株探米国株
英語
エドガーで原本を確認する
20-F 1 ea0208141-20f_crownlng.htm SHELL COMPANY REPORT

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

(Mark One)

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended __________

 

OR

 

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

 

OR

 

☒ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report: July 9, 2024

 

Commission File Number: 001-42162

 

 

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Not applicable   Jersey, Channel Islands

(Translation of Registrant’s

name into English)

 

(Jurisdiction of incorporation

or organization)

 

3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade

St. Helier, Jersey

JE4 9WG

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Copy to:

Swapan Kataria

Chief Executive Officer

3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade

St. Helier, Jersey

JE4 9WG

Telephone: +47 980 25 359

(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

 

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary shares, no par value per share   CGBS   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each exercisable to purchase one ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   CGBSW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

 

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the shell company report:

 

On July 15, 2024, the issuer had 68,979,384 ordinary shares, no par value per share outstanding.

 

 


 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer  
             
        Emerging growth company  

 

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

 

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐ 

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP ☐ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☒ Other ☐

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☐

 

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE iii
   
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS vii
   
PART I 1
       
ITEM 1.   IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 1
       
A.   Directors and Senior Management 1
       
B.   Advisers 1
       
C.   Auditors 1
       
ITEM 2.   OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 1
       
ITEM 3.   KEY INFORMATION 1
       
A.   [Reserved.] 1
       
B.   Capitalization and Indebtedness 1
       
C.   Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds 2
       
D.   Risk Factors 2
       
ITEM 4.   INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 4
       
A.   History and Development of the Company 4
       
B.   Business Overview 4
       
C.   Organizational Structure 4
       
D.   Property, Plants and Equipment  
       
ITEM 5.   OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 5
       
ITEM 6.   DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 5
       
A.   Directors and Senior Management 5
       
B.   Compensation 5
       
C.   Board Practices 9
       
D.   Employees 9
       
E.   Share Ownership 9
       
ITEM 7.   MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 10
       
A.   Major Shareholders 10
       
B.   Related Party Transactions 11
       
C.   Interests of Experts and Counsel 11

 

i


 

ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION 11
       
A.   Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information 11
       
B.   Significant Changes 11
     
ITEM 9.   THE OFFER AND LISTING 11
       
A.   Offer and Listing Details 11
       
B.   Plan of Distribution 12
       
C.   Markets 12
       
D.   Selling Shareholders 12
       
E.   Dilution 12
       
F.   Expenses of the Issue 12
       
ITEM 10.   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 12
       
A.   Share Capital 12
       
B.   Memorandum and Articles of Association 12
       
C.   Material Contracts 12
       
D.   Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders 12
       
E.   Taxation 13
       
F.   Dividends and Paying Agents 13
       
G.   Statement by Experts 13
       
H.   Documents on Display 13
       
I.   Subsidiary Information 13
       
ITEM 11.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS 13
       
ITEM 12.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 13
   
PART II 14
   
PART III 15
       
ITEM 17.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15
       
ITEM 18.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15

 

ii


 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

On July 9, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (“Pubco” or the “Company”), consummated the previously announced business combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement dated as of August 3, 2023 (as amended, the “BCA”), by and among the Company, Catcha Investment Corp, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Catcha”), CGT Merge II Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Merger Sub”), and Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (“Crown”).

 

The following transactions occurred pursuant to the terms of the BCA (collectively, the “Business Combination”):

 

  Merger Sub merged with and into Catcha (the “Merger”), with Catcha surviving as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of PubCo;

 

in connection with the Merger, each (a) issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Catcha (“Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares”) was converted into the right to receive one newly issued ordinary share, no par value, of PubCo (together, the “PubCo Ordinary Shares” and each individually, a “PubCo Ordinary Share”), (b) issued and outstanding Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Catcha (“Catcha Class B Ordinary Shares”) was converted into the right to receive one newly issued PubCo Ordinary Share, (c) outstanding and unexercised public and private placement warrant of Catcha was converted into one warrant of PubCo (“PubCo Warrants”) that entitles the holder thereof to purchase one PubCo Ordinary Share in lieu of one Catcha Class A Ordinary Share and otherwise upon substantially the same terms and conditions; and

 

following the Merger, subject to the terms and procedures set forth under the Business Combination Agreement, the Crown Shareholders (as defined in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus) transferred to PubCo, and PubCo acquired from the Crown Shareholders, all of the ordinary shares of Crown held by the shareholders in exchange for the issuance of PubCo Ordinary Shares. 

 

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, Pubco completed the issuance of securities pursuant to the financing agreements as described below and received aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7.9 million therefrom on or around the Closing Date.

 

Financing Agreements

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes issuable upon closing of the business combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo Ordinary Shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 270th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with a certain accredited investor (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, at consummation of the Business Combination, the Purchaser purchased an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

iii


 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placement with certain accredited investors who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, at consummation of the Business Combination, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers purchased an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

The PIPE Subscription Agreements contain customary representations and warranties of Catcha, PubCo, the Purchaser, and the Existing Shareholder Purchasers, and customary conditions to closing, as well as customary indemnification obligations. Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreements, PubCo has agreed to register the resale of the PIPE Shares and is required to prepare and file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than thirty days following the closing date of the Business Combination.

 

The closing of the PIPE Subscription Agreements took place concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Securities Lending Agreement

 

On May 22, 2024, Pubco entered into a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with Millennia Capital Partners Limited (the “Lender”) pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million (the “Loan”) at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of shares of Crown pledged to the Lender (“Transferred Collateral”). “Loan to Value” means the ratio of the Loan to the value of the Transferred Collateral, calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the fair market value of the Transferred Collateral. The Loan matures thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Lending Agreement) and bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0% to be paid quarterly.

 

As of the Closing Date, there has not been any amounts drawn down pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreement.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to approximately USD$20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in the description below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue the SPA Notes and warrants (the “Warrants”) to the Investor across multiple tranches (the “Tranches”) consisting of an initial tranche (the “Initial Tranche”) of (i) an aggregate principal amount of $2.95 million and including an original issue discount (“OID”) of up to an aggregate of $442,500, plus Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts (defined as 50% of the principal amount of each issued Tranche, divided by $10). The second tranche (the “Second Tranche”) consists of an aggregate principal amount of SPA Notes of up to $2.95 million and including an OID of up to $442,500 and Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranche. The Securities Purchase Agreement contemplates up to five subsequent Tranches, each of which will be in an aggregate principal amount of SPA Notes of $2.95 million each and each including an OID of $442,5000 and Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranches. The purchase price of an SPA Note and its accompanying Warrant will be computed by subtracting the portion of the OID represented by such SPA Note from the portion of the principal amount represented by such SPA Note (a “Purchase Price”).

 

The Closing of the purchase of each Tranche shall be subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to:

 

  (a) Initial Tranche. Closing of the Initial Tranche occurred on closing of the Business Combination

 

(b) The Second Tranche. Closing of the Second Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date of the Initial Tranche and (ii) such date as the Notes and Warrants issuable in such Tranche may be resold pursuant to an effective registration statement pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act.

 

iv


 

(c) Third and Fourth Tranches.

 

a. Closing of each such Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 and (ii) the lesser of (x) two and one half times the median of the value of shares traded over each of the thirty (30) Trading Days preceding the Closing Day for such Tranche, and (y) $2.95 million, and

 

b. the Closing Date of such Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date of the previous Tranche and (ii) such date as the Company and the Investor shall mutually agree.

 

(d) Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Tranches. Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall occur on such date as the Company and the Investor shall mutually agree, if at all; provided that the Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 and (ii) the lesser of (x) two and one half times the median of the value of shares traded over each of the 30 Trading Days preceding the Closing Date for such Tranche, and (y) $2.95 million.

 

Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC. acted as placement agent to Pubco for the facility described above.

 

Non-Redemption Agreements

 

On June 20, 2024, Catcha entered into non-redemption agreements (the “Non-Redemption Agreements”) with one or more investors (each, a “Backstop Investor”), each acting on behalf of certain funds, investors, entities or accounts that are managed, sponsored or advised by each such Backstop Investor or its affiliates. Pursuant to the Non-Redemption Agreements, the Backstop Investors agreed that, on or prior to closing of the Business Combination, the Backstop Investors will rescind or reverse their previous election to redeem an aggregate of up to approximately 800,000 Catcha ordinary shares (the “Backstop Shares”), which redemption requests were made in connection with Catcha’s extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 12, 2024. Upon consummation of the Business Combination,  Catcha paid or caused to be paid to each Backstop Investor a payment in respect of its respective Backstop Shares in cash released from Catcha’s trust account in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Backstop Shares and (y) $2.075, which is equal to (A) the price per share for a pro rata portion of the amount on deposit in the trust account, less (B) $9.50.

 

Fee Deferrals, Share Transfers and Other Transaction Expense Reductions

 

Transaction Expense Reduction

 

Prior to the closing of the Business Combination, PubCo, Catcha, Crown and Catcha Holdings LLC (“Sponsor”) entered into several agreements with service providers (the “Service Providers”) to Catcha and Crown in connection with the Business Combination, resulting in a reduction of the aggregate transaction expenses otherwise payable thereby at closing (the “Transaction Expense Reduction”).

 

Founder Share Transfers

 

On July 8, 2024, Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 6,511,627 Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares (“Catcha Shares”) to third parties who provided financing in connection with the Business Combination, Transaction Expense Reduction as well as settlement of liabilities, including on behalf of Crown. This includes 1,500,000 Catcha Shares as commitment shares to the Investor in consideration for its entry into the Securities Purchase Agreement described above, 550,000 Catcha Shares to Chardan Capital Markets LLC as consideration for an advisory service fee due to Chardan Capital Markets LLC, 1,350,000 Catcha Shares to other Service Providers to Catcha in partial consideration for the Transaction Expense Reduction, including fee deferrals, and 3,111,627 Catcha Shares to certain investors in consideration for providing financing to Crown and Catcha, including providing the Transferred Collateral securing the Securities Lending Agreement described above, and settlement of certain liabilities. The Catcha Shares were exchanged for PubCo Ordinary Shares in the Business Combination, in a transaction registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended pursuant to PubCo’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2024 (File No. 333-274832) and, accordingly, may be freely transferred without restrictions under the Securities Act by the recipients thereof.

 

The agreements with certain of the Service Providers provide that, if the Service Provider sells the Service Provider Shares for proceeds equal to an agreed upon amount, then such Service Provider shall return any remaining Service Provider Shares to Sponsor.

 

Vendor Promissory Notes for Fee Deferrals

 

From June 18, 2024 to June 26, 2024, Pubco issued five convertible promissory notes to the vendors Ernst & Young Advokatfirma AS, Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS, Ernst & Young AS, Ogier (Jersey) LLP, and Nelson Mullins Riley Scarborough LLP (each a “Vendor,” and collectively, the “Vendors”), agreeing to defer payment for services provided (the “Convertible Vendor Notes”). The aggregate principal amount for all the Convertible Vendor Notes is approximately $5.0 million, bearing interest at 12% per annum. The Convertible Vendor Notes provides that twenty to fifty percent of the principal amount is payable within 30 days after the Closing Date, depending on Vendor. The remaining unpaid principal amount for each Convertible Vendor Note shall be increased by 20%, and payable in equal installments each quarter ending date subsequent to the Closing Date, from between one year and up to five years, depending on Vendor. If Pubco raises additional capital after Close, Pubco will use best endeavors to pay any outstanding principal under the Convertible Vendor Notes.

 

v


 

All the Convertible Vendor Notes provides that upon occurrence of a default, at the option of the Vendor any amounts outstanding under the Convertible Vendor Note may be converted into ordinary shares of at a conversion price equal to the VWAP Price: (i) on the date that is one hundred fifty (150) days following the Closing Date (the “Initial Election Date”), up to an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding principal amount of this Note; and (ii) on each thirty (30) day anniversary following the Initial Election Date (each such anniversary together with the Initial Election Date, each, an “Election Date”) up to an additional ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Vendor Note (collectively, the “Conversion Rights”); provided that (i) the foregoing calculation of the aggregate amount available to be converted into Shares pursuant to the Conversion Rights assumes that there has been no prior payment of the principal of the Convertible Vendor Note and (ii) any amounts that were otherwise available to be converted pursuant to the Conversion Rights on an Election Date that were not so converted shall remain available for conversion pursuant to the Conversion Rights on subsequent Election Dates until so converted. A default is constituted in the event of (i) failure by Pubco to pay any portions of the principal amount within five (5) business days after the dates specified in the Convertible Vendor Notes or issue shares pursuant to the Vendor Notes, if so, elected by the Vendor; (ii) voluntary bankruptcy; and (iii) involuntary bankruptcy.

 

In addition, on July 9, 2024, PubCo also issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $3.5 million to another Service Provider to Crown and Catcha, with such amounts representing deferrals of fees owed thereto. Such Promissory Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, subject to Crown’s option to defer 50% thereof as paid-in-kind, with principal due thereunder payable at maturity on the 18-month anniversary of the issuance thereof. There is no conversion feature provided for under such Promissory Notes.

 

Amendments to Material Agreements

 

In connection with the foregoing, PubCo, Catcha and Sponsor entered into certain amendments to material agreements previously disclosed in the Registration Statement, as described below.

 

Agreements with Polar

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo, Catcha, Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”) entered into an Amendment (the “March Amendment”) to the March 2023 Subscription Agreement, which was originally entered into between Catcha, Sponsor and Polar, pursuant to which Polar provided $300,000 to Catcha (the “March Capital Contribution”) for working capital purposes.

 

Pursuant to this Amendment, PubCo, Catcha and the Sponsor jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay, as a return of capital, an amount equal to the March Capital Contribution funded by Polar to Catcha within five (5) business days of the Closing of the Business Combination, by:

 

A) Issuance of a convertible promissory note by the Company in favor of Polar or its nominee, with consideration for such note equal to 50% of the March Capital Contribution; and

 

B) Payment in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to 50% of the March Capital Contribution.

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo, Catcha, Sponsor and Polar entered into an Amendment (the “October Amendment”) to the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, which was originally entered into between Catcha, Sponsor and Polar, pursuant to which Polar provided $750,000 to Catcha (the “October Capital Contribution”) for working capital purposes.

 

vi


 

Pursuant to this Amendment, PubCo, Catcha and the Sponsor jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay, as a return of capital, an amount equal to the October Capital Contribution funded by Polar to Catcha within five (5) business days of the Closing of the Business Combination, by:

 

A) Issuance of a convertible promissory note by the Company in favor of Polar or its nominee, with consideration for such note equal to 50% of the October Capital Contribution; and

 

B) Payment in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to 50% of the October Capital Contribution.

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo and Polar entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which PubCo shall issue Promissory Notes for an aggregate purchase price of up to $525,000, divided into two separate notes, with an aggregate principal amount of $583,334, reflecting original issue discount of 10%. The issuance of such Promissory Notes was in satisfaction of 50% of the payment due upon the Closing of the Business Combination under the March Amendment and the October Amendment, as described above, with no additional amount paid by Polar.

 

CCM Amendment Agreement

 

On June 25, 2024, Cohen & Company Capital Markets division (“CCM”), Catcha and PubCo entered into an Amendment (“CCM Amendment”) to the Engagement Letter, which was originally entered into between CCM and Catcha on May 18, 2023. Pursuant to the CCM Amendment, the fees contemplated in the Engagement Letter were amended as follows:

 

$100,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the closing of the Business Combination;

 

$100,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the funding of the second tranche of funding pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement with Helena Special Opportunities LLC described above;

 

350,000 ordinary shares of Pubco, which was satisfied by Sponsor on behalf of PubCo within the aggregate of 1,900,000 of such transfers to Service Providers described above; and

 

Issuance by PubCo to CCM at the closing of the Business Combination of a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $1,000,000, which shall be convertible at CCM’s election beginning six months following closing of the Business Combination. The conversion price shall equal the lessor of (x) the 5 VWAP trading days ending on the VWAP trading day immediately preceding the applicable conversion and (y) 95% of the previous trading day closing price of PubCo Ordinary Shares. Upon the second anniversary of issuance, all remaining amounts due under the note shall convert into PubCo Ordinary Shares.

 

Pubco Ordinary Shares and Pubco Warrants are traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “CGBS” and “CGBSW”, respectively.

 

Except as otherwise indicated or required by context, references in this Shell Company Report on Form 20-F (the “Report”) to “we”, “us”, “our”, “Pubco” or the “Company” refer to Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report and the documents incorporated by reference herein include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to, among others, our plans, objectives and expectations for our business, operations and financial performance and condition, and can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s belief and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.

 

vii


 

Forward-looking statements in this Report and in any document incorporated by reference in this Report may include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

the ability of Pubco to realize the benefits expected from the Business Combination and to maintain the listing of the Pubco Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq;

 

changes in global, regional or local business, market, financial, political and legal conditions, including the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations and the impact of any current or new government regulations in the United States and Jersey affecting Pubco’s operations and the continued listing of Pubco’s securities;

 

Pubco’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors;

 

Actions relating to the business, operations and financial performance of Pubco

 

Pubco’s ability and market opportunity to supply liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) infrastructure to under-served markets around the world;

 

the global market and demand for natural gas, LNG, and liquefication and re-gasification services;

  

Pubco’s ability to obtain regulatory approval for its operations, and any related restrictions or limitations of any approved operation;

 

Pubco’s ability to respond to general economic conditions;

 

Pubco requires substantial additional capital to finance its operations, and if it is unable to raise such capital when needed or on acceptable terms, it may be forced to delay, reduce, and/or eliminate one or more of its development programs or future commercialization efforts; and

 

Pubco’s ability to develop and maintain effective internal controls;

 

assumptions regarding interest rates and inflation; and

 

  competition and competitive pressures from other companies worldwide in the industries in which Pubco operates.

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” section of the proxy statement/prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) forming a part of the Registration Statement filed in connection with the Business Combination, which section is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks described in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Report.

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements were reasonable at the time made, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section in connection with the forward looking statements contained in this Report and any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by the Company or persons acting on its behalf.

 

viii


 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

A. Directors and Senior Management

 

Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company after the closing of the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Pubco Following the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The business address for each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is 3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 9WG.

 

B. Advisers

 

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, 101 Constitution Avenue, NW Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20001, United States, has acted as U.S. securities counsel for the Company and will continue to act as U.S. securities counsel to the Company following the completion of the Business Combination.

 

Ogier (Jersey) LLP, Jersey, Channel Islands, 44 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG, has acted as counsel for the Company with respect to Jersey law and will continue to act as counsel for the Company with respect to Jersey law following the completion of the Business Combination.

 

C. Auditors

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, KPMG AS, has acted as the independent registered public accounting firm for Crown LNG Holding AS and will be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following the Business Combination.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

A. [Reserved.]

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company on an unaudited pro forma combined basis as of July 9, 2024, after giving effect to the Business Combination and the agreements as described above:

 

    AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023  
    PRO FORMA  
(IN THOUSANDS)      
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   $ 5,607  
         
EQUITY:        
PubCo ordinary shares     7  
Share premium     322,553  
Reserves     12,341  
Accumulated deficit     (118,135 )
Cumulative translation differences     1,684  
Non-controlling interest     (88 )
TOTAL EQUITY:     218,362  
DEBT:        
Current interest-bearing liabilities     1,212  
Current lease liabilities     13  
Trade payables     2,861  
Provisions     10,511  
Other current Liabilities     750  
April 2024 Notes     1,000  
SPA Notes - derivative liability     771  
Polar convertible promissory notes     372  
Polar convertible promissory notes – derivative     153  
CCM convertible promissory notes – derivative liability     1,079  
Vendor promissory notes     3,500  
Vendor promissory notes – derivative liability     5,723  
Due to related party     241  
TOTAL DEBT:     28,186  
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION   $ 246,548  

 

1


 

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

D. Risk Factors

 

The risk factors related to the business and operations of the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Risk Factors”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, Pubco has a significant number of outstanding convertible notes which will be subject to reset provisions to the conversion price. The conversion of such convertible notes at a reduced conversion price could result in an issuance of a large number of Pubco Ordinary Shares, significant dilution, and an adverse impact on the price of Pubco Ordinary Shares.

 

On April 30, 2024, Pubco entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to the April 2024 Notes which has an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million. The April 2024 Notes will be convertible into PubCo Ordinary Shares at the option of the holder. The conversion price will initially be $10.00 at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. However, the Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes, subject to the “Minimum Price” of $2.50. If the Conversion Price is lowered to the Minimum Price of $2.50, up to 400,000 PubCo Ordinary Shares would be issuable upon conversion thereof.

 

On June 4, 2024, Pubco entered into a entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor with respect to the issuance of up to approximately $21 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes pursuant to a convertible note facility, providing for the issuance of such Facility Notes in up to seven tranches of approximately $2.9 million. Such Facility Notes would be convertible at a conversion price of $10.00, subject to a reset to a discount to a trailing volume-weighted average price as of the time of each conversion. The Facility Notes are expected to have a minimum conversion price, giving effect to any such reset, of only $0.50. The conversion of the Facility Notes in full would result in the issuance of more than 40,000,000 PubCo Ordinary Shares.

 

If conversion of the April 2024 Notes and the Facility Notes occurs at a reduced conversion price, a large number of Pubco Ordinary Shares could be issued, leading to substantial dilution to our stockholders’ equity and the market price of Pubco Ordinary Shares may decrease as a result of the additional selling pressure in the market. Any downward pressure on the trading price of PubCo Ordinary Shares caused by the sale, or potential sale, of shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes could also encourage short sales by third parties, creating additional selling pressure on our share price.

 

2


 

Pubco may not be able to draw down the full amount of the capital available under the financing agreements it has entered into, should the required terms and conditions under the respective terms and conditions of the financing agreements not be met.

 

On May 22, 2024, PubCo entered into a securities lending agreement with Millennia Capital Partners Limited pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of 730,000 shares of PubCo pledged to the Lender. If the value of the shares decline due to market conditions or any other reasons, the amount available under the loan to Pubco may be reduced, or Lender may require Pubco to furnish additional securities or cash to Lender to increase the collateral.

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor with respect to the issuance of up to approximately $21 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes pursuant to a convertible note facility, providing for the issuance of such Facility Notes in up to seven tranches of approximately $2.9 million. The issue sizes of the third and subsequent tranches are subject to certain trading volume conditions of Pubco shares, and may be limited to two and one half times the median of the value of shares traded over each of the thirty trading days preceding the closing date for such Tranche.

