Initial Public Offering of 8,000,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $80,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of our Initial Public Offering, we consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 456,225 Private Placement Units to our Sponsor at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $4,562,250. On October 4, 2022, we closed on the over-allotment through the sale of 1,200,000 Units at a purchase of $10.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $12.0 million, and simultaneously with the exercise of the overallotment, we consummated the Private Placement of an additional 42,000 Private Placement Units to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $420,000. A total of $96,982,250 was generated from our IPO.
Transaction costs amounted to $4,788,510 consisting of $920,000 of underwriting fees (net of underwriter reimbursements), $3,220,000 of deferred underwriting fees payable, which are held in a trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee (the “Trust Account”) and $648,510 of other offering costs related to the Initial Public Offering. The underwriters were also issued 115,000 shares of Class A common stock as representative shares, in connection with the IPO. Upon close of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recorded additional issuance costs of $79,338, the grant date fair value of the shares, with an offset to additional paid-in capital. As described in Note 6 — Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report, the $3,220,000 deferred underwriting fees are contingent upon the consummation of the Business Combination within 12 months (or up to 27 months from the closing of the IPO at the election of the company in fifteen one-month extensions) from the closing of the Initial Public Offering.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $510,939 of cash on our balance sheet, which is restricted for payment of Company’s taxes and a working capital deficit of $5,017,714. We intend to use the funds held outside of the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition 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 acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. The interest income earned on the investments in the Trust Account are unavailable to fund operating expenses.
As previously disclosed on July 31, 2023, in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC, we issued a promissory note (the “Sponsor Working Capital Loan”) in the principal amount of $1,600,000 to our Sponsor. The Note was issued in connection with a $1,600,000 loan the Sponsor has made to us for working capital expenses. If we complete the Business Combination, we would repay the Note out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. Otherwise, the Note would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay the Note but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay the Note. At the election of the Sponsor, up to $1,500,000 of the unpaid principal amount of the Note may be converted into units of the Company at a price of $10.00 per unit (the “Conversion Units”) in lieu of cash repayment. The principal balance of the Note is payable by us on the later of: (i) December 31, 2023, or (ii) the date on which we consummate a Business Combination. No interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the Note. $1,596,000 is drawn and outstanding under the Note as of December 31, 2024.
On April 15, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note to the Sponsor in an amount of up to $1,000,000 for working capital needs. The note bears no interest and shall be payable by the Maker on the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2024 or (ii) the date on which Maker consummates an initial public offering of its securities. The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. As of December 31, 2024 $982,000 was drawn and outstanding under the promissory note.
On November 20, 2024, the Company amended the terms of the promissory note to allow conversion of up to $1,000,000 into Class B Common Stock of the Company at a price of $10.00 per unit in lieu of cash repayment, effective immediately prior to the Business Combination.
The issuance of the Note was made pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
If the Company does not complete the Business Combination by May 22, 2025, (or by June 22, 2025, in the event the Company extends the term to the fullest) the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.
If the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by May 22, 2025, (or by June 22, 2025, in the event the Company extends the term to the fullest) there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution of the Company. In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern,” the Company has determined that the liquidity condition due to insufficient working capital and mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and potential subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year from the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after 12 months from the closing of the Public Offering. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary, if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Special Meetings, Extension and Trust Withdrawal from Trust Account
On August 22, 2023, we held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “August 2023 Meeting”). At the Meeting, our stockholders approved the Charter Amendment, which extends the date by which the Company must consummate its initial business combination by an additional nine-months pursuant to nine one-month extensions, from September 22, 2023 to June 22, 2024 (the “First New Termination Date”), subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), provided the sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account a monthly amount equal to $125,000, prior to the commencement of each extension period (the “Extension”). We filed the Charter Amendment with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 28, 2023, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 in the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 28, 2023 and is incorporated by reference herein. At the Meeting, Stockholders holding 4,052,066 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at an approximate price of $10.53 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, an aggregate of $42,680,726 was withdrawn from the Trust Account to pay such holders. Following the redemption, our remaining shares of Class A common stock outstanding were 5,147,934.
On June 11, 2024, we held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “June 2024 Meeting”). At the Meeting, our stockholders approved the Charter Amendment, which further extends the date by which the Company must consummate its initial business combination by an additional six-months pursuant to six one-month extensions, from June 22, 2024 to December 22, 2024 (the “Second New Termination Date”), provided that the sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account approximately $22,740 prior to the commencement of each extension period. At the June 2024 Meeting, Stockholders holding 4,010,928 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at an approximate price of $11.12 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, $44,605,448 was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders.
On November 27, 2024, we held a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “November 2024 Meeting”). As approved by its stockholders at the November 2024 Meeting, the we entered into an amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, as amended (the “Trust Agreement”), with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”). The Trust Amendment extended the date on which Continental must commence liquidation of the Trust Account to up to June 22, 2025 (the “Third New Termination Date”), provided that our sponsor or its designees deposit into the trust account the lesser of: (i) $60,000 and (ii) 0.02 per share for each public share that is not redeemed in connection with the November 2024 Meeting. At the November 2024 Meeting, Stockholders holding 756,131 shares of common stock exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at an approximate price of $11.40 per share of the funds in the Trust Account. As a result, $8,620,940 was removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders. We have made five monthly extension payments in the Trust Account to extend the period of time by which it has to consummate its initial business combination to May 22, 2025.