 

If the terms and conditions for the draw down of capital under each of these financing agreements are not met, Pubco may be limited in terms of the amount of capital it may be able to draw down, which could have an adverse impact on the financial and operating conditions of the company.

 

Pubco may not have sufficient funds to develop its projects, service our expenses and other liquidity needs and may require additional capital, and our independent registered public accountants and management have determined that there is substantial doubt as to Crown’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Following the business combination, Pubco may not have sufficient funds to develop our projects, service our expenses and other liquidity needs and may require additional capital, and our independent registered public accountants and management have determined that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. There can be no assurance that Pubco will be able to timely secure such additional funding on acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital, Pubco will not have sufficient cash and liquidity to finance our operations, develop its projects and make required payments and may need to substantially alter, or possibly even discontinue, its operations. Pubco plans to continue to seek opportunities for raising additional funds through potential alternatives, which may include, among other things, the issuance of equity, equity-linked, and/or debt securities, debt financings or other capital sources and/or strategic transactions. However, Pubco may not be successful in securing additional financing on a timely basis, on acceptable terms and conditions, or at all. In addition, substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern may cause investors or other financing sources to be unwilling to provide funding to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. If sufficient funds are not available on a timely basis and on acceptable terms, Pubco may have to delay, revise or reduce the scope of some of its business activities, including project development and related operating expenses, which would adversely affect its business prospects and its ability to continue its operations and would have a negative impact on its financial condition and ability to pursue its business strategies. If Pubco is ultimately unable to continue as a going concern, Pubco may have to seek the protection of bankruptcy laws or liquidate our assets and may receive less than the value at which those assets are carried on our audited financial statements, and it is possible that its shareholders will lose all or a part of their investment.

 

3


 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A. History and Development of the Company

 

See “Explanatory Note” in this Report for additional information regarding the Company and the BCA. Certain additional information about the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Information About the Company” and is incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Company is subject to certain of the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act. Since the Company is a “foreign private issuer,” it is exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to their purchase and sale of Pubco Ordinary Shares. In addition, the Company is not required to file reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, the Company is required to file with the SEC an Annual Report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information that the Company files with or furnishes electronically to the SEC.

 

The website address of the Company is www.crownlng.com. The information contained on the website does not form a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this Report.

 

B. Business Overview

 

Information regarding the business of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Information About Crown” and “Crown’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

C. Organizational Structure

 

The diagram below depicts a simplified version of the Company immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

 

(1) Catcha Shareholders include Catcha Investment Corp public shareholders and the Sponsor.

 

4


 

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

 

Information regarding the terminals of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Information About Crown”, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Crown is set forth in Exhibit 15.2 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

A. Directors and Senior Management

 

Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company after the closing of the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Pubco Following the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

In addition, upon Closing of the Business Combination, Andrew Judson, 56, was appointed as a director of PubCo. Mr. Judson currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Fort Capital, one of Canada’s leading independent investment banking advisory firms. Prior to joining Fort Capital, Mr. Judson was Managing Director at Camcor Partners, a Calgary based boutique Private Equity firm investing in upstream companies active in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin on behalf of Institutional and private LPs., from 2013 – 2018. From 2007 – 2013, Mr. Judson served as Managing Director of FirstEnergy Capital, an investment bank focused on the energy sector. In addition, Mr. Judson has served as a director of Pieridae Energy Limited since 2015 and lead director of Condor Energies Inc. since 2019. We believe Mr. Judson’s over 20 years of experience in the finance industry related to the energy sector and his service on the board of directors of publicly traded companies qualify him to serve as a director on our board of directors.

 

B. Compensation

 

Crown Named Executive Officer and Director Compensation

 

This section discusses material components of the executive compensation programs for Crown’s executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. In 2023, Crown’s named executive officers (“NEO”) and their positions were as follows:

 

Swapan Kataria, Chief Executive Officer

 

Jørn Husemoen, Chief Financial Officer

 

Gunnar Knutsen, President

 

This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on Crown’s current plans, considerations, expectations, and determinations regarding future compensation programs.

 

5


 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table contains information pertaining to the compensation of Crown’s named executives for the fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

 

Summary Compensation Table—Fiscal Years 2023 and 2022

 

Name and Principal Position   Year   Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Stock Awards
($)
    Option Awards
($)
    Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
    Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
    All Other Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 
Swapan Kataria*   2023   $                               —             —     $ 666,000     $ 666,000  
Chief Executive Officer   2022   $ 499,287                                         $ 499,287  
Jørn Husemoen   2023   $ 155,000                                   $ 308,000     $ 463,000  
Chief Financial Officer   2022   $ 162,000                                   $ 325,000     $ 487,000  
Gunnar Knutsen*   2023   $ 132,000                                   $ 379,000     $ 511,000  
President   2022                                       $ 222,000     $ 222,000  

  

* Gunnar Knutsen resigned as CEO as of July 10, 2022. As of April 25, 2023, Swapan Kataria entered into the position as CEO of Crown LNG Holding AS and as of April 1, 2023, Gunnar Knutsen entered into the position as President of Crown LNG AS.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2023

 

There were no outstanding options to acquire Crown ordinary shares held by the Crown’s NEOs as of December 31, 2023. The Crown NEOs did not hold any other outstanding equity awards as of that date.

 

Executive Employment Agreements

 

Swapan Kataria Management Consultancy Services Agreement

 

On January 10, 2022, Crown entered into a Management Consultancy Services Agreement and Service Order Form (the “SK Management Agreement”) with Swapan Kataria, pursuant to which Mr. Kataria hires subcontractors to provide management and consulting services and administrative assistance to Crown in connection with the implementation of its global sales strategy. Pursuant to the SK Management Agreement, Crown makes monthly payments to Mr. Kataria in the amount of NOK 400,000, or approximately $37,452, as adjusted for sick-leave and/or vacation, in exchange for the services and to cover all performance related expenses that are incurred. Pursuant to the SK Management Agreement, the compensation covers (i) wages regarding special supplements, subsistence and other compensation associated with the site location, and all personal taxes, social security contributions and other government levies payable with respect to such remuneration and allowances, (ii) mobilization and demobilization expenses, (iii) pay on public holidays, (iv) wages during illness, military service and leaves of absence, (v) insurance premiums and voluntary or obligatory pension contributions, (vi) medical service expenses, (vii) employer contributions and other applicable taxes and levies payable to public authorities, (viii) fees to employer and employee organizations, (ix) fees to establish and renew the residence and immigration permits, work permits, certificates, licenses, and health certificates, (x) overhead and management fees, (xi) risk and profit related fees, and (xii) business travel expenses. The SK Management Agreement also contains customary provisions and representations, including confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure undertakings by Mr. Kataria.

 

6


 

Black Kite Management Consultancy Services Agreement

 

On July 7, 2020, Crown entered into a Management Consultancy Services Agreement and Service Order Form (the “Kite Management Agreement”) with Black Kite AS (“Kite”), Mr. Husemoen’s management company, pursuant to which Kite hires subcontractors to provide management and advisory services to Crown in connection with the business operations and financial matters of Crown together with Crown’s board of directors. Pursuant to the Kite Management Agreement, Crown makes monthly payments to Kite in the amount of NOK 400,000, or approximately $37,452, as adjusted for sick-leave and/or vacation, in exchange for the services and to cover all performance related expenses that are incurred. Pursuant to the Kite Management Agreement, the compensation includes, but is not limited to: (i) wages for special supplements, subsistence and other compensation associated with the site location, and all personal taxes, social security contributions and other government levies payable with respect to such remuneration and allowances, (ii) wages for mobilization and demobilization, (iii) pay on public holidays, (iv) wages during illness, military service and leaves of absence, (v) wages for insurance premiums and voluntary or obligatory pension contributions, (vi) medical service expenses, (vii) employer contributions and other applicable taxes and levies payable to public authorities, (viii) fees to employer and employee organizations, (ix) fees to establish and renew the residence and immigration permits, work permits, certificates, licenses, and health certificates, (x) overhead and management fees, (xi) wages regarding risk and profit, and (xii) business travel expenses. The Kite Management Agreement also contains customary provisions and representations, including confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure undertakings by Kite.

 

Management for Hire Agreement

 

On April 1, 2023, Crown entered into a Management for Hire Agreement AS (the “Gantt Hire Agreement”) with Gantt Consulting AS (“Gantt”). The Gantt Hire Agreement stipulates that Crown will engage Mr. Knutsen, owner of Gantt, as the Managing Director of Crown, beginning on April 1, 2023 and remaining in effect for 24 consecutive months, at which point the Gantt Hire Agreement will automatically expire. Either party can terminate the agreement by giving 3 months written notice. In addition to the agreed monthly remuneration of NOK 570,000, or approximately $53,000, Crown will pay for documented travel expenses, representation on behalf of Crown, and a daily allowance for travel corresponding to the rates set by the Norwegian Directorate of Taxes.” The Gantt Agreement stipulates that the Fee is to be raised in accordance with the Norwegian Consumer Price Index on July 1, 2023, and may be adjusted for any sick-leave and or vacation periods.

 

Director Compensation—Fiscal 2023

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation paid to, or earned by our directors, during fiscal 2023:

 

Name   Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)
    Total
($)
 
Jørn Skule Husemoen   $ 135,000           $ 135,000  
Swapan Kataria   $ 41,000           $ 41,000  
Aslak Aslaksen   $ 52,000           $ 52,000  

 

As of December 31, 2023, Crown had no formal plan for compensating its directors. Crown’s directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Crown’s board may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on Crown’s behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director.

 

7


 

Following the Closing, we expect Pubco’s executive compensation program to be consistent with Crown’s existing compensation policies and philosophies, which are designed to:

 

attract, retain and motivate senior management leaders who are capable of advancing Crown’s mission and strategy and, ultimately, creating and maintaining its long-term equity value. Such leaders must engage in a collaborative approach and possess the ability to execute its business strategy in an industry characterized by competitiveness and growth;

 

reward senior management in a manner aligned with Crown’s financial performance; and

 

align senior management’s interests with Crown Shareholders’ long-term interests through equity participation and ownership.

 

Following Closing, decisions with respect to the compensation of Pubco’s executive officers, including its named executive officers, will be made by the compensation committee of the Pubco Board. The following discussion is based on the present expectations as to the compensation of the named executive officers and directors following the Business Combination. The actual compensation of the named executive officers will depend on the judgment of the members of the compensation committee and may differ from that set forth in the following discussion.

 

Pubco anticipates that compensation for its executive officers will have the following components: base salary, cash bonus opportunities, long-term incentive compensation, broad-based employee benefits, supplemental executive perquisites and severance benefits. Base salaries, broad-based employee benefits, supplemental executive perquisites and severance benefits will be designed to attract and retain senior management talent. PubCo intends to also use annual cash bonuses and long-term equity awards to promote performance-based pay that aligns the interests of its named executive officers with the long-term interests of its equity owners and to enhance executive retention.

 

Base Salary

 

PubCo expects that the base salaries of its named executive officers in effect prior to the Business Combination as described above will be subject to increases made in connection with reviews by the compensation committee.

 

Annual Bonuses

 

Pubco expects that it will use annual cash incentive bonuses for the named executive officers to motivate their achievement of short-term performance goals and tie a portion of their cash compensation to performance. It expects that, near the beginning of each year, the compensation committee will select the performance targets, target amounts, target award opportunities and other terms and conditions of annual cash bonuses for the named executive officers, subject to the terms of their employment and service agreements. Following the end of each year, the compensation committee will determine the extent to which the performance targets were achieved and the amount of the award that is payable to the named executive officers.

 

Stock-Based Awards

 

Pubco expects to use stock-based awards in future years to promote its interests by providing these executives with the opportunity to acquire equity interests as an incentive for their remaining in its service and aligning the executives’ interests with those of PubCo shareholders. Stock-based awards for its directors and named executive officers may be awarded in future years under a new employee incentive plan upon or after consummation of the Business Combination, which would be adopted by the PubCo Board in connection with the Business Combination.

 

8


 

Other Compensation

 

Pubco expects to continue to maintain various employee benefit plans currently maintained by Crown and to continue to provide its named executive officers with specified perquisites and personal benefits currently provided by Crown that are not generally available to all employees.

 

Director Compensation

 

Following the Business Combination, non-employee directors of Pubco will receive varying levels of compensation for their services as directors and members of committees of the Pubco Board, in accordance with a non-employee director compensation policy that will be put in place following the Business Combination. Pubco anticipates determining director compensation in accordance with industry practice and standards.

 

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Information regarding such indemnification agreements is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights” and “Description of Pubco Securities” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

C. Board Practices

 

Information regarding the board of directors of the Company subsequent to the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Pubco Following the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

D. Employees

 

Information regarding the employees of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Information About Crown— Human Resources & Social Responsibility” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

E. Share Ownership

 

Information regarding the ownership of the Post-Closing Pubco Ordinary Shares by our directors and executive officers is set forth in Item 7.A of this Report.

 

9


 

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

A. Major Shareholders

 

The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of the Post-Closing Pubco Ordinary Shares as of the Closing Date by:

 

each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of outstanding Pubco Ordinary Shares;

 

each of our directors;

 

each of our executive officers; and

 

all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, and includes shares underlying options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person or entity and the percentage ownership of that person or entity in the table below, all shares subject to options or warrants held by such person or entity were deemed outstanding if such securities are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date. These shares were not deemed outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or entity.

 

The percentage of Pubco Ordinary Shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 68,979,384 Pubco Ordinary Shares outstanding on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Business Combination and the agreements described above, and including 17,346,632 Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants..

 

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Post-Closing Pubco Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by them. To our knowledge, no Post-Closing Pubco Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by any executive officer, director or director nominee have been pledged as security.

 

Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of our shareholders is 3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade, St. helier, Jersey, JE4 9WG.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Number of
Pubco
Ordinary
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percentage
of Pubco
Ordinary
Shares
5% Holders of Pubco:                
Catcha Holdings LLC (1)     8,037,855       9.3 %
Swapan Kataria (2)     17,539,225       20.3 %
Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd (3)     6,855,862       7.9 %
Directors and Executive Officers of PubCo                
Swapan Kataria (2)     17,539,225       20.3 %
Jørn Skule Husemoen (4)     1,377,815       1.5 %
Gunnar Knutsen (5)     312,175       0.3 %
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group     19,229,215       22.1 %

 

 

(1) The address for Catcha Holdings LLC is 3 Raffles Place, #06-01 Bharat Building, Singapore 048617. Represents (1) 838,723 PubCo Ordinary Shares directly held by Catcha Holdings LLC, and (2) 7,199,132 PubCo Ordinary Shares issuable pursuant to 7,199,132 PubCo Warrants held by Catcha Holdings LLC that are exercisable within 60 days of the Closing Date. This amount excludes up to 1,550,000 Service Provider Shares that may be transferred to Catcha Holdings LLC by the applicable Service Provider to the extent that the proceeds of sales of Service Provider Shares by such Service Provider exceed agreed upon amounts. Please see “Explanatory Note – Founder Share Transfers.”  Patrick Grove and Luke Elliott share voting and investment control over the shares held by Catcha Holdings LLC. Mr. Grove and Mr. Elliott disclaim any beneficial ownership of the securities held by Catcha Holdings LLC other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest they may have therein, directly or indirectly.

 

(2) Represents shares held by Citibank, N.A. Nominee. The Kataria Capital Corporation owns 100% of the interest in the securities held by Citibank, N.A. Nominee and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by Citibank, N.A. Nominee. The Kataria Trust owns 100% of the interest in Kataria Capital Corporation and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by Kataria Capital Corporation. Swapan Kataria is the trustee of the Kataria trust and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by the Kataria Trust. The address for Citibank, N.A. Nominee is 1 North Wall Quay, Dublin.

 

10


 

(3) Devavarapu Tvisha Ragendri owns 100% of the interest in Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd. The address for Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd is 7500A Beach Road, #14-302, The Plaza, Singapore 199591.

 

(4) Represents 1,377,815 shares held by Wealins S.A. as a Nominee for Black Kite AS. Black Kite AS owns 100% of the interest in the 1,377,815 securities held by Wealins S.A. and has sole voting and investment power of the 1,377,815 securities held by Wealins S.A. Jørn Skule Husemoen owns 100% of the interest in Black Kite AS and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by Black Kite AS. The address for Jørn Skule Husemoen is Askekroken 11, 0277 Oslo, Norway.

  

(5) Represents 244,615 shares held directly and 67,560 shares held indirectly by Gantt Consulting AS. Gunnar Knutsen owns 100% of the interest in Gantt Consulting AS and has sole voting and investment power of the securities held by Gantt Consulting AS. The address for Gunnar Knutsen is Askekroken 11, 0277 Oslo, Norway.

 

B. Related Person Transactions

 

Information regarding certain related person transactions is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Crown” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

None.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

 

See Item 18 of this Report for consolidated financial statements and other financial information.

 

B. Significant Changes

 

A discussion of significant changes since December 31, 2023 is provided under Item 4 of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

A. Offer and Listing Details

 

Nasdaq Listing of Pubco Ordinary Shares and Pubco Warrants

 

Pubco Ordinary Shares and Pubco Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “CGBS” and “CGBSW”, respectively. Holders of the Pubco Ordinary Shares and Pubco Warrants should obtain current market quotations for their securities.

 

Lock-ups 

 

Information regarding the lock-up restrictions applicable to the Pubco Ordinary Shares is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Related Agreements” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

11


 

Warrants

 

Upon the completion of the Business Combination, there were 17,346,632 Pubco Warrants outstanding. The Warrants, which entitle the holder to purchase one Pubco Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. The Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation in accordance with their terms.

 

In addition, each Catcha warrant outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into one PubCo Warrant that entitles the holder thereof to purchase one PubCo Ordinary Share.

 

B. Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

 

The Pubco Ordinary Shares and Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols CGBS and CGBSW, respectively. There can be no assurance that the Ordinary Shares and/or Warrants will remain listed on Nasdaq.

 

D. Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution

 

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A. Share Capital

 

The Company is a no par value company and there is no limit on the number of shares of any class which the Company is authorized to issue.

 

Information regarding our share capital is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Pubco’s Securities” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

B. Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association

 

Information regarding certain material provisions of the A&R Memorandum of Association is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Charter Documents of PubCo Following the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

C. Material Contracts

 

Except as described above under the heading “Explanatory Note”, information regarding certain material contracts is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “The Business Combination Agreement” and “Related Agreements” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

D. Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

 

There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in Jersey that may affect the import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents for use by Pubco, or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest, or other payments by Pubco to non-resident holders of its Post-Closing Pubco Ordinary Shares. There is no limitation imposed by Jersey law or in the A&R Memorandum of Association on the right of non-residents to hold or vote shares.

 

12


 

E. Taxation

 

Information regarding certain tax consequences of owning and disposing of Pubco Ordinary Shares and Pubco Warrants is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Material Tax Considerations” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Pubco has not paid any dividends to its shareholders. Following the completion of the Business Combination, Pubco’s board of directors will consider whether or not to institute a dividend policy. The determination to pay dividends will depend on many factors, including, among others, Pubco’s financial condition, current and anticipated cash requirements, contractual restrictions and financing agreement covenants, solvency tests imposed by applicable corporate law and other factors that Pubco’s board of directors may deem relevant.

 

G. Statement by Experts

 

The financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, appearing in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon (which report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the ability of Catcha Investment Corp to continue as a going concern), appearing elsewhere therein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG AS, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The audit report covering the December 31, 2023 consolidated financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph that states that the ' recurring losses and net capital deficiency of Crown LNG Holding AS raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

 

H. Documents on Display

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we have filed electronically with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

 

We also make available on our website, free of charge, our Annual Report and the text of our reports on Form 6-K, including any amendments to these reports, as well as certain other SEC filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our website address is www.crownlng.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only, and information contained therein or connected thereto is not incorporated into this Form 20-F. 

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

 

Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is set forth in Exhibit 15.2 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Information pertaining to the Pubco Warrants is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Pubco’s Securities—Warrants.”

 

13


 

PART II

 

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

Following the consummation of the Business Combination on the Closing Date, KPMG AS, the independent registered public accounting firm of Crown LNG Holding AS, is being engaged as the independent auditor of PubCo. In connection with the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, Marcum, which was the auditor for Catcha Investment Corp., was informed that it would no longer be our auditor. Such cessation of audit services was effective upon consummation of the Business Combination on the Closing Date.

 

The reports of Marcum on the financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp. as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 did not contain any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Marcum’s audit reports contained an explanatory paragraph related to the substantial doubt of Catcha Investment Corp.'s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

During the periods from December 17, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2023 and through the Closing Date, there were no disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure, which such disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum, would have caused Marcum to make reference thereto in its reports on the financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp. for such periods. In its evaluation of Catcha Investment Corp’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, Catcha Investment Corp’s management identified material weaknesses related to accounting for complex financial instruments, determining the fair value of complex financial instruments and lack of controls needed to evaluate contractual agreements for contingent fee arrangements and unrecorded liabilities to ensure it is accurate and complete.  Except for such material weaknesses, as described in Item 9A of Catcha Investment Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, during the period from December 17, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2023 and through the Closing, there were no “reportable events” as that term is described in paragraphs (A) through (D) of Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F.

 

PubCo provided Marcum with a copy of the disclosure it is making in this Report and requested that Marcum furnish PubCo with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), pursuant to Item 16F(a)(3) of Form 20-F, stating whether Marcum agrees with the statements made by PubCo in this Report, and if not, in which respects Marcum does not agree. A copy of Marcum’s letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 15, 2024 is attached as Exhibit 15.8 to this Report.

 

14


 

PART III

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

See Item 18.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The audited financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the unaudited financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and the audited consolidated financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2023 are attached as Exhibit 15.5, Exhibit 15.6 and Exhibit 15.7, respectively, to this Report.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp and Crown LNG Holding AS are attached as Exhibit 15.1 to this Report.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  Description
1.1   Form of Memorandum and Articles of Association of Crown LNG Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
   
2.1   Warrant Agreement dated February 11, 2021 between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Catcha Investment Corp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
   
2.2   Specimen PubCo Ordinary Shares Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
   
2.3   Specimen PubCo Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
     
4.1   Business Combination Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2023, by and among Catcha, PubCo, Merger Sub, and Crown LNG Holding AS (included as Annex A to the proxy statement/prospectus) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
   
4.2   Amendment No. 1 to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2023, by and among Catcha, Crown LNG Holding AS and Catcha Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
     

4.3

 

Amendment No. 2 to Business Combination Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2024, by and among Catcha, Crown LNG Holding AS and Catcha Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on February 2, 2024).

 

15


 

4.4   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Catcha Investment Corp, Crown LNG Holding AS, certain Crown LNG Holding AS shareholders, Crown LNG Holdings Limited, Catcha Holdings LLC, and certain officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Annex E to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832) filed with the SEC on October 2, 2023).
   
4.5*   Form of Lock-Up Agreement, by and among Catcha Investment Corp, Crown LNG Holding AS, certain Crown LNG Holding AS shareholders, Crown LNG Holdings Limited, Catcha Holdings LLC, and certain officers and directors
   
4.6*   Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement.
     
4.7*   Form of April 2024 Note
     
4.8*   Form of PIPE Subscription Agreement
     
4.9*   Securities Lending Agreement, dated as of May 22, 2024, by and between Crown LNG Holdings Limited and Millennia Capital Partners Limited.
     
4.10*   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2024, by and among Crown LNG Holdings Limited and each investor identified on the signature pages thereto.
     
4.11*   Form of Convertible Vendor Note
   
15.1*   Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements of Catcha Investment Corp and Crown LNG Holding AS.
     
15.2*   Crown’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     
15.3*   Consent of KPMG AS, independent registered public accounting firm
     
15.4*   Consent of Marcum LLP, independent registered accounting firm for Catcha Investment Corp
     
15.5*   Financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
     
15.6*   Unaudited condensed financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
     
15.7*   Consolidated financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2023
     
15.8*   Letter from Marcum LLP

 

* Filed herewith.

 

16


 

SIGNATURE

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this report on its behalf.

 

  CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED
     
July 15, 2024 By:  /s/ Swapan Kataria
    Name:  Swapan Kataria
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

17

 

 

EX-4.5 2 ea020814101ex4-5_crown.htm FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, BY AND AMONG CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP, CROWN LNG HOLDING AS, CERTAIN CROWN LNG HOLDING AS SHAREHOLDERS, CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED, CATCHA HOLDINGS LLC, AND CERTAIN OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Exhibit 4.5

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

Lock-Up Agreement

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED

 

Drammensveien 147

0277 OSLO, Norway

 

CROWN LNG HOLDING AS

 

Drammensveien 147

0277 OSLO, Norway

 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

 

Level 42, Suntec Tower Three,

8 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038988

 

RE: Lock-Up Agreement (this “Agreement”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”), dated as of August 3, 2023, by and between (i) Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (“PubCo”), (ii) CGT Merge II Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Merger Sub”), (iii) Catcha Investment Corp, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Catcha”) and (iv) Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (the “Company”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

In connection with the Business Combination, and for good and valuable consideration receipt of where is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned do hereby agree, as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

a. “Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise, as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 


 

b. “Beneficially Own(ed)” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

c. “Change of Control” shall mean any transaction or series of related transactions the result of which is the acquisition by any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) of Persons of (i) direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities of PubCo representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of PubCo, whether by acquisition, merger, consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation or other business combination, in each case, involving PubCo, however effected, other than any such transaction (or series of related transactions) in which the equity holders of PubCo as of immediately prior thereto continue to hold, after giving effect thereto, in each case directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of PubCo or the surviving Person outstanding immediately after such combination; or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of PubCo and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether by sale of Subsidiary equity, merger, consolidation, reorganization, amalgamation or other business combination, other than such sale by PubCo or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of PubCo and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to an entity in which at least a majority of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such entity prior to such transaction are owned by stockholders of PubCo in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the voting securities of PubCo immediately prior to the transaction, other than changes in proportionality as a result of any cash/stock election provided under the terms of the definitive agreement regarding such transaction.

 

d. “Common Shares” means the ordinary shares of no par value each in the capital of PubCo

 

e. “Company Holders” means each Person listed on Schedule I hereto, and in each case, their Permitted Transferees.

 

f. “Controlled Entity” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting shares or stock (as applicable) of which is owned by such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the managing partner or in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the manager or managing member or in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits.

 

A-2


 

g. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto, as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

h. “Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares or equity (or such other interests), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights, profit participation and all of the other ownership or profit interests of such Person (including partnership or member interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting.

 

i. “Family Member” means with respect to any Person, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) or spouse of a descendant of such Person, brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption), brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) are beneficiaries.

 

j. “Permitted Transferee” means with respect to any Person, (a) any Family Member of such Person, (b) any Affiliate of such Person, (c) any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Person, (d) any Controlled Entity of such Person, (e) solely with respect to any Sponsor Holder, any director or indirect partners, members or holder of Equity Securities of the Sponsor Holder, (f) solely with respect to East LNG PTE Ltd (“ELNG”), by ELNG to (i) any shareholder of ELNG, and (ii) any Person so long as such Transfer does not exceed 10% of the Common Shares held by ELNG as of the Closing Date, and (g) solely with respect to any shareholder of ELNG who is the recipient of one or more onward Transfers from ELNG in accordance with subsection (f) (the “Distributed Shares”), by any such Company Holder to any Person up to 10% of the Distributed Shares.

 

k. “Sponsor” means Catcha Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company.

 

A-3


 

l. “Sponsor Holders” means each Person listed on Schedule II hereto and in each case, their Permitted Transferees.

 

m. ”Securityholder” means a Company Holder or Sponsor Holder.

 

n. “Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition by the Transferor (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) and, when used as a verb, the Transferor voluntarily or involuntarily, transfers, sells, pledges or hypothecates or otherwise disposes of (whether by operation of Law or otherwise), including, in each case, (a) the establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to, or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security or (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

2. Lock-Up.

 

a. The undersigned, in its capacity as a Company Holder or a Sponsor Holder, as the case may be, agrees, severally, and not jointly, not to effect any Transfer, or make a public announcement of any intention to effect such Transfer, of any Lock-Up Shares (as defined below) Beneficially Owned or otherwise held by such Person during the applicable Lock-Up Period (as defined below); provided, that such restriction on Transfers shall not apply to Transfers permitted pursuant to Article 3.

 

b. The “Lock-Up Period” means:

 

(i) in the case of a Company Holder, the period commencing on the Closing Date and continuing until the earliest to occur of (x) the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (y) the date on which PubCo completes a Change of Control or (z) the date on which the closing share price of Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date; and

 

(ii) in the case of a Sponsor Holder, the period commencing on the Closing Date and continuing until the earliest to occur of (x) the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (y) the date on which PubCo completes a Change of Control, or (z) the date on which the closing share price of Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date.

 

A-4


 

c. “Lock-Up Shares” means the Equity Securities in PubCo held by the undersigned as of the Closing Date [(but not including any Equity Securities purchased by a Company Holder or Sponsor Holder in any Private Placement (as defined in the BCA)].

 

d. During the applicable Lock-Up Period, any purported Transfer of Lock-Up Shares other than in accordance with this Agreement shall be null and void, and PubCo shall refuse to recognize any such Transfer for any purpose.

 

e. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Equity Securities in PubCo Beneficially Owned by such Person shall remain subject to any restrictions on Transfer under applicable securities Laws of any Governmental Authority, including all applicable holding periods under the Securities Act and other rules of the SEC.

 

3. Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions set forth in paragraph 2 shall not apply to:

 

(a) Transfers to any of the undersigned’s Permitted Transferees;

 

(b) in the case of an entity, (i) Transfers by virtue of the laws of the state of the entity’s organization and the entity’s organizational documents upon dissolution of the entity; or (ii) pursuant to a Change of Control which results in all of PubCo’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Common Shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement;

 

(c) in the case of an individual, (i) Transfers by virtue of Laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (ii) Transfers pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in connection with a divorce settlement, or as a bona fide gift or gifts or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or the undersigned’s Family Members; or (iii) pursuant to a Change of Control which results in all of PubCo’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Common Shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement;

 

(d) the entry, by the Securityholder, at any time after the Closing, of any trading plan providing for the sale of Common Shares by the Securityholder, which trading plan meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act, provided, however, that such plan does not provide for, or permit, the sale of any Common Shares during the Lock-Up Period and no public announcement or filing is voluntarily made or required regarding such plan during the Lock-Up Period; (e) Transfers to a nominee or custodian of a Person to whom a Transfer would be permitted under clauses (a) through (c) above;

 

A-5


 

 

(f) transactions relating to Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares acquired in open market transactions after the Closing;

 

(g) the exercise of stock options or warrants to purchase Common Shares or the vesting of stock awards of Common Shares and any related transfer of Common Shares to PubCo in connection therewith (x) deemed to occur upon the “cashless” or “net” exercise of such options or warrants or (y) for the purpose of paying the exercise price of such options or warrants or for paying taxes due as a result of the exercise of such options or warrants, the vesting of such options, warrants or stock awards, or as a result of the vesting of such Common Shares, it being understood that all Common Shares received upon such exercise, vesting or transfer will remain subject to the restrictions of this Agreement during the Lock- Up Period;

 

(h) Transfers to PubCo to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to PubCo’s equity incentive plans or arrangements;

 

(i) Transfers to PubCo pursuant to any contractual arrangement in effect at the Closing that provides for the repurchase by PubCo or forfeiture of the Securityholder’s Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares in connection with the termination of the Securityholder’s service to PubCo;

 

(j) Transfers by virtue of the laws of Cayman Islands or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement, as amended from time to time, upon dissolution of the Sponsor;

 

(k) Transfers in connection with any bona fide mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction or enforcement thereunder, including foreclosure thereof; or

 

(l) transactions to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, or local income tax obligations of the Securityholder (or its direct or indirect owners) arising from a change in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”) after the date on which the Business Combination Agreement was executed by the parties, and such change prevents the transactions contemplated by Business Combination Agreement from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368 of the Code (and the transactions contemplated by Business Combination Agreement do not qualify for similar tax-free treatment pursuant to any successor or other provision of the Code or Regulations taking into account such changes).

 

A-6


 

provided, that in connection with any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares pursuant to Clauses 3(b) - 3(e) above, the restrictions and obligations contained in Article 2 and this Article 3 will continue to apply to such Lock-Up Shares after any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares. Any Transferee of Lock-Up Shares that is a Permitted Transferee of the Transferor shall be required, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, to become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering a signed joinder agreement, prepared by PubCo, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

4. Representations and Warranties.

 

a. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

 

b. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that it now has and, except as contemplated by this Agreement, will have good and marketable title to its Lock- Up Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims that could impact the ability of the undersigned to comply with the foregoing restrictions. The undersigned agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with PubCo’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of any Lock-Up Shares during the applicable Lock-Up Period.

 

5. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Business Combination Agreement (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to the Closing, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Company, PubCo and Catcha are proceeding with the Business Combination in reliance upon this Agreement.

 

b. Compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived by, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified, only upon the written consent of (i) PubCo, (ii) the Sponsor, and (iii) holders of a majority of the total Lock-Up Shares.

 

c. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

  

A-7


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has duly executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  Sponsor Holders:
   
  [_______________________]
   
  By:                                      
  Name:
  Title:
   
  [_______________________]
   
  By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-8


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has duly executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the Effective Date.

  

  Company Holders:
   
  [_______________________]
   
  By:                                      
  Name:
  Title:
   
  [_______________________]
   
  By:  
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-9


 

Agreed and acknowledged:

 

  Crown LNG Holdings Limited
   
  By:                                      
  Name:
  Title:

 

  Crown LNG Holding AS
   
  By:                                      
  Name:
  Title:

 

  Catcha Investment Corp
   
  By:                                      
  Name:
  Title:

  

A-10


 

Schedule I

 

Company Holders

 

1. East LNG PTE Ltd
2. Kataria Capital Corporation
3. Joern Husemoen
4. Swapan Kataria
5. Aslak Aslaksen
6. Black Kite AS
7. Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd

 

A-11


 

Schedule II

 

Sponsor Holders

 

1. Catcha Holdings LLC,
2. Patrick Grove
3. Luke Elliott
4. Wai Kit Wong,
5. James Graf
6. Rick Hess
7. Yaniv Ghitis

 

 

A-12

EX-4.6 3 ea020814101ex4-6_crown.htm FORM OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.6

 

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This agreement is made the       day of            2024.

 

PARTIES

 

1 Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the Company), having its registered office at 3rd Floor, 44 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG.

 

2 [Name of Director] of [address] (the Director).

 

RECITALS

 

A The Director is a director of the Company.

 

B In consideration for accepting [his/her] appointment and continuing to act as a director of the Company, the Director has requested that [s]he be provided with an indemnity in respect of claims and actions which may be brought against [him/her] in respect of [his/her] position and functions as a director of the Company.

 

C The Company has agreed to indemnify the Director in respect of such position and functions in accordance with the terms of this agreement.

 

OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

 

1 Interpretation

 

In this agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Associated Company means any body corporate which from time to time is a subsidiary of the Company or a holding company of the Company or a subsidiary of such holding company;

 

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, or any day on which banks are generally open for business in both Jersey and the United Kingdom;

 

Director shall include [his/her] heirs, personal representatives and estate;

 

holding company and subsidiary have the meanings given to those terms in Articles 2 and 2A of the Law; and the Law means the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 as amended from time to time.

 

2 Indemnity

 

2.1 In consideration of the Director accepting [his/her] appointment and continuing to act as, and perform the functions of, a director of the Company, the Company hereby covenants and undertakes, subject to the provisions of clause 3, to the fullest extent permitted by law and without prejudice to any other indemnity to which the Director may otherwise be entitled, to indemnify and keep indemnified and hold harmless the Director against all actions, claims, proceedings, costs, demands, losses, damages and other liabilities of any kind, whether instigated, imposed or incurred under the laws or regulations of Jersey or of any other jurisdiction and whether civil, criminal or regulatory, arising out of or in connection with:

 

  (a) [his/her] appointment as a director of the Company;

 

  (b) the actual or purported exercise of, or failure to exercise, any of the Director’s powers, duties or responsibilities as a director or officer of the Company or of any Associated Company (whether before or after the date of this agreement), including any actual or alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by the Director in relation to the Company or of any Associated Company;

 

  (c) any damages, compensation, penalties, awards or other amounts of a monetary nature payable by the Director in connection with any of the matters referred to in (a) and/or (b) above, whether pursuant to any order or decision of any court, tribunal, regulatory authority or other body exercising judicial, governmental or regulatory authority over the Director or pursuant to any settlement of the same to which the Company consents; and

 

  (d) an amount equal to any direct costs incurred by the Director in complying with any aspect of any order or decision of any court, tribunal, regulatory authority or other body exercising judicial, governmental or regulatory authority over the Director, in each case, in connection with any of the matters referred to in (a) and/or (b) above, or any settlement of the same to which the Company consents,

 

including without limitation all costs, legal expenses, losses, damages or other liabilities reasonably incurred in defending any of the matters referred to in (a) to (d) above (a Claim).

 

 


 

2.2 The Director shall continue to be indemnified under clause 2.1 above until such time as any relevant limitation periods (whether under Jersey law or otherwise) for bringing Claims against the Director have expired, or for so long as the Director remains liable for any Claims, notwithstanding that the Director may have ceased to be a director of the Company.

 

2.3 Payment in respect of Claims shall be made by the Company to the Director on a demand being made by the Director (or, if later, three Business Days before the due date for payment of the relevant liability) subject to the provision of evidence satisfactory to the Company as to the amount and date for payment of the relevant liabilities. Such payment shall be made without any set-off or counterclaim and free from any deduction or withholding except as required by this agreement or by applicable law.

 

2.4 Subject to applicable law, at the request of the Director, the Company shall make advance payments (on such terms, including interest, as the Company may determine) to the Director to meet Claims incurred or to be incurred by the Director or such Claims expected to arise, including for the avoidance of doubt, any costs or expenses to be incurred in dealing with any such Claims, provided that the Director provides the Company with an undertaking that within 14 days of receiving a written request from the Company, the Director shall repay to the Company all amounts received by, or advanced to, the Director under this agreement:

 

  (a) to the extent paid or advanced in contravention of law;

 

  (b) to the extent that amounts paid to the Director in respect of such Claims are subsequently found not to be payable by the Director in respect of such Claims; or

 

  (c) to the extent that amounts paid to the Director in respect of such Claims are subsequently recovered or compensated for, including by virtue of any relevant directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company.

 

2.5 The Company shall use all reasonable endeavours to provide and maintain appropriate directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (including ensuring that premiums are properly paid) for the benefit of the Director for so long as any Claims may lawfully be brought against the Director.

 

3 Limitation on liability

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, the Director shall have no right to an indemnity under this agreement to the extent that such indemnity is prohibited by the Law or any applicable law or would cause this agreement or any part of it so be treated as void or unenforceable under applicable law.

 

4 Notification and conduct of claims

 

4.1 If the Director becomes aware of any matter which might or may reasonably be expected to give rise to a Claim, the Director shall:

 

  (a) as soon as reasonably practicable, give written notice to the Company of the matter (stating in reasonable detail the nature of the matter) and consult with the Company with respect to the matter. If the matter has become the subject of any legal proceedings [s]he shall deliver the notice within sufficient time to enable the Company to contest the proceedings before any final judgment;

 

  (b) take all reasonable action to mitigate any Claim;

 

  (c) at the Company’s sole expense and subject to a full indemnity from the Company in respect thereof in such terms as [s]he may reasonably require:

 

  (i) take such action and institute such proceedings and give such information and assistance as the Company may reasonably require to enable the Company to dispute, resist, appeal, compromise, defend, remedy or mitigate the matter or enforce against any person the rights of the Director in relation to the matter; and

 

  (ii) in connection with any proceedings related to the matter, use professional advisers nominated by the Company and, if the Company so requests, allow the Company, the applicable Associated Companies or its or their insurers to take over conduct and defense of the proceedings keeping [him/her] advised of progress and copied in material communications and issues; provided in each case that the Company shall not settle or compromise a matter that would materially adversely affect the reputation of the Director without first consulting with the Director; and

 

  (d) not admit liability in respect of or settle the matter without the prior written consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

2


 

4.2 In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that the Director is entitled to indemnification under this agreement if the Director has submitted a notice to the Company in accordance with clause 4.1 of this agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption.

 

5 Other rights of indemnity or recovery

 

5.1 To the extent that the matter is one in respect of which the Director has a right to make recovery or is entitled to claim an indemnity from any person other than the Company (except under any insurance policy maintained for the benefit of the Director by the Director or any firm of which the Director is a party), whether under any provision of applicable law or otherwise, [s]he shall pursue such right of recovery or indemnity if requested to do so by the Company but at the Company’s sole expense and subject to an indemnity from the Company to the Director in respect of such pursuit in such terms as the Director may reasonably require.

 

5.2

In the event that a payment is made to the Director under this agreement in respect of a Claim, the Company shall be entitled to recover from the Director an amount equal to any payment received by the Director under any policy of insurance or from any other third party source to the extent that such payment relates to the Claim or, if the payment received by the Director is greater than the payment made under this agreement, a sum equal to the payment made under this agreement. The Director shall pay over such sum promptly on the Company’s request.

 

6 Assignment

 

6.1 The Company may at any time assign all or any of the Company’s rights and benefits hereunder.

 

6.2 The Director shall not be entitled to assign or transfer all or any of the Director’s rights, benefits and obligations hereunder without the prior or simultaneous written consent of the Company.

 

7 Notices

 

7.1 Any notice, approval, request, demand or other communication (Notice) to be given for the purpose of this agreement must be in writing in the English language and delivered by hand or special delivery mail (airmail if overseas) or facsimile addressed to the recipient at its address as set out at the head of this agreement or to such other address or to such facsimile number, email address or person which the recipient has notified to the sender in accordance with this clause 7.1 and which has been received by the sender no fewer than seven days prior to the Notice being dispatched.

 

7.2 A Notice will, if addressed correctly in accordance with clause 7.1, be deemed to have been served:

 

  (a) if served personally or delivered by hand at the time of delivery;

 

  (b) if delivered by special delivery mail two days after the date of posting or if sent by airmail five days after the date of posting (excluding days which are not Business Days);

 

  (c) if delivered by facsimile at the time the facsimile has been completely transmitted and a transmission report produced by the machine from which the facsimile was sent; and

 

  (d)

if delivered by email at the time of sending according to the Lender’s electronic records.

 

8 Entire agreement

 

This agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties in respect of the subject matter of this agreement.

 

9 Variation

 

No variation of this agreement shall be effective unless signed for or on behalf of both the parties hereto.

 

10 Counterpart execution

 

This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by both the parties hereto on separate counterparts each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute an original but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

11 Governing law and jurisdiction

 

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Island of Jersey, and the parties hereto hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Island of Jersey.

 

3


 

In witness whereof the parties hereto have executed this agreement the day and year first above written.

 

Signed for and on behalf of  
CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED  
   
   
Signature  
   
   
Print name  
   
   
Title  

 

Signed by [Name of Director]  
   
   
Signature  
in the presence of:  
   
   
Signature of witness  
   
   
Print name  
   
   
Title  

 

 

4

 

 

EX-4.7 4 ea020814101ex4-7_crown.htm FORM OF APRIL 2024 NOTE

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Subscription Agreement (this “Subscription Agreement”) is being entered into as of April 30th 2024, by and between Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Issuer”) and the undersigned subscriber (the “Investor”), in connection with the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2023, as amended on October 2, 2023, January 31, 2024 and February 16, 2024 (as may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among Catcha Investment Corp, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“SPAC”), the Issuer, Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (the “Company”) and the other parties thereto providing for the combination of SPAC, the Issuer and the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions therein (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, the Investor is committing to purchase, contingent upon, and substantially concurrently with the closing of the Transaction a convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $526,315 (the “Note”), which is convertible into ordinary shares in the capital of the Issuer, no par value (the “Shares”), in a private placement for a purchase price of $500,000 (the “Purchase Price”). The Note is part of a series of Notes with identical terms other than the aggregate principal amount and Purchase Price, for which other investors are entering into additional subscription agreements on substantially the same terms as this Subscription Agreement concurrently herewith.