We have until May 22, 2025 (or up to June 22, 2025, in the event we extend the term to the fullest), to consummate a Business Combination. If we do not complete our initial business combination by June 22, 2024, or (i) as extended by our stockholders in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any founder shares and placement shares held by them if we fail to complete our initial business combination prior to the Third New Termination date, the public stockholders will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame. Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following the Third New Termination Date unless our initial business combination shall have occurred earlier and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our public stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash of $510,939 in our operating bank accounts, $4,374,657 of cash held in the Trust Account to be used for an initial Business Combination or to repurchase or redeem stock in connection therewith and a working capital deficit of $5,017,714.
We may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsor or our stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. Our officers and directors, the Sponsor or their affiliates may but are not obligated to loan us funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet our working capital needs. Based on the foregoing, we do not believe we will have sufficient cash to meet our needs through the earlier of consummation of a Business Combination or June 22, 2024, or such earlier date as determine by our board of directors, the deadline to complete a Business Combination pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (unless otherwise amended by stockholders).
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets, or liabilities, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2024. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay the Sponsor a monthly fee up to $10,000 for office space, utilities, and secretarial and administrative support services. We began incurring these fees on September 22, 2022 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of the Business Combination and our liquidation.
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $3,220,000 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with the Business Combination, our Sponsor extended to us a line of credit of up to $1,600,000 pursuant to a Promissory Note dated July 31, 2023 (“Sponsor Working Capital Loan”). Such Sponsor Working Capital Loan is without interest and is to be repaid on the later of (i) December 31, 2023 or (ii) upon the consummation of a Business Combination. The Sponsor in its sole discretion may elect to convert up to $1,500,000 amount of the Sponsor Working Capital Loan into the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share in lieu of cash repayment. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loan, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Sponsor Working Capital Loans.
Agreements with Service Providers
From time to time the Company has entered into and may enter into agreements with various services providers and advisors, including investment banks, to help us identify targets, negotiate terms of potential Business Combinations, consummate a Business Combination and/or provide other services. In connection with these agreements, the Company may be required to pay such service providers and advisors fees in connection with their services to the extent that certain conditions, including the closing of a potential Business Combination, are met. If a Business Combination does not occur, the Company would not expect to be required to pay these contingent fees. There can be no assurance that the Company will complete a Business Combination.
On September 24, 2023, the Company has engaged EF Hutton, division of Benchmark Investments, LLC (“EF Hutton”) to act as the exclusive placement agent (“Placement Agent”) for the Company, in connection with the proposed offering by private placement of equity or equity-linked securities in the form of a PIPE, forward purchase arrangement or similar type of equity line financing (the “Placement”) to “qualified institutional buyers” as such term is defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and to the institutional accredited investors as such term is defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of the Company’s equity or equity-linked securities, including warrants, options or other rights to purchase such securities (collectively, the “Securities”). In case of successful Placements, a non-refundable cash placement fee (the “Placement Fee”), payable at each closing of a Placement, in an amount equal to seven percent (7.0%), as well as foreign placement fee of 1%, and reduced placement fee of 1% of the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of all Securities in the Placement would be due and payable to EF Hutton.
On November 27, 2023, the Company engaged MZHCI, LLC, a MZ Group Company (“MZHCI”) as its public relations consultant starting from January 1, 2024 (the “MZHCI Agreement”). According to terms of the MZHCI Agreement, MZHCI will be paid a monthly fee of $10,000 through May 2024, which was updated to $5,000 starting from June 2024 for its services for the period of the Proposed Business Combination. Subsequent to the closing of the Proposed Business Combination monthly fee will increase to $14,000 (subject to 5% cost of living adjustment) upon closing of the Proposed Business Combination. In addition, upon successfulclosing of the Proposed Business Combination, the Company will issue to MZHCI $150,000 worth of the Company’s restricted stock as valued on the first day of trading post-closing.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted principles, which require management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations would be affected. We base our estimates on our own historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable taking into account our circumstances and future expectations based on the available information. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis.
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if (i) the accounting estimate requires to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time when the accounting estimate was made; and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material amount on our financial condition or results of operations. In the preparation of the financials statements for the year ended 2024 we had critical estimates related to the valuation of fair value of the amended promissory note entered into in 2024.
There are other items in our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed to be critical, as defined above.
For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies and related judgements, see Note 2– Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation in the Notes to the consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
Warrant Classification
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the IPO. Company account for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to our of common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants are remeasured at each balance sheet date with the change in the estimated fair value of the warrants recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statements of operations. We have analyzed the Public Warrants and Private Placement Warrants and determined they are considered to be freestanding instruments and do not exhibit any of the characteristics in ASC 480 and therefore are not classified as liabilities under ASC 480.
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable shares of Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that features redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. Our Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, Class A common stock subject to possible redemption is presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ deficit section of our consolidated balance sheets.
Share-Based Payment Arrangements
We measure and recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments on their estimated fair values measured as of the grant date. These costs are recognized as an expense in the statements of operations upon vesting, once the applicable performance conditions are met, with an offsetting increase to additional paid-in capital. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.
Net (Loss) Income per Common Share
Net (loss) income per common share of common stock is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding during the period. Subsequent measurement of the redeemable shares of Class A common stock is excluded from (loss) income per ordinary share as the redemption value approximates fair value. We calculate our earnings per share to allocate net (loss) income pro rata to shares of Class A and Class B common stock. This presentation contemplates a Business Combination as the most likely outcome, in which case, both classes of common stock share pro rata in the (loss) income of our Company.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carry forwards. ASC 740 additionally requires a valuation allowance to be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. We also recognized accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. We have identified the United States as our only “major” tax jurisdiction. We are subject to income taxation by major taxing authorities since inception. These examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. We do not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
Recent Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09), which requires disclosure of incremental income tax information within the rate reconciliation and expanded disclosures of income taxes paid, among other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s management does not believe the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