 

In connection therewith, and in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants, and subject to the conditions, set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each of the Investor and the Issuer acknowledges and agrees as follows:

 

1. Subscription. The Investor hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Issuer the Note on the terms and subject to the conditions provided for herein. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Issuer reserves the right to accept or reject the Investor’s subscription for the Note for any reason or for no reason, in whole or in part, at any time prior to its acceptance, and the same shall be deemed to be accepted by the Issuer only when this Subscription Agreement is signed by a duly authorized person by or on behalf of the Issuer; the Issuer may do so in counterpart form.

 

2. Closing. The closing of the sale of the Note contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) is contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. Upon (a) satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3 below and (b) delivery of written notice from (or on behalf of) the Issuer to the Investor (the “Closing Notice”), that the Issuer reasonably expects all conditions to the Closing to be satisfied or waived, the Investor shall deliver to the Issuer on the closing date specified in the Closing Notice (the “Closing Date”), the Purchase Price by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice. The Investor shall also deliver to the Issuer any other information that is reasonably requested in the Closing Notice in order for the Issuer to issue the Note. As soon as practicable following, but not later than one (1) business day after the Closing Date, the Issuer shall issue the Note; provided, however, that the Issuer’s obligation to issue the Note to the Investor is contingent upon the Issuer having received the Purchase Price in full accordance with this Section 2. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands are authorized or required by law to close.

 

3. Closing Conditions.

 

a. The obligation of the parties hereto to consummate the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement is subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Investor on the other hand, of the condition that all conditions precedent to the closing of the Transaction under the Transaction Agreement shall have been satisfied (as determined by the parties to the Transaction Agreement and other than those conditions under the Transaction Agreement which, by their nature, are to be fulfilled at the closing of the Transaction, including to the extent that any such condition is dependent upon the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Note pursuant to this Subscription Agreement) or waived.

 

 


 

b. The obligation of the Issuer to consummate the issuance and sale of the Note pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by the Issuer of the additional conditions that all representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Investor of each of the representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing Date.

 

c. The obligation of the Investor to consummate the purchase of the Note pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by the Investor of the additional conditions that (i) all representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or Issuer Material Adverse Effect (as defined herein), which representations and warranties shall be true in all respects) at and as of the Closing Date, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Issuer of each of their respective representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing Date, (ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Issuer required by the Subscription Agreement to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed in all material respects and (iii) the Investor shall have delivered the Purchase Price to Issuer in compliance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement.

 

4. Further Assurances. At or prior to the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the subscription as contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.

 

5. Issuer Representations and Warranties. The Issuer represents and warrants to the Investor that:

 

a. The Issuer is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. The Issuer has all power (corporate or otherwise) and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

b. As of the Closing Date, subject to the receipt of the Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement, the conversion of the Note in accordance with its terms and registration on the Issuer’s register of members, the Shares will be duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Investor upon conversion of the Note in accordance with its terms and registered on the Issuer’s register of members, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights created under the Issuer’s memorandum and articles of association (as may be amended and/or restated from time to time) in effect on the Closing Date or under the Jersey Companies Law.

 

c. This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Investor, this Subscription Agreement is enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, or (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

d. The issuance and sale of the Note and, upon conversion thereof, the Shares, and the compliance by the Issuer with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Issuer is subject that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Issuer to timely comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement (an “Issuer Material Adverse Effect”); (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Issuer; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties that would reasonably be expected to have an Issuer Material Adverse Effect.

 

2


 

e. Assuming the accuracy of the Investor’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 6, no registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) is required for the offer and sale of the Note by the Issuer to the Investor hereunder. The Note (i) was not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) to the Issuer’s knowledge are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws.

 

6. Investor Representations and Warranties. The Investor represents and warrants to the Issuer that:

 

a. The Investor, or each of the funds managed by or affiliated with the Investor for which the Investor is acting as nominee, as applicable, (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), in each case, satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Schedule A, and accordingly, understands that the offering meets the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(C) or (J), (ii) is acquiring the Note only for his, her or its own account and not for the account of others, or if the Investor is subscribing for the Note as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, the Investor has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring the Note with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act (and shall provide the requested information set forth on Schedule A). The Investor (i) is an “institutional account” as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c), (ii) is a sophisticated investor, experienced in investing in private equity transactions and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and (iii) exercised independent judgment in evaluating the Investor’s participation in the purchase of the Note, and (z) understands that the offering meets (i) the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(A) and (ii) the institutional customer exemption under FINRA Rule 2111(b). The information provided by the Investor on Schedule A is true and correct in all respects.

 

b. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Note is being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Note and Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Note or Shares may not be offered, resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Investor absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act except (i) to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act or (iii) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each of clauses (i) and (iii) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States, and that any certificates representing the Note or Shares shall contain a restrictive legend to such effect. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Note and Shares will be subject to transfer restrictions and, as a result of these transfer restrictions, the Investor may not be able to readily offer, resell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of the Note or Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Note or Shares for an indefinite period of time. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Note and Shares will not be eligible for offer, resale, transfer, pledge or disposition pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act until at least one year from the Closing Date. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that it has been advised to consult legal counsel and tax and accounting advisors prior to making any offer, resale, transfer, pledge or disposition of the Note or any of the Shares.

 

c. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is purchasing the Note directly from the Issuer. The Investor further acknowledges that there have been no representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made to the Investor by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing or any other person or entity, expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer expressly set forth in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement.

 

d. The Investor’s acquisition and holding of the Note or Shares will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any applicable similar law.

 

3


 

e. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has received such information as the Investor deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Note, including, with respect to the Issuer, the Company, the Transaction and the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor acknowledges that he, she or it has reviewed the respective filings of SPAC and the Issuer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor and the Investor’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full access to and opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such financial and other information and an opportunity to review such information as the Investor and such Investor’s professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Note.

 

f. The Investor became aware of this offering of the Note solely by means of direct contact between the Investor and the Issuer, the Company or a representative of the Issuer or the Company, and the Note was offered to the Investor solely by direct contact between the Investor and the Issuer, the Company or a representative of the Issuer or the Company. The Investor did not become aware of this offering of the Note, nor was the Note offered to the Investor, by any other means. The Investor acknowledges that the Note (i) was not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising or, to its knowledge, general solicitation and (ii) is not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws. The Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation (including, without limitation, the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), other than the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement.

 

g. The Investor acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Note and Shares, including those set forth in the Issuer’s and SPAC’s respective filings with the SEC. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Note and Shares, and the Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as the Investor has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision and the Investor has made its own assessment and has satisfied itself concerning relevant tax and other economic considerations relative to its purchase of the Note. The Investor is able to sustain a complete loss on its investment in the Note or Shares, has no need for liquidity with respect to its investment in the Note or Shares and has no reason to anticipate any change in circumstances, financial or otherwise, which may cause or require any sale or distribution of all or any part of the Note or Shares.

 

h. Alone, or together with any professional advisor(s), the Investor has adequately analyzed and fully considered the risks of an investment in the Note or Shares and determined that the Note and Shares are a suitable investment for the Investor and that the Investor is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of the Investor’s investment in the Issuer. The Investor acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.

 

i. In making its decision to purchase the Note, the Investor has relied solely upon independent investigation made by the Investor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor has not relied on any statements or other information provided by or on behalf of SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, or any of its respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing concerning the Issuer, the Company, the Transaction, the Transaction Agreement, this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the Note or the offer and sale of the Note.

 

j. The Investor acknowledges that (i) the Company, SPAC and the Issuer currently may have, and later may come into possession of, information regarding the Company, the SPAC and the Issuer that is not known to the Investor and that may be material to a decision to enter into this transaction to purchase the Note (“Excluded Information”), (ii) the Investor has determined to enter into the this transaction to purchase the Note notwithstanding its lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information, and (iii) neither the Company, nor SPAC or the Issuer shall have liability to the Investor, and the Investor hereby to the extent permitted by law waive and releases any claims it may have against the Company, SPAC or the Issuer, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information.

 

4


 

k. The Investor acknowledges that certain information provided to the Investor was based on projections, and such projections were prepared based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections.

 

l. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Note or Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment.

 

m. The Investor, if not an individual, has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation or incorporation, with power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

n. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Subscription Agreement are within the powers of the Investor, have been duly authorized and will not constitute or result in a breach or default under or conflict with any order, ruling or regulation of any court or other tribunal or of any governmental commission or agency, or any agreement or other undertaking, to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor is bound, and, if the Investor is not an individual, will not violate any provisions of the Investor’s organizational documents, including, without limitation, its incorporation or formation papers, bylaws, indenture of trust or partnership or operating agreement, as may be applicable. The signature on this Subscription Agreement is genuine, and the signatory, if the Investor is an individual, has legal competence and capacity to execute the same or, if the Investor is not an individual, the signatory has been duly authorized to execute the same, and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, this Subscription Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

o. The Investor is not (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or in any Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and administered by OFAC (“OFAC List”), or a person or entity prohibited by any OFAC sanctions program, (ii) owned, directly or indirectly, or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, one or more persons that are named on the OFAC List; (iii) organized, incorporated, established, located, resident or born in, or a citizen, national or the government, including any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, of, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine or any other country or territory embargoed or subject to substantial trade restrictions by the United States, (iv) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank (each, a “Prohibited Investor”). The Investor agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that the Investor is permitted to do so under applicable law. If the Investor is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et seq.) (the “BSA”), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”), the Investor maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. To the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with OFAC-administered sanctions programs, including for the screening of its investors against the OFAC sanctions programs, including the OFAC List. To the extent required by applicable law, the Investor maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by the Investor and used to purchase the Shares were legally derived and were not obtained, directly or indirectly, from a Prohibited Investor.

 

p. The Investor is not currently (and at all times through Closing will refrain from being or becoming) a member of a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of equity securities of SPAC (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act).

 

q. No foreign person (as defined in Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. §4565), and all rules and regulations issued and effective thereunder (together, the “DPA”)) in which the national or subnational governments of a single foreign state have a “substantial interest” (as defined in the DPA) will acquire a “substantial interest” (as defined in the DPA) in the Issuer as a result of the purchase of Note by the Investor hereunder such that a filing before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States would be required under the DPA, and no such foreign person will have “control” (as defined in the DPA) over the Issuer from and after the Closing as a result of the purchase of the Note by the Investor hereunder.

 

5


 

r. The Investor has or has commitments to have and, when required to deliver payment to the Issuer pursuant to Section 2 above, will have, sufficient funds to pay the Purchase Price and consummate the purchase and sale of the Note pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

 

s. The Investor does not have, as of the date hereof, and during the 30-day period immediately prior to the date hereof, the Investor has not entered into, any “put equivalent position” as such term is defined in Rule 16a- 1 under the Exchange Act or end of day short sale positions with respect to the securities of SPAC.

 

t. If the Investor is an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan, an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or an employee benefit plan that is a governmental plan (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), a church plan (as defined in section 3(33) of ERISA), a non-U.S. plan (as described in section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plan that is not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code, or an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”) subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code, the Investor represents and warrants that (i) neither SPAC, the Issuer nor, to the Investor’s knowledge, any of SPAC’s or the Issuer’s respective affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”) has acted as the Plan’s fiduciary, or has been relied on for advice, with respect to its decision to acquire and hold the Note or Shares, and none of the Transaction Parties shall at any time be relied upon as the Plan’s fiduciary with respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Note or Shares and (ii) the acquisition and holding of the Note or Shares will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

u. No broker, finder or other financial consultant is acting on the Investor’s behalf in connection with this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to create any liability of the Issuer or SPAC for the payment of any fees, costs, expenses or commissions.

 

7. Registration Rights.

 

a. In the event that the Shares are not registered in connection with the consummation of the Transaction, the Issuer agrees that, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Closing Date (or within ninety (90) calendar days following the Closing Date if the Issuer is required to include therein additional financial information that is not included in the registration statement on Form F-4 at the time of the closing of the Transaction), it will file or cause to be filed, with the SEC (at the its sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof but no later than the earlier of (a) sixty (60) calendar days (or one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days if the SEC notifies the Issuer that it will “review” such Registration Statement) following the initial filing date thereof and (b) ten (10) business days after the Issuer is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (the “Effective Date”); provided, however, that if the SEC is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Effectiveness Date shall be extended by the same amount of days that the Commission remains closed for operations, provided, further, that the Issuer’s obligations to include the Shares in the Registration Statement are contingent upon the Investor furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding the Investor, the securities of the Issuer held by the Investor, the intended method of disposition of the Shares (which shall be limited to non-underwritten public offerings) and such other information as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of the Shares, and the Investor shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling shareholder in similar situations, including providing that the Issuer shall be entitled to postpone and suspend the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement (i) as permitted hereunder and (ii) as may be necessary in connection with the preparation and filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement following the filing of the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 20-F or 10-K for its first completed fiscal year. With respect to the information to be provided by Subscriber pursuant to this Section 8(a), the Issuer shall request such information from the Investor at least five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, and the Issuer shall provide a draft of the Registration Statement to the Investor for review at least three (3) Business Days in advance of filing the Registration Statement. In connection with the foregoing, Investor shall not be required to execute any lock-up or similar agreement or otherwise be subject to any contractual restriction on the ability to transfer the Shares. The Issuer agrees to, except for such times as the Issuer is permitted hereunder to suspend the use of the prospectus forming part of a Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement, or another shelf registration statement that includes the Shares to be sold pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, to remain effective until the earliest of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Closing, (ii) the date on which the Investor ceases to hold any Note issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or Shares issued upon conversion thereof, or (iii) on the first date on which the Investor is able to sell all of its Shares issued upon conversion of the Note issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement (or shares received in exchange therefor) under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”) without the public information, volume or manner of sale limitations of such rule (such date, the “End Date”).

 

6


 

b. Prior to the End Date, the Issuer will use commercially reasonable efforts to qualify the Shares for listing on the applicable stock exchange. The Investor agrees to disclose its ownership to the Issuer upon request to assist it in making the determination with respect to Rule 144 described in clause (iii) above. The Issuer may amend the Registration Statement so as to convert the Registration Statement to a Registration Statement on Form F-3 at such time after the Issuer becomes eligible to use such Form F-3. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Issuer may suspend the use of any such registration statement if it determines that in order for such registration statement not to contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed to include information that would at that time not otherwise be required in a current, quarterly, or annual report under the Exchange Act. The Issuer’s obligations to include the Shares issued upon conversion of the Note (or shares issued in exchange therefor) for resale in the Registration Statement are contingent upon the Investor furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding the Investor, the securities of the Issuer held by the Investor and the intended method of disposition of such Shares, which shall be limited to non-underwritten public offerings, as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of such Shares, and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling stockholder in similar situations.

 

c. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer shall be entitled to delay or postpone the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require the Investor not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if (x) the use of the Registration Statement would require the inclusion of financial statements that are unavailable for reasons beyond the Issuer’s control, (y) the Issuer determines that in order for the Registration Statement to not contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed to include information that would at that time not otherwise be required in a current, quarterly, or annual report under the Exchange Act, or if (z) such filing or use could materially affect a bona fide business or financing transaction of the Issuer or its subsidiaries or would require additional disclosure by the Issuer in the Registration Statement of material information that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”). Upon receipt of any written notice from the Issuer of the happening of any Suspension Event during the period that the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the prospectus) not misleading, the Investor agrees that it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Shares under the Registration Statement until the Investor receives copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Issuer that it may resume such offers and sales; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Issuer shall not include any material non-public information in any such written notice. If so directed by the Issuer, the Investor will deliver to the Issuer or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Shares in the Investor’s possession.

 

d. Indemnification

 

(i) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the Investor, its directors, and officers, employees, and agents, and each person who controls the Investor (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) from and against any and all out-of-pocket losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, any reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus included in any Registration Statement or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Issuer by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein.

 

7


 

(ii) The Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Issuer (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. In no event shall the liability of the Investor be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by the Investor upon the sale of the Shares issued upon conversion of the Note purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

(iii) Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (1) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (2) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel it elects in its sole discretion. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses incurred by the indemnified party and shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent. An indemnifying party who elects not to assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of legal counsel to any indemnified party a conflict of interest exists between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

(iv) The indemnification provided for under this Subscription Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Shares issued upon conversion of the Note purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

 

(v) If the indemnification provided under this Section 7(d) from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by or on behalf of, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Any contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) by any seller of Shares shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event will any party be liable for consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages in connection with this Subscription Agreement.

 

8


 

8. Additional Investor Agreement. The Investor agrees that, from the date of this Subscription Agreement, none of the Investor or any person or entity acting on behalf of the Investor or pursuant to any understanding with the Investor will engage in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or similar instrument, including without limitation equity repurchase agreements and securities lending arrangements, however, described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition or transfer (whether by the Investor or any other person) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, physically or synthetically, of any securities of SPAC prior to the Closing, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of securities of SPAC, in cash or otherwise, or to publicly disclose the intention to undertake any of the foregoing; provided that the provisions of this Section 8 shall not apply to long sales (including sales of securities held by the Investor prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement and securities purchased by the Investor in the open market after the date of this Subscription Agreement) other than those effectuated through derivatives transactions and similar instruments.

 

9. Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earliest to occur of (a) such date and time as the Transaction Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms without being consummated, (b) upon the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto, the SPAC and the Company to terminate this Subscription Agreement, and (c) 30 days after the Outside Date (as defined in the Transaction Agreement as in effect on the date hereof), if the Closing has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach of the Investor’s obligations hereunder (the termination events described in clauses (a)–(c) above, collectively, the “Termination Events”); provided that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of termination, and each party will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover losses, liabilities or damages arising from any such willful breach. The Issuer shall notify the Investor in writing of the termination of the Transaction Agreement promptly after the termination of such agreement. Upon the occurrence of any Termination Event, this Subscription Agreement shall be void and of no further effect and any monies paid by the Investor to the Issuer in connection herewith shall promptly (and in any event within two (2) business days) following the Termination Event be returned to the Investor.

 

10. Trust Account Waiver. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving SPAC and one or more businesses or assets. The Investor further acknowledges that, as described in SPAC’s prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated February 11, 2021 (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of SPAC’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of SPAC’s initial public offering and private placement of its securities, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of SPAC, its public shareholders and the underwriters of SPAC’s initial public offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to SPAC to pay its tax obligations and to fund certain of its working capital requirements, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only for the purposes set forth in the Prospectus. For and in consideration of SPAC entering into this Subscription Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Investor hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind it has or may have in the future, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10 shall be deemed to limit the Investor’s right, title, interest or claim to any monies held in the Trust Account by virtue of its record or beneficial ownership of shares of SPAC currently outstanding on the date hereof, pursuant to a validly exercised redemption right with respect to any such shares of SPAC, except to the extent that the Investor has otherwise agreed with SPAC to not exercise such redemption right.

 

9


 

11. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to the parties hereunder (other than the Note acquired hereunder or the Shares issuable upon conversion thereof, if any) may be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto; provided that (i) this Subscription Agreement and any of the Investor’s rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned to any fund or account managed by the same investment manager as the Investor or by a controlled affiliate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of such investment manager without the prior consent of SPAC and the Issuer and (ii) the Investor’s rights under Section 8 may be assigned to an assignee or transferee of the Shares; provided further that prior to such assignment any such assignee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms hereof; provided, that no assignment pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 11(a) shall relieve the Investor of its obligations hereunder.

 

b. The Issuer may request from the Investor such additional information as the Issuer may deem necessary to register the resale of the Shares and evaluate the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Shares, and the Investor shall promptly provide such information as may reasonably be requested to the extent readily available; provided, that, the Issuer agrees to keep any such information provided by Investor confidential except (i) as necessary to include in any registration statement the Issuer is required to file hereunder, (ii) as required by the federal securities law or pursuant to other routine proceedings of regulatory authorities or (iii) to the extent such disclosure is required by law, at the request of the staff of the SEC or regulatory agency or under the regulations of any national securities exchange on which SPAC’s securities are listed or the Issuer’s securities will be listed for trading. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that if it does not provide the Issuer with such requested information, the Issuer may not be able to register the Investor’s Shares for resale pursuant to Section 8 hereof. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC and/or the Issuer may file a copy of this Subscription Agreement (or a form of this Subscription Agreement) with the SEC as an exhibit to a periodic report or a registration statement of SPAC and/or the Issuer.

 

c. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC, the Issuer, the Company and others will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement, including Schedule A hereto. Prior to the Closing, the Investor agrees to promptly notify SPAC, the Issuer and the Company if any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 above are no longer accurate in any material respect (other than those acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in which case the Investor shall notify SPAC and the Issuer if they are no longer accurate in any respect). The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the purchase by the Investor of the Note from the Issuer will constitute a reaffirmation of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties herein (as modified by any such notice) by the Investor as of the time of such purchase.

 

d. Each of the Issuer and the Investor acknowledges and agrees that each representation, warranty, covenant and agreement of the Issuer and the Investor hereunder is being made also for the benefit of the Company after the Closing.

 

e. SPAC, the Issuer and the Company are each entitled to rely upon this Subscription Agreement and each is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

f. All of the agreements, representations and warranties made by each party hereto in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing.

 

g. This Subscription Agreement may not be modified, waived or terminated (other than pursuant to the terms of Section 9 above) except by an instrument in writing, signed by each of the parties hereto, provided, however, that no modification or waiver by the Issuer of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Company and the SPAC (other than modifications or waivers that are solely ministerial in nature or otherwise immaterial and do not affect any economic or any other material term of this Subscription Agreement). No failure or delay of either party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have hereunder.

 

10


 

h. This Subscription Agreement (including the schedule hereto) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as set forth in Section 7(d), Section 9, Section 11(c), Section 11(d), Section 11(e), Section 11(g), this Section 11(h), Section 12 and the last sentence of Section 11(l), with respect to the persons specifically referenced therein, this Subscription Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, and the parties hereto acknowledge that such persons so referenced are third party beneficiaries of this Subscription Agreement with right of enforcement for the purposes of, and to the extent of, the rights granted to them, if any, pursuant to the applicable provisions; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, each of the Company and the SPAC is an intended third party beneficiary of each of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and may rely on such provisions.

 

i. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

j. If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

k. This Subscription Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail or in .pdf) and by different parties in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts so executed and delivered shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

l. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement, without posting a bond or undertaking and without proof of damages, to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of the Company and the SPAC shall be entitled to specifically enforce the Investor’s obligations to fund the Subscription Amount and the provisions of the Subscription Agreement of which each of the Company and the SPAC is an express third party beneficiary, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

m. This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof) as to all matters (including any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, mediation, claim, charge, complaint, inquiry, proceeding, hearing, audit, investigation or reviews by or before any governmental entity related hereto), including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies.

 

11


 

n. Each party hereto hereby, and any person asserting rights as a third party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it, irrevocably agrees that any action, suit or proceeding between or among the parties hereto, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, arising in connection with any disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement or any related document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (“Legal Dispute”) shall be brought only to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in the State of New York, and each party hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding that is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. During the period a Legal Dispute that is filed in accordance with this Section 11(n) is pending before a court, all actions, suits or proceedings with respect to such Legal Dispute or any other Legal Dispute, including any counterclaim, cross-claim or interpleader, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court. Each party hereto and any person asserting rights as a third party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any Legal Dispute, that (a) such party is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason, (b) such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court, (c) such party’s property is exempt or immune from execution, (d) such action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (e) the venue of such action, suit or proceeding is improper. A final judgment in any action, suit or proceeding described in this Section 11(n) following the expiration of any period permitted for appeal and subject to any stay during appeal shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable laws. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY MAY DO SO ONLY IF HE, SHE OR IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.

 

p. Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder to be given to the Investor shall be in writing and either delivered personally, emailed or sent by overnight mail via a reputable overnight carrier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to such address(es) or email address(es) set forth on the signature page hereto, and shall be deemed to be given and received (i) when so delivered personally, (ii) when sent, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, if sent by email, or (iii) three (3) business days after the date of mailing to the address below or to such other address or addresses as the Investor may hereafter designate by notice to SPAC and the Issuer.

 

12. Non-Reliance and Exculpation. The Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation, other than the statements, representations and warranties of the Issuer expressly contained in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement in making its investment or decision to invest in the Issuer. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that none of (i) any other investor pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or any other subscription agreement related to the private placement of the Note (including the investor’s respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), or (ii) any other party to the Transaction Agreement or any Non-Party Affiliate (other than the Issuer and SPAC with respect to the previous sentence), shall have any liability (including in contract, tort, under federal or state securities laws or otherwise) to the Investor, or to any other investor, pursuant to, arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement or any other subscription agreement related to the private placement of the Note, the negotiation hereof or thereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including, without limitation, with respect to any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Note or with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Subscription Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished by SPAC, the Issuer, the Company or any Non-Party Affiliate concerning SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective controlled affiliates, this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “Non-Party Affiliates” means each former, current or future officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or affiliate of SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of SPAC’s, the Issuer’s the Company’s or any family member of the foregoing.

 

12


 

13. Disclosure. SPAC shall, by 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth (4th) business day immediately following the date of this Subscription Agreement, issue one or more press releases or file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K (collectively, the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other material, nonpublic information that SPAC and/or the Issuer has provided to the Investor at any time prior to the filing of the Disclosure Document. Upon the issuance of the Disclosure Document, to the knowledge of SPAC, the Investor shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information received from SPAC or any of its officers, directors, or employees or agents, and the Investor shall no longer be subject to any confidentiality or similar obligations under any current agreement, whether written or oral, with SPAC, the Issuer or any of their respective affiliates, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, SPAC shall not publicly disclose the name of the Investor or any of its affiliates or advisers, or include the name of the Investor or any of its affiliates or advisers in any press release or in any filing with the SEC or any regulatory agency or trading market, without the prior written consent of the Investor, except (i) as required by the federal securities law or pursuant to other routine proceedings of regulatory authorities, (ii) to the extent such disclosure is required by law, at the request of the staff of the SEC or regulatory agency or under the regulations of any national securities exchange on which SPAC’s securities are listed for trading or (iii) to the extent such announcements or other communications contain only information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved in accordance with this Section 13.

 

SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW

 

13


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor has executed or caused this Subscription Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first written above.

 

Name of Investor:  
   
INVESTOR  
   
By:          
Name:   

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

14


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has accepted this Subscription Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Crown LNG Holdings  
   
By: /s/ Joern Husemoen  
Name: Joern Husemoen  
Title: Director  

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

15


 

SCHEDULE A

 

ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INVESTOR

 

A. QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS

 

(Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

IR We are a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”)).

 

B. INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS

 

(Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

We are an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act or an entity in which all of the equity holders are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), and have marked and initialed the appropriate box on the following page indicating the provision under which we qualify as an “accredited investor.”

 

Rule 501(a), in relevant part, states that an “accredited investor” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below listed categories, or who the issuer reasonably believes comes within any of the below listed categories, at the time of the sale of the securities to that person. The Investor has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below which apply to the Investor and under which the Investor accordingly qualifies as an “accredited investor.”

 

Any bank, registered broker or dealer, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company;

 

Any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

Any employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if a bank, insurance company, or registered investment adviser makes the investment decisions, or if the plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

Any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

Any trust with assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed to acquire the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person;

 

Any entity, of a type not listed above, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000; or

 

Any entity in which all of the equity owners are “accredited investors” under Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act meeting one or more of the above tests.

 

This page should be completed by the Investor and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement.

 

16


 

THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”) AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH IT MAY BE CONVERTED HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE. THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal Amount: $ 526,315 Dated as of March [20], 2024 (the “Closing”)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Crown LNG Holdings Limited., a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order MELIH ODEMIS (the “Payee”), in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of Five Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand and Three Hundred and Fifteen Dollars ($526,315), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon at the rate set forth in Section 2 below, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Note. Except for any payments on this Note which shall or may be made through the issuance of Shares (as defined below) or additional Notes, all payments on this Note shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by the Maker to such account as the Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

 

This Note was issued pursuant to that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of March 20th 2024, by and between the Maker and the Payee (the “Subscription Agreement”) and is part of a series of Notes with identical terms other than the aggregate principal amount thereof, issued to other investors party to additional subscription agreements with the Maker on substantially the same terms as such Subscription Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the terms of this Note shall prevail.

 

1. Principal. The principal amount hereunder, and any other amounts due pursuant to Section 2 hereof that have been accrued but not paid, shall be due and payable on the first anniversary of the Closing (the “Maturity Date”), unless accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below) and subject to the earlier Redemption of this Note for cash pursuant to Section 5 hereof at the option of the Maker. For the avoidance of doubt, the amounts due pursuant to this Section 1 and Section 2 hereof following an Event of Default shall be payable by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds. The Maturity Date can be extended to second anniversary of the Closing, at the election of the Maker.

 

Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.

 

2. Interest. Interest shall accrue at the fixed rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, on the unpaid amount of this Note from and after the Closing. Interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each of June 28, 2024, September 30, 2024, December 30, 2024 and the Maturity Date. Interest shall be paid in cash; provided, that, the Maker may elect to pay accrued interest in-kind through the issuance of an additional Convertible Promissory Note in a principal amount equal to such accrued interest payment then due and payable and containing the same terms hereof except for the issuance date thereof.

 

3. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):

 

(a) Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by the Maker to pay interest due pursuant to this Note within ten (10) business days after the dates specified above, if so elected by the Payee.

 

17


 

(b) Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by the Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of the Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

 

(c) Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days.

 

4. Conversion.

 

(a) Conversion Right. At any time or times on or after the Closing, the Payee shall be entitled to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount (as defined below) into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Shares in accordance with this Section, at the Conversion Rate (as defined below). The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent (as defined below)) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of ordinary shares upon conversion of any Conversion Amount.

 

(b) Conversion Rate. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of any Conversion Amount pursuant to Section 3(b) shall be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”).

 

(i) “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the Principal of this Note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid Interest with respect to such Principal of this Note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any.

 

(ii) “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at Closing. The Conversion Price will reset to Ninety Five percent (95%) of the lowest closing Volume Weighted Average Price observed over the five trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following Closing, subject to a minimum price of $2.50, subject to adjustment as provided herein (such Conversion Price following such reset, the “Reset Conversion Price”).

 

For purposes of this Note, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which trading in Shares occurs on New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ or other national securities exchanges.

 

“Volume Weighted Average Price” means, for any Trading Day, the per share volume weighted average price of a Share as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on the applicable Bloomberg page (or, if such page is not available, its equivalent successor page) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or, if such volume weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one Share on such Trading Day, determined, using a volume weighted average price method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected by Maker). The Volume Weighted Average Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the primary trading session. The Volume Weighted Average Price shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any share split, share subdivision, split-up, reverse share split, share consolidation, share subdivision, share dividend or distribution (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Shares), extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Shares occurring during the applicable measurement period.

 

18


 

(c) Remaining Principal. All accrued and unpaid principal of this Note that is not then converted into Shares, shall continue to remain outstanding and to be subject to the conditions of this Note.

 

(d) Fractional Shares; Effect of Conversion. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of any fractional Shares to the Payee upon conversion of this Note, the Maker shall pay to the Payee an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Conversion Price by the fraction of a Share not issued pursuant to the previous sentence. Upon conversion of this Note in full and the payment of any amounts specified in this Section, this Note shall be cancelled and void without further action of the Maker or the Payee, and the Maker shall be forever released from all its obligations and liabilities under this Note.

 

5. Redemption

 

(a) The Maker may, at its sole option, at any time following the Closing and prior to the Maturity Date, redeem the Note (a “Redemption”), in full, but not in part, on a redemption date set forth in notice of such redemption (such date, the “Redemption Date”), which Redemption Date shall be at least ten (10) Trading Days after notice of such Redemption (the “Redemption Notice”) is delivered by the Marker to the Payee in accordance with Section 9 below, at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon as of the Redemption Date.

 

(b) Nothing in this Section 5 shall prohibit the Investor from exercising its option to convert the Note pursuant to Section 3(b) after delivery of such Redemption Notice and prior to the Redemption Date.

 

6. Remedies.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 4(a) hereof, the Payee may, by written notice to the Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable thereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 4(b) or 4(c), the unpaid principal balance of this Note, and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, in all cases without any action on the part of the Payee.

 

7. Waivers. The Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note, all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by the Payee under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to the Maker by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment; and the Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof, on any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by the Payee.

 

8. Unconditional Liability. The Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by the Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by the Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to the Maker or affecting the Maker’s liability hereunder.

 

19


 

9. Notices. All notices, statements or other documents that are required or contemplated by this Note shall be in writing and delivered (i) personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party, or (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally or by facsimile or electronic transmission; one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service; or five (5) days after mailing if sent by first class registered or certified mail.

 

10. Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

11. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12. Transferability and Assignability. This Note and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, by surrendering such Note to the Maker duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer naming the new Payee, together with written instructions for the issuance of one or more new Notes specifying the respective principal amounts of each new Note and the name of each new Payee therefor. Upon such transfer and, if required, any payments, the Maker shall execute and deliver a new Note in the name of the transferee, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations as specified, and if applicable shall issue to the transferer a new Note evidencing the portion of this Note not so transferred, and this Note shall promptly be cancelled. In lieu of the foregoing procedures, Payee may assign a Note to a new party by sending written notice to the Maker of such assignment specifying the new Payee; in such case, the Maker shall promptly acknowledge such assignment in writing to both the old and new Payee.

 

13. Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of the Maker and the Payee.

 

14. Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations of the Maker and the Payee hereunder shall be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and transferees of any party hereto (by operation of law or otherwise) with the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consent shall be void.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

20


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written.

 

By: /s/ Joern Husemoen  
Name:  Joern Husemoen  
Title: Director  

 

Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written.
   
INVESTOR  
   
By: /s/ Melih Odemis  
Name:  MELIH ODEMIS  

 

 

21

 

 

EX-4.8 5 ea020814101ex4-8_crown.htm FORM OF PIPE SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.8

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Subscription Agreement (this “Subscription Agreement”) is being entered into as of 6th of May 2024, by and among Catcha Investment Corp., an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“SPAC”), Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Issuer”) and the undersigned subscriber (the “Investor”), in connection with the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2023, as amended on October 2, 2023 (as may be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”), by and among SPAC, the Issuer, Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (the “Company”) and the other parties thereto providing for the combination of SPAC, the Issuer and the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions therein (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, the Issuer is seeking commitments from interested investors to purchase, contingent upon, and substantially concurrently with the closing of the Transaction, that number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Issuer (the “Shares”) as set forth on the signature page of this Subscription Agreement in a private placement for a purchase price of US$8.50 per share (the “Per Share Purchase Price”). The aggregate purchase price to be paid by the Investor for the subscribed Shares as set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Subscribed Shares”) is referred to herein as the “Subscription Amount.”

 

In connection therewith, and in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants, and subject to the conditions, set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each of the Investor, the Issuer and SPAC acknowledges and agrees as follows:

 

1. Subscription. The Investor hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Issuer the number of Shares set forth on the signature page of this Subscription Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions provided for herein. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Issuer reserves the right to accept or reject the Investor’s subscription for the Shares for any reason or for no reason, in whole or in part, at any time prior to its acceptance, and the same shall be deemed to be accepted by the Issuer only when this Subscription Agreement is signed by a duly authorized person by or on behalf of the Issuer; the Issuer may do so in counterpart form.

 

2. Closing. The closing of the sale of the Shares contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) is contingent upon the substantially concurrent consummation of the Transaction. The Closing shall occur on the date of, and substantially concurrently with and conditioned upon the consummation of, the Transaction. Upon (a) satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3 below and (b) delivery of written notice from (or on behalf of) the Issuer to the Investor (the “Closing Notice”), that the Issuer reasonably expects all conditions to the closing of the Transaction to be satisfied or waived on a date that is not less than five (5) business days from the date on which the Closing Notice is delivered to the Investor, the Investor shall deliver to the Issuer, three (3) business days prior to the closing date specified in the Closing Notice (the “Closing Date”), the Subscription Amount by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice, to be held in escrow until the Closing with a reputable law firm or financial institution. The Subscription Amount shall only be released to the Issuer upon Closing. If for any reason the Closing or the Transaction does not happen, or Investor’s Shares are not issued, the Subscription Amount shall be returned to the Investor without any deductions.

 

The Investor shall also deliver to the Issuer any other information that is reasonably requested in the Closing Notice in order for the Issuer to issue the Investor’s Shares, including, without limitation, the legal name of the person in whose name such Shares are to be issued and a duly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8, as applicable. As soon as practicable following, but not later than one (1) business day after the Closing Date, the Issuer shall (1) issue a number of Shares to the Investor set forth on the signature page to this Subscription Agreement and subsequently cause such Shares to be registered in book entry form in the name of the Investor on the Issuer’s register of members and (2) deliver to the Investor a copy of the records of the Issuer’s transfer agent or other evidence showing the Investor as the owner of the Shares on and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Issuer’s obligation to issue the Shares to the Investor is contingent upon the Issuer having received the Subscription Amount in full accordance with this Section 2. If the Closing does not occur within ten (10) business days following the Closing Date specified in the Closing Notice, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by SPAC, the Issuer and Investor, the Issuer shall promptly (but not later than one (1) business day thereafter) return the Subscription Amount in full to the Investor. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “business day” shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands are authorized or required by law to close.

 

 

 


 

3. Closing Conditions.

 

a. The obligation of the parties hereto to consummate the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement is subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by SPAC and the Issuer, on the one hand, and the Investor on the other hand, of the condition that all conditions precedent to the closing of the Transaction under the Transaction Agreement shall have been satisfied (as determined by the parties to the Transaction Agreement and other than those conditions under the Transaction Agreement which, by their nature, are to be fulfilled at the closing of the Transaction, including to the extent that any such condition is dependent upon the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement) or waived and the closing of the Transaction shall be scheduled to occur concurrently with or on the same date as the Closing Date.

 

b. The obligation of the Issuer to consummate the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by the Issuer of the additional conditions that (i) all representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Investor of each of the representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing Date and (ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Investor required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed in all material respects.

 

c. The obligation of the Investor to consummate the purchase of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction or valid waiver by the Investor of the additional conditions that (i) all representations and warranties of the Issuer and SPAC contained in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality, Issuer Material Adverse Effect or SPAC Material Adverse Effect (as defined herein), which representations and warranties shall be true in all respects) at and as of the Closing Date, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by each of the Issuer and SPAC of each of their respective representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing Date, (ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Issuer required by the Subscription Agreement to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed in all material respects and (iii) the Investor shall have delivered the Subscription Amount to Issuer in compliance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement.

 

4. Further Assurances. At or prior to the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the subscription as contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.

 

5. Issuer Representations and Warranties. The Issuer represents and warrants to the Investor that:

 

a. The Issuer is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands. The Issuer has all power (corporate or otherwise) and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

b. As of the Closing Date, subject to the receipt of the Subscription Amount in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement and registration on the Issuer’s register of members, the Shares will be duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Investor against full payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement and registered on the Issuer’s register of members, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights created under the Issuer’s memorandum and articles of association (as may be amended and/or restated from time to time) in effect on the Closing Date or under the Jersey Companies Law.

 

c. This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of SPAC and the Investor, this Subscription Agreement is enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, or (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

-2-


 

 

d. The issuance and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the Issuer with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Issuer is subject that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Issuer to timely comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement (an “Issuer Material Adverse Effect”); (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Issuer; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties that would reasonably be expected to have an Issuer Material Adverse Effect.

 

e. Assuming the accuracy of the Investor’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 6, no registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) is required for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Issuer to the Investor hereunder. The Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) to the Issuer’s knowledge are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws.

 

6. Investor Representations and Warranties. The Investor represents and warrants to SPAC and the Issuer that:

 

a. The Investor, or each of the funds managed by or affiliated with the Investor for which the Investor is acting as nominee, as applicable, (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), in each case, satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Schedule A, and accordingly, understands that the offering meets the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(C) or (J), (ii) is acquiring the Shares only for his, her or its own account and not for the account of others, or if the Investor is subscribing for the Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, the Investor has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring the Shares with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act (and shall provide the requested information set forth on Schedule A). The Investor (i) is an “institutional account” as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c), (ii) is a sophisticated investor, experienced in investing in private equity transactions and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and (iii) exercised independent judgment in evaluating the Investor’s participation in the purchase of the Shares, and (z) understands that the offering meets (i) the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(A) and (ii) the institutional customer exemption under FINRA Rule 2111(b). The information provided by the Investor on Schedule A is true and correct in all respects.

 

b. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Shares may not be offered, resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Investor absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act except (i) to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act or (iii) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in each of clauses (i) and (iii) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that it has been advised to consult legal counsel and tax and accounting advisors prior to making any offer, resale, transfer, pledge or disposition of any of the Shares.

 

-3-


 

 

c. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is purchasing the Shares directly from the Issuer. The Investor further acknowledges that there have been no representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made to the Investor by or on behalf of SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing or any other person or entity, expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer expressly set forth in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement and those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of SPAC expressly set forth in Section 7 of this Subscription Agreement.

 

d. The Investor’s acquisition and holding of the Shares will not constitute or result in a non- exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any applicable similar law.

 

e. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has received such information as the Investor deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Shares, including, with respect to SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, the Transaction and the business of the Company and its subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor acknowledges that he, she or it has reviewed the respective filings of SPAC and the Issuer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor and the Investor’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full access to and opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such financial and other information and an opportunity to review such information as the Investor and such Investor’s professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Shares.

 

f. The Investor became aware of this offering of the Shares solely by means of direct contact between the Investor and SPAC, the Issuer, the Company or a representative of SPAC, the Issuer or the Company, and the Shares were offered to the Investor solely by direct contact between the Investor and SPAC, the Issuer, the Company or a representative of SPAC, the Issuer or the Company. The Investor did not become aware of this offering of the Shares, nor were the Shares offered to the Investor, by any other means. The Investor acknowledges that the Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising or, to its knowledge, general solicitation and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws. The Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation (including, without limitation, SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), other than the representations and warranties of the Issuer contained in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement and of SPAC contained in Section 7 of this Subscription Agreement, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Issuer.

 

g. The Investor acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Shares, including those set forth in the Issuer’s and SPAC’s respective filings with the SEC. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Shares, and the Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as the Investor has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision and the Investor has made its own assessment and has satisfied itself concerning relevant tax and other economic considerations relative to its purchase of the Shares. The Investor is able to sustain a complete loss on its investment in the Shares, has no need for liquidity with respect to its investment in the Shares and has no reason to anticipate any change in circumstances, financial or otherwise, which may cause or require any sale or distribution of all or any part of the Shares.

 

h. Alone, or together with any professional advisor(s), the Investor has adequately analyzed and fully considered the risks of an investment in the Shares and determined that the Shares are a suitable investment for the Investor and that the Investor is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of the Investor’s investment in the Issuer. The Investor acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.

 

i. In making its decision to purchase the Shares, the Investor has relied solely upon independent investigation made by the Investor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor has not relied on any statements or other information provided by or on behalf of SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, or any of its respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing concerning the Issuer, the Company, the Transaction, the Transaction Agreement, this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the Shares or the offer and sale of the Shares.

 

-4-


 

 

j. The Investor acknowledges that (i) the Company, SPAC and the Issuer currently may have, and later may come into possession of, information regarding the Company, the SPAC and the Issuer that is not known to the Investor and that may be material to a decision to enter into this transaction to purchase the Shares (“Excluded Information”), (ii) the Investor has determined to enter into the this transaction to purchase the Shares notwithstanding its lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information, and (iii) neither the Company, nor SPAC or the Issuer shall have liability to the Investor, and the Investor hereby to the extent permitted by law waive and releases any claims it may have against the Company, SPAC or the Issuer, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information.

 

k. The Investor acknowledges that certain information provided to the Investor was based on projections, and such projections were prepared based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections.

 

l. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment.

 

m. The Investor, if not an individual, has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation or incorporation, with power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

n. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Subscription Agreement are within the powers of the Investor, have been duly authorized and will not constitute or result in a breach or default under or conflict with any order, ruling or regulation of any court or other tribunal or of any governmental commission or agency, or any agreement or other undertaking, to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor is bound, and, if the Investor is not an individual, will not violate any provisions of the Investor’s organizational documents, including, without limitation, its incorporation or formation papers, bylaws, indenture of trust or partnership or operating agreement, as may be applicable. The signature on this Subscription Agreement is genuine, and the signatory, if the Investor is an individual, has legal competence and capacity to execute the same or, if the Investor is not an individual, the signatory has been duly authorized to execute the same, and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of SPAC and the Issuer, this Subscription Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

o. The Investor is not (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or in any Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and administered by OFAC (“OFAC List”), or a person or entity prohibited by any OFAC sanctions program, (ii) owned, directly or indirectly, or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, one or more persons that are named on the OFAC List; (iii) organized, incorporated, established, located, resident or born in, or a citizen, national or the government, including any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, of, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine or any other country or territory embargoed or subject to substantial trade restrictions by the United States, (iv) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank (each, a “Prohibited Investor”). The Investor agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that the Investor is permitted to do so under applicable law. If the Investor is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et seq.) (the “BSA”), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”), the Investor maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. To the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with OFAC-administered sanctions programs, including for the screening of its investors against the OFAC sanctions programs, including the OFAC List. To the extent required by applicable law, the Investor maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by the Investor and used to purchase the Shares were legally derived and were not obtained, directly or indirectly, from a Prohibited Investor.

 

-5-


 

 

p. The Investor is not currently (and at all times through Closing will refrain from being or becoming) a member of a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of equity securities of SPAC (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act).

 

q. No foreign person (as defined in Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. §4565), and all rules and regulations issued and effective thereunder (together, the “DPA”)) in which the national or subnational governments of a single foreign state have a “substantial interest” (as defined in the DPA) will acquire a “substantial interest” (as defined in the DPA) in the Issuer as a result of the purchase of Shares by the Investor hereunder such that a filing before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States would be required under the DPA, and no such foreign person will have “control” (as defined in the DPA) over the Issuer from and after the Closing as a result of the purchase of Shares by the Investor hereunder.

 

r. The Investor has or has commitments to have and, when required to deliver payment to the Issuer pursuant to Section 2 above, will have, sufficient funds to pay the Subscription Amount and consummate the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

 

s. The Investor does not have, as of the date hereof, and during the 30-day period immediately prior to the date hereof, the Investor has not entered into, any “put equivalent position” as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act or end of day short sale positions with respect to the securities of SPAC.

 

t. If the Investor is an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA, a plan, an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or an employee benefit plan that is a governmental plan (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), a church plan (as defined in section 3(33) of ERISA), a non-U.S. plan (as described in section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plan that is not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code, or an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”) subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code, the Investor represents and warrants that (i) neither SPAC, the Issuer nor, to the Investor’s knowledge, any of SPAC’s or the Issuer’s respective affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”) has acted as the Plan’s fiduciary, or has been relied on for advice, with respect to its decision to acquire and hold the Subscribed Shares, and none of the Transaction Parties shall at any time be relied upon as the Plan’s fiduciary with respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Subscribed Shares and (ii) the acquisition and holding of the Subscribed Shares will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

u. No broker, finder or other financial consultant is acting on the Investor’s behalf in connection with this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in such a way as to create any liability of the Issuer or SPAC for the payment of any fees, costs, expenses or commissions.

 

7. SPAC Representations and Warranties. SPAC represents and warrants to the Investor that:

 

a. SPAC is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands. SPAC has all power (corporate or otherwise) and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

b. This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by SPAC and, assuming that this Subscription Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Issuer and the Investor, this Subscription Agreement is enforceable against SPAC in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, or (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

c. The execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement (including compliance by SPAC with all of the provisions hereof) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of SPAC pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which SPAC is a party or by which SPAC is bound or to which any of the property or assets of SPAC is subject that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of SPAC to timely comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement (a “SPAC Material Adverse Effect”); (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of SPAC; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over SPAC or any of its properties that would reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect.

 

-6-


 

 

d. As of their respective filing dates, each form, report, statement, schedule, prospectus, proxy, registration statement and other documents filed by SPAC with the SEC prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement (the “SEC Documents”) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to the SEC Documents and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents. None of the SEC Documents filed under the Exchange Act, contained, when filed or, if amended prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement, as of the date of such amendment with respect to those disclosures that are amended, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that SPAC makes no such representation or warranty with respect to the proxy statement of SPAC to be filed in connection with the approval of the Transaction Agreement by the shareholders of SPAC or any other information relating to the Company or any of its affiliates included in any SEC Document or filed as an exhibit thereto. To the knowledge of SPAC, there are no material outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters from the SEC staff with respect to any of the SEC Documents.

 

8. Registration Rights.

 

a. In the event that the Shares are not registered in connection with the consummation of the Transaction, the Issuer agrees that, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Closing Date (or within ninety (90) calendar days following the Closing Date if the Issuer is required to include therein additional financial information that is not included in the registration statement on Form F-4 at the time of the closing of the Transaction), it will file or cause to be filed, with the SEC (at the its sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof but no later than the earlier of (a) sixty (60) calendar days (or one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days if the SEC notifies the Issuer that it will “review” such Registration Statement) following the initial filing date thereof and (b) ten (10) business days after the Issuer is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (the “Effective Date”); provided, however, that if the SEC is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Effectiveness Date shall be extended by the same amount of days that the Commission remains closed for operations, provided, further, that the Issuer’s obligations to include the Shares in the Registration Statement are contingent upon the Investor furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding the Investor, the securities of the Issuer held by the Investor, the intended method of disposition of the Shares (which shall be limited to non- underwritten public offerings) and such other information as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of the Shares, and the Investor shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling shareholder in similar situations, including providing that the Issuer shall be entitled to postpone and suspend the effectiveness or use of the Registration Statement (i) as permitted hereunder and (ii) as may be necessary in connection with the preparation and filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement following the filing of the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 20-F or 10-K for its first completed fiscal year. With respect to the information to be provided by Subscriber pursuant to this Section 8(a), the Issuer shall request such information from the Investor at least five (5) Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date of the Registration Statement, and the Issuer shall provide a draft of the Registration Statement to the Investor for review at least three (3) Business Days in advance of filing the Registration Statement. In connection with the foregoing, Investor shall not be required to execute any lock-up or similar agreement or otherwise be subject to any contractual restriction on the ability to transfer the Shares. The Issuer agrees to, except for such times as the Issuer is permitted hereunder to suspend the use of the prospectus forming part of a Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement, or another shelf registration statement that includes the Shares to be sold pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, to remain effective until the earliest of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Closing, (ii) the date on which the Investor ceases to hold any Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, or (iii) on the first date on which the Investor is able to sell all of its Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement (or shares received in exchange therefor) under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”) without the public information, volume or manner of sale limitations of such rule (such date, the “End Date”).

 

-7-


 

 

b. Prior to the End Date, the Issuer will use commercially reasonable efforts to qualify the Shares for listing on the applicable stock exchange. The Investor agrees to disclose its ownership to the Issuer upon request to assist it in making the determination with respect to Rule 144 described in clause (iii) above. The Issuer may amend the Registration Statement so as to convert the Registration Statement to a Registration Statement on Form F-3 at such time after the Issuer becomes eligible to use such Form F-3. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Issuer may suspend the use of any such registration statement if it determines that in order for such registration statement not to contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed to include information that would at that time not otherwise be required in a current, quarterly, or annual report under the Exchange Act. The Issuer’s obligations to include the Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement (or shares issued in exchange therefor) for resale in the Registration Statement are contingent upon the Investor furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding the Investor, the securities of the Issuer held by the Investor and the intended method of disposition of such Shares, which shall be limited to non-underwritten public offerings, as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of such Shares, and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling stockholder in similar situations.

 

c. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer shall be entitled to delay or postpone the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require the Investor not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if (x) the use of the Registration Statement would require the inclusion of financial statements that are unavailable for reasons beyond the Issuer’s control, (y) the Issuer determines that in order for the Registration Statement to not contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed to include information that would at that time not otherwise be required in a current, quarterly, or annual report under the Exchange Act, or if (z) such filing or use could materially affect a bona fide business or financing transaction of the Issuer or its subsidiaries or would require additional disclosure by the Issuer in the Registration Statement of material information that the Issuer has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”). Upon receipt of any written notice from the Issuer of the happening of any Suspension Event during the period that the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related prospectus contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the prospectus) not misleading, the Investor agrees that it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Shares under the Registration Statement until the Investor receives copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Issuer that it may resume such offers and sales; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Issuer shall not include any material non- public information in any such written notice. If so directed by the Issuer, the Investor will deliver to the Issuer or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Shares in the Investor’s possession.

 

d. Indemnification

 

(i) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the Investor, its directors, and officers, employees, and agents, and each person who controls the Investor (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) from and against any and all out-of-pocket losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, any reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus included in any Registration Statement or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Issuer by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein.

 

(ii) The Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Issuer (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. In no event shall the liability of the Investor be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by the Investor upon the sale of the Shares purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

-8-


 

 

(iii) Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (1) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (2) permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel it elects in its sole discretion. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses incurred by the indemnified party and shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent. An indemnifying party who elects not to assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of legal counsel to any indemnified party a conflict of interest exists between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

(iv) The indemnification provided for under this Subscription Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Shares purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

 

(v) If the indemnification provided under this Section 8(d) from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by or on behalf of, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 8d from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Any contribution pursuant to this Section 8d by any seller of Shares shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event will any party be liable for consequential, special, exemplary or punitive damages in connection with this Subscription Agreement.

 

9. Additional Investor Agreement. The Investor agrees that, from the date of this Subscription Agreement, none of the Investor or any person or entity acting on behalf of the Investor or pursuant to any understanding with the Investor will engage in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or similar instrument, including without limitation equity repurchase agreements and securities lending arrangements, however, described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition or transfer (whether by the Investor or any other person) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, physically or synthetically, of any securities of SPAC prior to the Closing, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of securities of SPAC, in cash or otherwise, or to publicly disclose the intention to undertake any of the foregoing; provided that the provisions of this Section 9 shall not apply to long sales (including sales of securities held by the Investor prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement and securities purchased by the Investor in the open market after the date of this Subscription Agreement) other than those effectuated through derivatives transactions and similar instruments.

 

-9-


 

10. Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earliest to occur of (a) such date and time as the Transaction Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms without being consummated, (b) upon the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto and the Company to terminate this Subscription Agreement, and (c) 30 days after the Outside Date (as defined in the Transaction Agreement as in effect on the date hereof), if the Closing has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach of the Investor’s obligations hereunder (the termination events described in clauses (a)– (c) above, collectively, the “Termination Events”); provided that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of termination, and each party will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover losses, liabilities or damages arising from any such willful breach. The Issuer shall notify the Investor in writing of the termination of the Transaction Agreement promptly after the termination of such agreement. Upon the occurrence of any Termination Event, this Subscription Agreement shall be void and of no further effect and any monies paid by the Investor to the Issuer in connection herewith shall promptly (and in any event within two (2) business days) following the Termination Event be returned to the Investor.

 

11. Trust Account Waiver. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving SPAC and one or more businesses or assets. The Investor further acknowledges that, as described in SPAC’s prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated February 11, 2021 (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of SPAC’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of SPAC’s initial public offering and private placement of its securities, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of SPAC, its public shareholders and the underwriters of SPAC’s initial public offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to SPAC to pay its tax obligations and to fund certain of its working capital requirements, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only for the purposes set forth in the Prospectus. For and in consideration of SPAC entering into this Subscription Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Investor hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind it has or may have in the future, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to limit the Investor’s right, title, interest or claim to any monies held in the Trust Account by virtue of its record or beneficial ownership of shares of SPAC currently outstanding on the date hereof, pursuant to a validly exercised redemption right with respect to any such shares of SPAC, except to the extent that the Investor has otherwise agreed with SPAC to not exercise such redemption right.

 

12. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to the parties hereunder (other than the Shares acquired hereunder, if any) may be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto; provided that (i) this Subscription Agreement and any of the Investor’s rights and obligations hereunder may be assigned to any fund or account managed by the same investment manager as the Investor or by a controlled affiliate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of such investment manager without the prior consent of SPAC and the Issuer and (ii) the Investor’s rights under Section 8 may be assigned to an assignee or transferee of the Shares; provided further that prior to such assignment any such assignee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms hereof; provided, that no assignment pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 12 shall relieve the Investor of its obligations hereunder.

 

b. The Issuer may request from the Investor such additional information as the Issuer may deem necessary to register the resale of the Shares and evaluate the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Shares, and the Investor shall promptly provide such information as may reasonably be requested to the extent readily available; provided, that, the Issuer agrees to keep any such information provided by Investor confidential except (i) as necessary to include in any registration statement the Issuer is required to file hereunder, (ii) as required by the federal securities law or pursuant to other routine proceedings of regulatory authorities or (iii) to the extent such disclosure is required by law, at the request of the staff of the SEC or regulatory agency or under the regulations of any national securities exchange on which SPAC’s securities are listed or the Issuer’s securities will be listed for trading. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that if it does not provide the Issuer with such requested information, the Issuer may not be able to register the Investor’s Shares for resale pursuant to Section 8 hereof. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC and/or the Issuer may file a copy of this Subscription Agreement (or a form of this Subscription Agreement) with the SEC as an exhibit to a periodic report or a registration statement of SPAC and/or the Issuer.

 

-10-


 

c. The Investor acknowledges that SPAC, the Issuer, the Company and others will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement, including Schedule A hereto. Prior to the Closing, the Investor agrees to promptly notify SPAC, the Issuer and the Company if any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 above are no longer accurate in any material respect (other than those acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in which case the Investor shall notify SPAC and the Issuer if they are no longer accurate in any respect). The Investor acknowledges and agrees that each purchase by the Investor of Shares from the Issuer will constitute a reaffirmation of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties herein (as modified by any such notice) by the Investor as of the time of such purchase.

 

d. Each of the Issuer and the Investor acknowledges and agrees that each representation, warranty, covenant and agreement of the Issuer and the Investor hereunder is being made also for the benefit of the Company after the Closing.

 

e. SPAC, the Issuer and the Company are each entitled to rely upon this Subscription Agreement and each is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

f. All of the agreements, representations and warranties made by each party hereto in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing.

 

g. This Subscription Agreement may not be modified, waived or terminated (other than pursuant to the terms of Section 10 above) except by an instrument in writing, signed by each of the parties hereto, provided, however, that no modification or waiver by the Issuer of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Company (other than modifications or waivers that are solely ministerial in nature or otherwise immaterial and do not affect any economic or any other material term of this Subscription Agreement). No failure or delay of either party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have hereunder.

 

h. This Subscription Agreement (including the schedule hereto) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as set forth in Section 8(d), Section 10, Section 12(c), Section 12(d), Section 12(e), Section 12(g), this Section 12(h), Section 13 and the last sentence of Section 12(l), with respect to the persons specifically referenced therein, this Subscription Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, and the parties hereto acknowledge that such persons so referenced are third party beneficiaries of this Subscription Agreement with right of enforcement for the purposes of, and to the extent of, the rights granted to them, if any, pursuant to the applicable provisions; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, the Company is an intended third party beneficiary of each of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and may rely on such provisions.

 

i. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

-11-


 

j. If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

k. This Subscription Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail or in .pdf) and by different parties in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts so executed and delivered shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

l. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement, without posting a bond or undertaking and without proof of damages, to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to specifically enforce the Investor’s obligations to fund the Subscription Amount and the provisions of the Subscription Agreement of which the Company is an express third party beneficiary, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

m. If any change in the number, type or classes of authorized shares of the Issuer (including the Shares), other than as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement or any agreement contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, shall occur between the date hereof and immediately prior to the Closing by reason of reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including reverse stock split) or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend, the number of Shares issued to the Investor shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such change.

 

n. This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof) as to all matters (including any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, mediation, claim, charge, complaint, inquiry, proceeding, hearing, audit, investigation or reviews by or before any governmental entity related hereto), including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies.

 

o. Each party hereto hereby, and any person asserting rights as a third party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it, irrevocably agrees that any action, suit or proceeding between or among the parties hereto, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, arising in connection with any disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement or any related document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (“Legal Dispute”) shall be brought only to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in the State of New York, and each party hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding that is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. During the period a Legal Dispute that is filed in accordance with this Section 12(o) is pending before a court, all actions, suits or proceedings with respect to such Legal Dispute or any other Legal Dispute, including any counterclaim, cross-claim or interpleader, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court. Each party hereto and any person asserting rights as a third party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any Legal Dispute, that (a) such party is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason, (b) such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court, (c) such party’s property is exempt or immune from execution, (d) such action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (e) the venue of such action, suit or proceeding is improper. A final judgment in any action, suit or proceeding described in this Section 12(o) following the expiration of any period permitted for appeal and subject to any stay during appeal shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable laws. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY MAY DO SO ONLY IF HE, SHE OR IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.

 

-12-


 

p. Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder to be given to the Investor shall be in writing and either delivered personally, emailed or sent by overnight mail via a reputable overnight carrier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to such address(es) or email address(es) set forth on the signature page hereto, and shall be deemed to be given and received (i) when so delivered personally, (ii) when sent, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, if sent by email, or (iii) three (3) business days after the date of mailing to the address below or to such other address or addresses as the Investor may hereafter designate by notice to SPAC and the Issuer.

 

13. Non-Reliance and Exculpation. The Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation, other than the statements, representations and warranties of the Issuer expressly contained in Section 5 of this Subscription Agreement and those statements, representations and warranties of SPAC expressly contained in Section 7, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Issuer. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that none of (i) any other investor pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or any other subscription agreement related to the private placement of the Shares (including the investor’s respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), or (ii) any other party to the Transaction Agreement or any Non-Party Affiliate (other than the Issuer and SPAC with respect to the previous sentence), shall have any liability (including in contract, tort, under federal or state securities laws or otherwise) to the Investor, or to any other investor, pursuant to, arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement or any other subscription agreement related to the private placement of the Shares, the negotiation hereof or thereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including, without limitation, with respect to any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Shares or with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Subscription Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished by SPAC, the Issuer, the Company or any Non-Party Affiliate concerning SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of their respective controlled affiliates, this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “Non- Party Affiliates” means each former, current or future officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or affiliate of SPAC, the Issuer, the Company, any of SPAC’s, the Issuer’s the Company’s or any family member of the foregoing.

 

14. Disclosure. SPAC shall, by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third (3rd) business day immediately following the date of this Subscription Agreement, issue one or more press releases or file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K (collectively, the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other material, nonpublic information that SPAC and/or the Issuer has provided to the Investor at any time prior to the filing of the Disclosure Document. Upon the issuance of the Disclosure Document, to the knowledge of SPAC, the Investor shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information received from SPAC or any of its officers, directors, or employees or agents, and the Investor shall no longer be subject to any confidentiality or similar obligations under any current agreement, whether written or oral, with SPAC, the Issuer or any of their respective affiliates, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, SPAC shall not publicly disclose the name of the Investor or any of its affiliates or advisers, or include the name of the Investor or any of its affiliates or advisers in any press release or in any filing with the SEC or any regulatory agency or trading market, without the prior written consent of the Investor, except (i) as required by the federal securities law or pursuant to other routine proceedings of regulatory authorities, (ii) to the extent such disclosure is required by law, at the request of the staff of the SEC or regulatory agency or under the regulations of any national securities exchange on which SPAC’s securities are listed for trading or (iii) to the extent such announcements or other communications contain only information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved in accordance with this Section 14.

 

SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW

 

-13-


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor has executed or caused this Subscription Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first written above.

 

Name of Investor:  

State/Country of Formation or Domicile:

UNITED KINGDOM

     
INVESTOR    
     
By: /s/ CHHIBBER, SIRV PARVESH    
Name: CHHIBBER, SIRV PARVESH    
Title: Authorized Signature    
     
Name in which Shares are to be registered (if different):    
     
Investor’s EIN:    
     
Business Address-Street: 106 DRUMMOND STREET   Mailing Address-Street (if different):
     
City, State, Zip: LONDON NW1 2HN   City, State, Zip:
     
Attn: CHHIBBER, SIRV PARVESH   Attn:
     
         
     
Telephone No.:   Telephone No.:
Facsimile No.:   Facsimile No.:
     
Number of Shares subscribed for: 176,470    
     
Aggregate Subscription Amount: $1,499,995.00   Price Per Share: $8.50

 

You must pay the Subscription Amount by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice.

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

-14-


 

Catcha Investment Corp.  
   
By: /s/ Lucas Robert Elliot  
Name:  Lucas Robert Elliott  
Title: President and Director  

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

-15-


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has accepted this Subscription Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Crown LNG Holdings  
   
By: /s/ Joern Husemoen  
Name:  Joern Husemoen  
Title: Director  

 

[Signature Page to Subscription Agreement]

 

-16-


 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INVESTOR

 

A. QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS

 

(Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

☐ We are a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”)).

 

B. INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS (Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

þ We are an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act or an entity in which all of the equity holders are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), and have marked and initialed the appropriate box on the following page indicating the provision under which we qualify as an “accredited investor.”

 

Rule 501(a), in relevant part, states that an “accredited investor” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below liste categories, or who the issuer reasonably believes comes within any of the below listed categories, at the time of the sale of the securities to that person. The Investor has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below which apply to the Investor and under which the Investor accordingly qualifies as an “accredited investor.”

 

☐ Any bank, registered broker or dealer, insurance company, registered investment company, business develo ment company, or small business investment company;

 

☐ Any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

☐ Any employee benefit plan, within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if a bank, insurance company, or registered investment adviser makes the investment decisions, or if the plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

☐ Any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

 

☐ Any trust with assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed to acquire the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person;

 

þ Any entity, of a type not listed above, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, owning investments in excess of $5,000,000; or

 

☐ Any entity in which all of the equity owners are “accredited investors” under Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act meeting one or more of the above tests.

 

This page should be completed by the Investor and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement.

 

-17-

 

 

EX-4.9 6 ea020814101ex4-9_crown.htm SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 22, 2024, BY AND BETWEEN CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED AND MILLENNIA CAPITAL PARTNERS LIMITED

Exhibit 4.9

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Lending Agreement (“Agreement”) is made on 22nd May 2024 (“Effective Date”) by and between Millennia Capital Partners Limited, with its principal place of business at OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (“Lender”) and Crown LNG Holdings Limited with a principal place of residence or business located at 3rd Floor, 4 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 9WG (“Borrower”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in Section 1. Each a “Party”, collectively the “Parties”.

 

THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE OR SELL SECURITIES. BORROWER SHOULD NOT EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT AND OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS UNLESS BORROWER HAS: (1) READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE CONTENTS HEREIN; (2) DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN ARE APPROPRIATE FOR BORROWER AFTER CONSIDERING BORROWER’S FINANCIAL SITUATION AND NEEDS, TAX STATUS, INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, INVESTMENT TIME HORIZON, LIQUIDITY NEEDS, RISK TOLERANCE, AND ANY OTHER CONDITION OR CONCERN RELEVANT TO BORROWER; AND (3) HAS CAPACITY AND WHEREWITHAL TO POST MARGIN IN THE EVENT OF MARGIN-CALL. IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN SATISFIED AND THAT BORROWER AT ALL TIMES THROUGHOUT HAD CONSULTED LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COUNSEL TO ASSIST IT IN MAKING DECISIONS.

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower is desirous to pledge certain Collateral and in return has requested that the Lender provides one or more loans to Borrower;

 

WHEREAS, the Lender has agreed to extend one or more collateralized loans to Borrower on the terms set forth herein and Borrower is hereby agreeing to accept a Loan from Lender as determined by Lender and the herein Terms and Conditions;

 

WHEREAS, upon execution of this Agreement, Lender’s Lien and security interest over the Collateral are hereby affirmed, ratified provided for and established, and from time to time the Parties hereto may enter into transactions in which Borrower will obtain Securities Loans from Lender secured by Collateral Transferred to Lender. Each such transaction shall be governed by this Agreement, which may be amended by the Parties in writing from time to time, and includes any supplemental terms or conditions contained in any Loan Document, as applicable, hereunder;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of mutual promises and other good, valuable, and sufficient consideration and mutual covenants, provided for, bargained and accepted, the adequacy and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, both monetary and in kind, which consideration has materialized and will continue to materialize during the Term thereof, the Parties agree that the fair value of consideration each Party is delivering, accepting, have already exchanged and will continue to exchange, equals to or exceeds the fair value that it is receiving and bargained for, and that such consideration is reasonably just, equitable, fair, sufficient and adequate, the Parties hereto intending to be bound by mutual promises, representations and warranties hereby, agree as follows:

 

Page 1 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

SECTION 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Defined Terms

 

“Acceleration” means when there is an Event of Default and all funds, sums and amounts due to Lender are accelerated and become due and owed at that time.

 

“Acknowledgment” means a writing from the Custodial Broker acknowledging receipt of the Collateral.

 

“Addendum” means a document executed by both Parties amending or supplementing the herein Agreement in written form.

 

“Advance” shall refer to any sum of money provided by Lender to Borrower or to Borrowers designated account and in all such cases such funds shall be deemed to be a Loan.

 

“Agreement” means this Agreement and any other addendums or documents in written form which combined constitute as one Agreement, part and parcel.

 

“Amendment” means a document executed by both Parties which will amend this Agreement and alter its content.

 

“Approved Loan Amount” means the maximum sum of money or proportionate part thereof that the Lender is willing and able to extend to Borrower in accordance with the Transferred Collateral deposited with Custodial Broker.

 

“Borrower” means the individual or corporate entity as Borrower described herein, whose intention it is to borrow funds from the herein specified Lender.

 

“Borrower’s Account” An account belonging exclusively to Borrower and maintained at a commercial bank or the Depository Broker.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday observed by the Custodial Broker, bank, Transfer Agent, or the principal securities exchange for the securities underlying the Collateral.

 

“Cash Collateral” means Loan Principal Amount deposited by Lender into Borrowers account at the commercial bank or Depository Broker. The Cash Collateral amount is restricted until such time as it is released by Lender and shall equal the amount to be disbursed by the Lender relative to LTV and Underwriting criterion thereof and can be adjusted or withdrawn by Lender.

 

“Closing” means when the Loan is funded, and Borrower receives the Principal.

 

“Closing Date” means a date within three (3) Business Days after the Delivery Date and Verification.

 

“Closing Statement” shall mean a document issued and executed by Lender at Closing, followed by funding of the Loan which outlines final provisions and terms of the Loan. The Closing Statement will list out gross funding amount as well as net funding amount after deduction of all customary expenses.

  

“Collateral” means the securities in electronic form pledged to a Custodial Broker. The securities must be freely trading, unrestricted, uncontested by third-Parties, free of any regulatory constraints or limitations, having all necessary announcements filed and made so as not to inhibit the trading, disposal or transfer of the securities. For avoidance of doubt, all dividends, rights, title and interest remain with the borrower until an event of default.

 

“Confirmation” means a document issued by Lender which references the final provisions and financial terms of the Loan prior to disbursement of the Proceeds.

 

“Control Account” when applicable, shall be the account owned by the Borrower into which the pledged collateral owned by Borrower with all rights, title and interest will be deposited as Collateral for the Loan. For avoidance of doubt, all associated rights and titles remain with the borrower until an event of default.

 

Page 2 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

 

“Conversions and Calculations” means a process of converting one form of currency into another country’s usable currency based on prevailing exchange rates at the time that the Calculation is made, which Calculation shall be made at the sole Discretion of Lender.

 

“Cure Period” means five (5) Business Days during which Borrower can remedy curable Event of Default of this Agreement without penalty, each of which remedy, if provided, is described in Section 11 hereof.

 

“Currency” means that the Parties agree that the Loan shall be funded and computed in currency of the United States Dollar (“USD”). If the Collateral is a security which is priced and traded in a market and currency other than USD the Parties hereby agree to convert to USD at Discretion of Lender for all purposes to the nearest round number and calculate the currency exchange rate to USD from the currency of the market in which the security is traded, according to the rate of a bank decided by the Lender.

 

“Custodial Broker” shall have the same meaning as “Custody Broker” and means a regulated financial institution selected by Lender as custodian for the Collateral.

 

“Custodial Broker Fee” shall mean an annual fee charged by Custodial Broker for custody and maintenance of the Transferred Collateral deposited into the Control Account during the Loan Term. At no time will the fee exceed one (1%) percent per year of value of the Collateral as determined on Transfer Day. First year fee is due and payable to Custodial Broker directly. In subsequent years and thereafter, the said fee shall be due and payable to Lender yearly within three (3) days of the yearly anniversary of the Effective Date, beginning with the second anniversary, without reminder or further demand.

 

“Default Interest” shall mean the rate which Borrower will pay, computed annually starting from the Notice of Event of Default, until all sums due Lender are fully satisfied and discharged. The Default Interest rate shall be the Interest charged herein plus an additional one and one half (1.5%) percent per month, or the maximum amount allowed under the law, whichever is less.

 

“Delivery Day” means one (1) Business Day after the Transferred Collateral has been received and posted to Control Account at the Custodial Broker and is the date on which Delivery Day is recorded and dispatched to Lender after Custodial Broker’s validation that Collateral has transferred to the Control Account, settled and is ready for a loan.

 

“Depository Broker” means any securities depository, clearing corporation, dematerialized book entry system or similar system for the central handling of Securities.

 

“Discretion of Lender” means that the Lender has the sole power or right to decide or act according to its own judgment or freedom of choice.

 

“Encumber” has the same meaning as Encumbrance.

 

“Encumbrance” is a legal claim on property that affects the owner’s ability to transfer ownership of the property or to mortgage it, lien or pledge it to any other person or entity. Borrower will not be able to encumber the Collateral to any other person or entity.

 

Encumbrance includes any variation of and shall mean a lien, burden, transfer, pledge, mortgage, borrow, pawn, hypothecation, rehypothecation, repledge, charge, conveyance, repo, transfer or assignment of security interest in Transferred Collateral, restriction, legal charge or cloud on title with all such rights granted to Lender during the Loam Term.

 

“Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 11.1 hereof as a result of an incurable Event of Default in this or any other loan agreement.

 

“Fair Market Price” hereinafter known as (“FMP”) and mean the lowest of: (a) the average final trading price of the Collateral traded on five (5) consecutive Business Days prior to its transfer to Custodial Broker and recorded as Delivery Day.

 

“Fair Market Value” hereinafter known as (“FMV”) shall mean the sum, in the currency specified herein, equating to the FMP for each share of stock of the Collateral, multiplied by the total number of such shares Transferred to Lender, cumulative sum of which is the FMV.

 

Page 3 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

“Forbearance” shall mean that the Lender will refrain from enforcing the terms of this Agreement in exchange of payment by Borrower, modification of this Agreement or other good and considerable value tendered to Lender.

 

“Forfeiture” means forfeiture of the Collateral as provided herein with all rights, title and interest transferred to Lender as a result of incurable Event of Default. The Collateral is seized and impounded by Lender as a result of Borrowers willful refusal to comply with the conditions of this Agreement which remain uncured, or as a result of other conditions.

 

“Hybrid Loan” shall have the same meaning as a Loan with respect to its purpose but shall mean that this Agreement is structured as an Investment and a Loan, resulting in a Hybrid Loan and Investment.

 

“Interest” means the rate which the Lender charges for the use of its funds expressed as a percentage of Principal borrowed. Interest is computed annually based on all the sums advanced to Borrower or on Borrowers behalf, including that of Cash Collateral and shall be paid to Lender quarterly.

 

“Invest” shall have the same meaning as herein Investment.

 

“Investment” shall mean that this Loan may be construed as a speculative Investment. Borrower being considered a sophisticated professional investor, and Borrower being aware of all the risks associated with making a major Investment where the outcome is unpredictable.

 

“Investment Risk” means that margin borrowing entails risk which is commensurate with any type of a speculative investment where the results and the outcome are both unpredictable and whereby the consequences could be materially negative. Borrower is fully informed of all risks, is a seasoned professional investor and is prepared to accept an unpredictable outcome having realized that this is a speculative undertaking.

 

“Issuer” shall mean a publicly traded corporate entity that has issued and distributed the shares of its stock on any given publicly traded stock exchange, whose shares comprise part or all of the Collateral.

 

“Lender” means specifically the legal entity described herein, whose intention it is to lend funds to Borrower, all under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and provision stated thereof.

 

“Lenders Discretion” shall also mean, “satisfactory to,” “determined by,” “at the Discretion of,” or other similar terms, whereby such terms shall mean at the sole and exclusive determination acceptable to Lender.

 

“Lenders Remedy” shall mean the termination of this Agreement with all rights and covenants of survivorship, specifically termination of the Loan and retention of the Collateral whereby it is Forfeited to Lender to satisfy all of Borrowers Obligations as provided herein, which may result because of incurable Event of Default by Borrower.

 

“Lien” means an Encumbrance, however described herein, of any kind and type concerning the subject Collateral. A Lien is granted by Borrower onto Lender during duration of this Agreement, until fully satisfied and released by Lender. The Lien shall consist of transfer of all rights of Collateral to Lender, which rights shall include rights to Encumbrance on title and ownership. The Lien will be released, and Collateral returned to Borrower at Loan Maturity. For avoidance of doubt, all associated rights and titles remain with the borrower until an event of default.

 

“Lien Rights” refers to a Lien and has the same meaning.

 

“Loan” means the total amount Advanced to Borrower and due under this Agreement, including all interest, costs, fees, and expenses due to Lender are included within this definition. The Loan includes all fees, costs, sums and charges due to Lender under this Agreement. The Loan shall mean full sum or proportional allotment of funds borrowed by Borrower or Advanced by Lender on behalf of Borrower and all or any part thereof will remain outstanding until fully satisfied and discharged. At the sole Discretion of Lender, all conversions and calculations shall be rounded to the nearest number for convenience purposes.

 

“Loan Documents” means all agreements and ancillary documents between Borrower and Lender in connection with this Agreement, all as amended or extended from time to time, including any other documents, instruments, Addendums, exhibits, or statements delivered in connection with the Loan, and each document is to be read and construed together in a manner to give meaning and effect to all its provisions.

 

Page 4 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

“Loan Maturity” shall mean the date when the Loan will mature and all Obligations hereunder will be due and payable by Borrower to Lender.

 

“Loan to Value” (“LTV”) means ratio of the Loan to the value of Collateral. The LTV is calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the FMV.

 

“Lock Up” shall mean the period agreed to by Borrower and Lender during which the subject Loan may not be pre-paid by the Borrower.

 

“Market Impact” In the event the Collateral experiences a Material Event, change in underwriting, restriction, Borrowers willful lack of cooperation, or material change in average daily trading volume or price, or negative market dynamics, negative financial implications of Issuer, or regulatory non- compliance by Issuer, then Lender shall have the right to halt or adjust funding based on new underwriting or until such circumstances are dissipated or cured.

 

“Market Price” means the current sale price of the Collateral trading on any given exchange, either during the normal exchange hours or the last price when the exchange closes for the balance of the trading day.

 

“Material Event” means any event or possible outcome which may undermine or alter the value of Collateral or prejudice Lenders Lien. A Material Event will accelerate an Event of Default without a Cure Period and provide for disposition of Collateral.

 

“Maturity” shall have the same meaning as Loan Maturity.

 

“Maturity Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1.

 

“Obligations” shall mean all obligations and liabilities of Borrower to Lender of every kind, type, nature and description, arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

“Origination Fee” means a one-time fee charged by Lender and deducted from the Principal at Closing.

The subject fee is a commission paid-out to referral agents, including but not limited to documentation and loan preparation fees

 

“Pay-Off Amount” means the amount in USD that you will need to pay to satisfy the Terms of the Loan. The Pay-Off Amount shall be requested of Lender by Borrower in writing ten (10) Business Days in advance of the actual Pay-Off Date. The Pay-Off Amount shall be sent by wire transfer in USD to the Depository Broker at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Pay-Off Date.

 

“Pay-Off Date” means the date determined by Lender on which Borrower will tender the Pay-Off Amount to Lender in exchange for Lender releasing the Lien on the Collateral being held at the Depository Broker.

 

“Parties” when capitalized, the word means both Borrower and Lender and no other. When not capitalized, shall refer to any other third party.

 

“Principal” means the amount of money borrowed by Borrower under Section 3.1(a) hereof, or the actual amount funded. For purposes of this Agreement, the Principal represents any sum of money, in whole or in part or any combination thereof and in any currency, deposited by Lender into Borrowers commercial bank account or Control Account at the Custodial Broker or advanced to any party on Borrowers behalf in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Proceeds” means the Principal less any Origination Fee (defined herein), costs, or expenses, if applicable, not paid in advance by Borrower.

 

“Professional Investor” means that if Borrower is an individual, the Borrower is deemed to be a sophisticated person as determined by Borrowers residency or place of domicile.

 

“Proof of Funds” means written proof in a manner acceptable to Lender of cash or liquid securities held in the Borrower’s name.

 

“Registry Agent” shall have the same meaning as Transfer Agent.

 

“Security Interest” means an enforceable legal claim and lien on Collateral that has been pledged to the Lender to obtain a loan.

 

Page 5 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

“Statement of Knowledge” shall mean any statements, representations or warranties which are based upon the knowledge of the Borrower, constructive or otherwise, whether Borrower knew or should have known or was expected to know.

 

“Stock Exchange” shall mean any publicly traded stock exchange where the securities of Issuer are traded.

 

“Sub-Custodial” shall mean any regulated financial institution which may sub-custody the Collateral for and on-behalf of the Custodial Broker.

 

“Term” means the period beginning on Closing Day and ending on Maturity Date. In the event of the Loan being paid out proportionately in tranches, the Term shall begin when each tranche (if any) is funded to Borrower.

 

“Terms and Conditions” shall mean all of the terms, provisions, covenants, rights, obligations, warranties, representations and conditions.

 

“Top-Up” means that in the event of a Valuation Event, the Borrower must transfer to Custodial Broker cash or additional securities in accordance with Section 10 of this Agreement and prop-up the Control Account which value has deteriorated.

 

“Trading Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which the Stock Exchange on which the shares of Issuer trade is open, functioning and trading under its applicable rules.

 

“Tranche” means segments or parts created from a whole, which at all times is determined at the Discretion of Lender.

 

“Transaction” shall mean the contemplated Loan and this Agreement.

 

“Transfer Agent” means the entity selected by Issuer to maintain and record the ownership of shares by Issuer of securities.

 

“Transferred Collateral” shall mean securities of Issuer owned by Borrower free and clear, pledged to the Lender as security for the Loan. For avoidance of doubt, all associated rights and titles remain with the borrower until and event of default.

 

“Underwriting” means Lender’s Discretionary analyses of Collateral and Borrower with respect to risk and Loan qualification. The Collateral and Principal may be impacted by due diligence as well as underlying financial and economic market dynamics at the time of Loan disbursement.

 

“Valuation Event” means that the Market Price of the Collateral and the underlying securities or its trading volume has fallen below a pre-defined level reflected in the Closing Statement, creating a material condition where funding must cease until in Lenders sole Discretion, such condition is resolved.

 

“Verification” means the period in time during which Lender will verify the validity of Collateral for efficacy and legitimacy in accordance with its risk management policy.

 

“Voting Rights” means the right of legal title holder to vote on matters of corporate policy.

 

Page 6 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

SECTION 2

 

FUNDING PREREQUISITES

 

2.1 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Lender’s obligation to fund the Loan is subject to the following conditions precedent: (a) execution of this Agreement; (b) Lender’s receipt of Custodial Broker acknowledgment that the Transferred Collateral has been deposited, verified and ready for a Loan; (c) Lender’s, Custodial Brokers and Borrower’s execution of a Custodial Management Agreement (“CMA”) with Custodial Broker; (d) furnish evidence of title; (e) Borrowers and Lender’s cooperation with any due diligence; (f) that all matters are in a manner, substance and form satisfactory to Lender and its counsel; and (g) no occurrence of an event that would be considered an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 3

 

LOAN TERMS

 

3.1 Principal and Interest.

 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower or its nominee will pledge to Lender by transferring into the designated custodian account; up to 730,000 shares of Crown LNG Holdings AS and (hereinafter (“Transferred Collateral”), which shares Lender as consideration for the subject Loan Facility, Thus, Lender hereby agrees to make advances to the Borrower up to United States Dollars Four Million (USD$4,000,000) hereinafter (“Approved Loan Amount”) at Fifty-five Percent (55%) Loan to Value (“LTV”) of the current Market Value of the securities comprising the Transferred Collateral whichever is higher.

 

(b) Lender shall deposit United States Dollars Four Million (USD$4,000,000) account of Borrower at the Custodial Broker or an account designated by the borrower.

 

(c) The Borrower shall be entitled to the appreciation, should there be any, of the Market Value of the Collateral if the Loan is repaid in full by the Maturity Date.

 

(d) The Term Loan shall bear 6.00% effective interest per year calculated annually on outstanding sum of money advanced to Borrower or on Borrower’s behalf and shall be payable quarterly. Interest shall be paid as set forth in Section 3.4(b) below.

 

3.2 Collateral Currency. If Collateral is a security which is priced in a currency other than United States Dollar (“USD”), the Parties hereto agree to convert the Market Value to USD for all purposes related to this Agreement. Any currency conversion shall be effected by a bank selected by Lender.

 

3.3 Dividends. Any dividends received on account of the Collateral shall be credited to the Borrower’s account at the Custodial Broker against the Principal at Loan Maturity. Dividends may not be used to offset any sums due to Lender prior to the Maturity Date. If an Event of Default occurs and is not timely cured, at Lenders sole Discretion, the dividends shall be used to satisfy Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

3.4 Payments.

 

(a) Payments of interest and principal must be made by wire transfer, certified check, or any method as may be directed by Lender.

 

(b) The Lender shall deduct the first interest payment due here under from the Proceeds. The second interest payment shall be due on the first Business Day of each and every 90 days following the Closing Date and interest thereon shall be calculated based on the actual number of days elapsed from the Closing Date, and interest thereon shall be calculated based on the actual number of days elapsed from the due date of the previous interest payment.

 

Page 7 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

3.5 Fees and Expenses.

 

(a) Origination Fee. Borrower shall pay Lender five percent (5%) of the approved loan amount (the “Origination Fee”) non-refundable and fully earned upon execution of each tranche and Borrow hereby authorizes Lender to deduct the said Fees from the Principal at Closing from the funds Advanced by Lender.

 

(b) Potential Principal Increases. If the Market Value of the Collateral increases, Borrower may request in writing that Lender increase the Principal at the same loan-to-value ratio as provided herein. In its sole, reasonable Discretion Lender may determine whether to extend additional funding in addition to the Principal. Borrower may avail itself of the right to request additional funding no more than once every three (3) months. Any such increase shall be affected by a written Amendment to this Agreement.

 

(c) Prepayment. During the first Twelve (12) months, there shall be no prepayment, unless (a) there has been a Change in Collateral event or (b) Lender grants written permission for prepayment. Any prepayment of principal shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Collateral” means substantially all of the equity of the Issuer is acquired in a cash or stock and cash transaction and the stock or security representing the Collateral ceases to be publicly traded.

 

(d) Application of Payments. Funds received from or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Loan Agreement shall be applied in the following manner:

 

(1) The payment of fees, penalties and expenses due pursuant to any provision of the Loan and related documents, then

 

(2) All Obligations, other than accrued and/or unpaid interest or any portion of the outstanding Principal, then

 

(3) The payment of accrued and/or unpaid interest, then

 

(4) When specifically allowed by the Loan Agreement, payment of the outstanding Principal balance, and then

 

(5) The balance, if any, returned to Borrower

 

SECTION 4

 

TERM AND MATURITY

 

4.1 Maturity Date. On the Thirty Sixth (36) Month after the Closing Date (the “Maturity Date”) the outstanding balance of the Facility shall be due and payable. Lender may extend the Maturity Date at the request of the Borrower, which extension must be evidenced in writing and If, within five (5) Business Days after the Maturity Date Lender has not received the full amount due hereunder, Lender will notify Borrower in writing of an Event of Default.

 

Page 8 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

4.2 Notice of Intent to Repay. Borrower shall notify Lender in writing that Borrower intends to repay any outstanding balances on the Maturity Date no later than thirty (30) calendar days before the Maturity Date and not earlier than sixty (60) calendar days before the Maturity date by requesting the Pay-Off Amount, and Borrower shall provide Proof of Funds to repay all amounts outstanding under this Agreement no later than fourteen (14) Business Days before the Maturity Date.

 

4.3 Loan Termination; Return of Collateral to Borrower. This Agreement shall terminate (1) upon satisfaction of all of Borrower’s obligations hereunder, or (2) if an Event of Default has occurred and persists beyond the Cure Period, whichever is earlier, or (3) upon Lender’s notification to Borrower. Within three (3) Business Days of Borrower’s satisfaction of its Obligations hereunder Lender will release and discharge the Lien on the Collateral and return the Collateral, and all received dividends of the Collateral to Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall be reinstated as if the Loan had not been paid if any payment in respect of the obligations hereunder is declared to be a fraudulent conveyance, preferential transfer, is required to be returned by Lender for any reason, or is rescinded or invalidated for any reason whatsoever. Borrower acknowledges that corporate action by Issuer may modify the Collateral. Cash or securities tendered to Lender as a result of a Valuation Event are part of the Collateral to be returned to Borrower upon satisfaction of its obligations hereunder.

 

4.4 Closing. Provided the conditions in Section 2 herein are satisfied, then the Closing Date shall occur no later than three (3) Business Days after the Delivery Day, and within three (3) Business Days of the Closing Date and Verification, the Proceeds shall be paid to Borrowers Account at a commercial bank or Borrowers Account at the Custodial Broker.

 

SECTION 5

 

LOAN ATTRIBUTES

 

5.1 Restrictions on Collateral. Upon an incurable Event of Default Lender may request the Custodial Broker to dispose the Collateral in Lender’s control and Borrower shall have no further redemption rights in the Collateral. Lender will credit the Borrower for any dividends received or credited to the Lender’s account, and such credit will be returned to borrower at maturity of the Loan. No dividends will be credited to Borrower if the Issuer does not pay them to the Custodial Broker for any reason whatsoever. Upon written request by Borrower to Lender, the Borrower may use dividends received by Lender to offset any interest due to Lender prior to the Maturity Date.

 

5.2 First Lien and Security Interest. This Agreement constitutes a valid Term Loan between the Parties, and the Lender will hold and be entitled to a first priority Lien and security interest in the Transferred Collateral over any other party or creditor, and there are no defenses or offsets to the Borrowers obligations to others pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Borrower represents and hereby assures that no lien of any type is to be granted nor was granted to any other lender or third-party and neither will the same Collateral be pledged in any way to any other lender or creditor.

 

5.3 Non-Recourse. Lender agrees that the Term Loan is non-recourse, and Lender will (1) seek recourse against only the Collateral for satisfaction of Borrower’s payment obligations hereunder and (2) make no claim against Borrower or any affiliate, successor, or assign of Borrower (“Borrower’s Affiliates”) or institute any action or proceeding hereunder against Borrower or any of Borrower’s Affiliates for any deficiency remaining after crediting the Collateral to any amounts due Lender; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing Lender may enforce Borrower’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section 13 herein.

 

5.4 No Benefit Not Stated. Borrower is not entitled to receive any benefit, privilege or right not specifically stated herein. During the Loan Term, all benefits of the Collateral, implied, stated and realized shall at all times inure to the Lenders benefit first, until such time as the Loan is satisfied and all of Borrowers financial Obligations are extinguished.

 

5.5 Conditions Precedent. The obligations of Lender to make a Loan to Borrower is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent to the satisfaction of Lender:

 

(a) Duly executed Securities Lending Agreement;

 

Page 9 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

(b) The delivery of the securities in electronic form to the Custodial Broker;

 

(c) Lender has received written confirmation of Collateral transferred to Lenders Control Account at Custodial Broker;

 

(d) Verification of Collateral;

 

(e) That all matters, documentation, facts, announcements, representations and regulatory compliance with respect to the Collateral, the Issuer and the Loan have been met and are in final form and substance satisfactory to Lenders Underwriting team and general counsel as well as the Custodial Broker.

 

SECTION 6

 

BORROWER’S UNDERTAKINGS AND WARRANTIES

 

6.1 Actions Adverse to Interest of Collateral. At no time will the Borrower take actions which are adverse to the interests of the Collateral and its value. Nor can the Borrower take or vote upon any action to undermine, subvert, weaken, compromise or diminish the value of Collateral or securities of Issuer. Subject to approval by the lender, the borrower may request to issue additional shares.

 

6.2 Announcements. Borrower agrees to timely make any and all announcements required by the regulatory agency or Stock Exchange where said securities trade. If Borrower shall refuse or fail to timely make the appropriate Announcement, the Lender may do so on its own accord and on behalf of Borrower.

 

6.3 Collateral is Unencumbered. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that as of the Effective Date, the securities comprising the Collateral are Borrower’s property, freely transferable, may be hypothecated and free and clear of any Liens, restrictions, or encumbrances whatsoever, and that Borrower has the right to transfer them, and is not a defendant in any lawsuit where the ownership and control of the securities transferred as Collateral is in question, challenged or subject to confiscation or court order.

 

6.4 Due Diligence. At any time, Lender or its retained Third Party may conduct Due Diligence on the Borrower, the Collateral and Issuer, and Borrower agrees to further cooperate with the Lender and the Third Party conducting such Due Diligence. The Due Diligence may be retained by Lender and used in its Underwriting and risk assessment.

 

6.5 Full Disclosure. Borrower further represents and warrants that all statements and documentation it has provided to Lender directly or through its agents in connection with this Agreement are true, complete, and do not omit any material facts or information, which if provided, would have impacted Underwriting prudency. Borrower consents to provide to Lender any and all relevant material information which is necessary for any Lender to conduct a prudent risk assessment evaluation of Issuer and Borrower.

 

6.6 Further Assurances. Borrower represents and warrants that it shall facilitate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement in a timely fashion and in good faith, including executing any further documents required to affect the purposes of this Agreement. Borrower agrees to provide information necessary to the contemplated transaction in a timely, complete, and accurate manner.

 

6.7 Knowledge. None of the rights of Borrower arising as the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral have been surrendered, cancelled or terminated. Borrower has no knowledge of any material non-public information, inside information or similar terms as defined by applicable law with respect to governing the Issuer, which has not been generally disclosed to Lender or the public.

 

6.8 Non-Reliance. Borrower is acting for its own account and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and as to whether this transaction is suitable and appropriate or proper for it based upon its own paid advisers it has deemed necessary. Borrower further represents and warrants that it has not relied, and that neither Lender nor its employees, assignees, agents, directors or shareholders has made, any representation, advice, or recommendation with respect to the purchase or sale of securities or this Loan, amounts or timing of funding, either directly or through publication. Any written or oral statements of fact prior to the execution of this Agreement are purged and forever deleted, merged, disregarded and held for naught. Only this Agreement in its written form shall be enforceable and decisive with respect to any dealing between Borrower and Lender. Borrower will not have any right or remedy rising out of any representation, warranty or other statement not expressly set out in this Agreement.

 

Page 10 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

6.9 No Third-Party Recourse. Borrower hereby agrees that that Borrower will not bring any action or claim against any third party providing any assistance or service to Lender in connection with this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Transfer Agent, the Custodial Broker, or any agent, assignee, or referral source of the Lender (collectively, the “Lender Third- Parties”; each, a “Lender Third-Party”) who may be acting for or on behalf of the Lender in connection with this Agreement. Borrower hereby agrees to release, absolve, and forever discharge each Lender Third-Party for any liability arising from or in any way relating to actions performed by that Lender Third-Party in connection with this Agreement.

 

6.10 Professional Investor. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that Borrower is a “Professional Investor” or an Accredited Investor, that both phrases imply the same, as defined by the Borrower’s domicile or by domicile of Issuer. If Borrower is an entity, the key benefactors of the entity are Professional or Accredited Investors.

 

6.11 Regulatory Compliance. Borrower acknowledges that it is the sole responsibility of the Borrower to comply with any regulatory requirements pertaining to the Collateral and to bear any costs related thereto. Regulatory Compliance includes announcements and filings of any type.

 

6.12 Risk of Loss. Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that Borrower will execute this Agreement only if Borrower fully understands the potential risks presented by borrowing against securities on margin, which is highly speculative, and specifically that Borrower may lose and forfeit the Collateral if Borrower cannot repay the Loan, nor be able to post margin or for any other reason which may arise as a result of Event of Default. Borrower is aware of all such risks, has in fact consulted legal professionals throughout the negotiation process and is fully aware of all risks and consequences of margin borrow.

 

SECTION 7

 

BORROWER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

7.1 Borrower is aware that market conditions may cause the value of securities to decline, acknowledges that Lender is not responsible for any decline or degradation in the value of the Collateral, and understands that a decline in the Collateral’s value may require the Borrower to furnish additional securities or cash to Lender to increase the Fair Market Value of the Collateral. Borrower understands the risks related to stock lending and has the financial means to post margin upon the occurrence of the events set forth in Sections 11.

 

7.2 Borrower acknowledges and understands that if an Event of Default occurs and is not cured, Lender will seize the Collateral for its own benefit to satisfy all the Obligations of Borrower.

 

7.3 Borrower is an insider of the Issuer of the securities comprising the Collateral.

 

Page 11 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

SECTION 8

 

LENDER’S UNDERTAKINGS AND WARRANTIES

 

8.1 Lender represents and warrants to Borrower that:

 

(a) At no time shall the Lender be responsible for any price devaluation, crash, volatility or erratic trading activity of any type. Nor will Lender be responsible for any earnings of Issuer, reporting due by Issuer or any other act or responsibility owed by Issuer to the public at large or to any government body or agency of the Collateral or any news or announcements as a result of this Agreement; the delivery of the securities in electronic form to the Custodial Broker;

 

(b) Provided that all the requirements for the Loan have been satisfied, if the Lender fails to initiate disbursement of the Loan within three (3) Business Days of the Closing and Verification Date, Borrower shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and request the return of the Collateral;

 

(c) Any Voting Rights whatsoever shall remain with the Borrower, attached to the securities of Issuer or shall be controlled by the person or entity to whom Borrower had assigned them. The Lender shall not retain Voting Rights when they are not assigned on to the Lender. Voting Rights specifically not assigned to the Lender and accepted by the Lender, may not be re-assigned back or transferred on to Borrower. The Lender may reassign only those Voting Rights which it acknowledges written acceptance of.

 

SECTION 9

 

LENDER’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

9.1 Lender and its loan officers have not provided legal or tax advice of any kind to Borrower in connection with this Agreement or any other matter. Lender has recommended that prior to executing this Agreement Borrower consult a professional tax advisor to determine the tax implications, if any, of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Lender is not an insider of the Issuer of the securities comprising the Collateral. Lender does not provide investment advice and its lending officers and sales personnel are prohibited from so doing.

 

SECTION 10

 

LENDER’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

 

10.1 Upon the occurrence of an incurable Event of Default: (i) this Agreement shall continue with respect to the rights granted to Lender; (ii) the Lender may exercise any or all rights and remedies available to the Lender whether available under this Agreement or available at law or in equity: (iii) nor shall Lender be required to account to the Borrower or any other person for the proceeds payable to the Lender on account of any realization or other dealing in respect of the Transferred Collateral; (iv) any bona fide purchaser of the Collateral from the Lender shall acquire the Collateral absolutely, free from any claim or right of whatever kind by the Borrower.

 

10.2 Prior to or post an Event of Default, the Lender shall not be obligated to exhaust its recourse against the Borrower or any other person or persons or against any other security it may hold in respect to the Obligations before realizing upon or otherwise dealing with the Collateral in such manner as Lender may consider desirable in its own right. The obligations of Lender are contingent upon the obligations of Borrower being performed in entirety. Should the Borrower fail to comply with the herein Terms and Conditions, the Lender will not be obligated to fulfill its commitments either.

 

Page 12 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

 

SECTION 11

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

11.1 Events of Default. In order for there to not be an Event of Default, the Borrower must fulfill in the performance, adherence and observance of any covenant, condition or provision contained in this Agreement and any other Loan Document. In furtherance thereof, the following are Events of Default, which, if not remedied during the applicable Cure Period, if any, shall terminate this Agreement and provide for Acceleration of Loan:

 

(a) Borrower has failed to make any payment or sum due under this Agreement when due or has defaulted on any other obligation or representation hereunder which, if it can be cured, is not cured within the Cure Period;

 

(b) The securities comprising the Collateral are (A) delisted or (B) their trading is halted for five (5) or more Business Days for any reason other than a Change in Collateral; or verification of an acquisition or a lending institution or equity partner notifies the Issuer of a default, which would or could have a material adverse effect on the value of the publicly traded securities of Issuer, and which default has not been cured at the time of disclosure of such default;

 

(c) A lending institution or equity partner notifies the Issuer of a default, which would or could have a material adverse effect on the value of the publicly traded securities of Issuer, and which default has not been cured at the time of disclosure of such default;

 

(d) If any of the representations or warranties contained within this Agreement, any other Loan Document or loan application was withheld or shall be materially untrue or misleading;

 

(e) Insolvency of Borrower or the Issuer;

 

(f) Borrower informs Lender of its inability to or its intention not to perform its obligations hereunder or otherwise disaffirms, rejects, challenges or repudiates this Agreement or any of its obligations hereunder or disavows Lenders Security Interest into the Collateral; or

 

(g) There has been a decline of more than thirty per cent (30%) of the FMP used to calculate the Principal amount as reflected by the average of the last sale price on a national or international securities exchange (the “Default Floor”). If a Valuation Event occurs, then the Borrower will, without additional demand and within five (5) Business Days, automatically transfer to the Custodial Broker a top-up of shares or cash equal to twenty percent (20%) more than the FMV of the Collateral comprising of additional Collateral and cure the herein deficiency within the prescribed time allotted and thereafter a new FMP is established at twenty-five percent (25%) of the original FMP. There shall not be a limit to the number of Valuation Events for purposes of this clause.

 

11.2 Notwithstanding the Cure Period of five (5) Business Days, in the Event of Default, the Lender; should market conditions require, has the discretion to accelerate the liquidation of the collateral.

 

11.3 Remedy. If any of the foregoing Event(s) of Default are not cured within the designated Cure Period, Lender shall Accelerate and terminate this Agreement, and all amounts due hereunder shall be immediately due and the Collateral shall be forfeited to Lender together with all rights, title and interest. Borrower shall not seek any legal or equitable remedy, right of redemption, including injunctive relief, from any authority, including, but not limited to, any court, government agency, regulatory authority, transfer agent, stock exchange, or central depository, to prevent, stall or delay Lender from enforcing its rights over the Collateral as a result of an incurable Event of Default. Nothing contained herein shall obligate the Lender to maximize sales proceeds, sell at market, on any specific platform or exchange, or at any specific price, provide accountability on the forfeited Collateral or to qualify the return to Borrower remaining balance of any proceeds.

 

11.4 Suspension of Funding. If an Event of Default is triggered, the Lender shall have the right to suspend any further Loan funding.

 

Page 13 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

SECTION 12

 

ARBITRATION IN THE EVENT OF DISPUTE

 

12.1 The Parties hereby agree that any dispute(s) arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, including any question as to its existence, validity, termination, shall be settled by arbitration conducted at and resolved by the latest Singapore International Arbitration Centre rules in force when the Notice of Arbitration is submitted by three (3) arbitrators, save for in- person hearing. In such a case, each Party to the arbitration shall, in accordance with the said rules, appoint one (1) arbitrator and the arbitrators so appointed by the Parties shall in turn mutually select one (1) additional arbitrator. Irrespective of a global pandemic, the place of arbitration shall be Singapore and the proceedings shall be conducted in-person in the English language. The award shall be final and legally binding on the Parties and shall be subject to enforcement in any courts having jurisdiction over the Parties.

 

SECTION 13

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

13.1 In no event shall Lender be liable to the Borrower or to any third-party for any indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages, opportunity costs, or lost profits arising from or in any way relating to this Agreement, even if Lender has been advised of the possibility of such damages, costs, or lost profits. Borrower for itself, its successors and assigns, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Lender, any affiliate controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Lender, and each of their respective officers, directors, and employees (the “Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, fines, penalties, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which may be asserted against any Indemnified Party by any individual, entity, or regulatory or governmental authority arising from or in any way relating to Borrower’s breach of a representation, warranty, or covenant other than payment obligations respecting the Loan hereunder. This Section shall survive the any termination of this Agreement. Either Party shall indemnify and hold the other Party harmless against any and all claims, demands, proceedings, suits, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, expenses and costs (which shall include, but not limited to all costs of defense, investigation and accounting and legal fees) to which the other Party may become subject as a result of the defaulting Party’s fraud, negligence, willful misconduct or breach of any obligation under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 14

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

14.1 This Section shall govern the disclosure by a Party to the other Party of certain of the disclosing Party’s confidential and proprietary information in connection with this Agreement.

 

14.2 Confidential Information, as defined herein, is being disclosed solely to enable the Parties to enter into and perform the Agreement. “Confidential Information” means confidential or proprietary information of the disclosing Party disclosed by or on behalf of the disclosing Party in oral, written, or other tangible form or otherwise learned by the receiving Party in connection with this Agreement that should reasonably be believed to be confidential or proprietary to the disclosing Party, including but not limited to the disclosing Party’s: business practices; sources and methods; customer information; list of clients; banking information; trade secrets; and other confidential or proprietary matters related to the disclosing Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of this Agreement are Confidential Information. The receiving Party: (1) shall not use Confidential Information except in connection with this Agreement; (2) will hold Confidential Information in strictest confidence and shall not disclose Confidential Information to others, except for its employees or agents who require Confidential Information in order to carry out the receiving Party’s obligations under this Agreement and who are subject to binding obligations of confidentiality and restricted use at least as protective as those of this Agreement; (3) will protect the confidentiality of Confidential Information using at least the same level of efforts and measures used to protect its own confidential information, and at least commercially reasonable efforts and measures, including, without limitation, limiting access to Confidential Information commensurate with matters pertaining to this Agreement; and (4) will notify the disclosing Party as promptly as practicable of any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information by receiving Party, its employees, or agents of which receiving Party becomes aware; provided, however, that the obligations of this Section shall not apply to any Confidential Information that: (A) Recipient knew prior to learning it under this Agreement, as demonstrated by written records predating this Agreement; (B) is now, or becomes in the future, publicly available information other than by an act or omission of the receiving Party; (C) a third party discloses to the receiving Party, without any confidentiality obligations and without any breach of any direct or indirect obligation of confidentiality to disclosing Party, as shown by the receiving Party’s written records contemporaneous with such third- party disclosure; or (D) the receiving Party independently develops without use of or reference to Confidential Information, as demonstrated by the receiving Party’s independent written records contemporaneous with such development.

 

Page 14 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

14.3 Notwithstanding other provisions of this Agreement, the receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information to the extent and to the persons or entities requested or required under applicable governmental law, rule, regulation, or order provided that receiving Party (1) first gives prompt written notice of such disclosure requirement to disclosing Party so as to enable disclosing Party, at its sole expense, may seek to limit such disclosure and (2) reasonably cooperates at disclosing Party’s request in any such efforts by disclosing Party.

 

SECTION 15

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

15.1 Amendments. No amendment or modification to this Agreement (including any Loan Document) shall be valid unless approved or provided for in writing by Lender, provided however, Borrower’s banking information is not part of this Agreement and may be changed unilaterally but such change must be written and executed by the Borrowers authorized representative(s).

 

15.2 Assignment. Either Party may assign this Agreement in whole or in part without advance notice to the other Party but shall notify the other Party in writing thereafter.

 

15.3 Acting as Principal. Each Party hereto represents and warrants that it is entering into this Agreement as principal and not as agent of any person or entity.

 

15.4 Authority to Execute. Each Party hereto represents and warrants that (1) it has the power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder, (2) it has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, deliver, and performance, and (3) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

15.5 Bilateral Drafting. Each of the Parties to this Agreement acknowledges that it and their respective counsel jointly contributed to the drafting of this Agreement, and further agrees that the presumption that a contract must be construed against its drafter shall be inapplicable to interpretation of any portion of this Agreement. Borrower hereby waives any rule of construction that requires ambiguities in agreements to be construed against the drafter.

 

15.6 Clog on Redemption. This Agreement is not a mortgage and will not be construed as a mortgage by the Parties or any tribunal or court of law. This is a Hybrid Loan requiring an Investment through Transfer of Collateral to Lender. In case there is an Event of Default, Borrower shall not have equity of redemption or right to redeem the Transferred Collateral and no incurable Event of Default shall be construed as a clog on equity of redemption and Lenders right to forfeiture of the Collateral will trump and supersede any right of redemption. No provision of this Agreement or any action of Lender upon an incurable Event of Default will be construed as a clog on equity of redemption and Lenders right to forfeiture of Collateral is absolute and final. Borrower shall be able to redeem the Collateral after the Lock-Up period, provided that all Obligations of Borrower are satisfied, and the Loan has not experienced an incurable Event of Default.

 

Page 15 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

15.7 Consideration. The provisions in this Agreement constitute adequate, fair and sufficient consideration and any argument for lack thereof is hereby expressly waived and shall not be raised. For purposes of this provision, consideration does in fact include Lender advising, coordinating, arranging, and consulting in the financial structure of this Agreement, sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged. Consideration will include monetary and non-monetary exchanges, services, and other covenants, which are mutually recognized, provided and exchanged.

 

15.8 Conversion. Lender reserves the right to dispose the collateral upon an incurable Event of Default. Such conduct shall not take place to deteriorate market value of the Collateral and will be conducted in strict observance in order to maintain market price and integrity of the Collateral. However, at no time will the Lender be responsible for degradation of the of the stock value, whether owing to action(s) or inaction(s) of Lender.

 

15.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

15.10 Damages. Neither liquidated damages nor forfeiture by Lender shall constitute a penalty, rather enforcement events prescribed herein shall represent the satisfaction of Borrower’s obligations as renumeration and reflect a true and genuine pre- estimate of costs incurred by Lender for services associated with this Agreement.

 

15.11 Errors and Omissions. Borrower expressly agrees and acknowledges that it has had reasonable opportunity to obtain the assistance of its own counsel to fully review and participate in the negotiation and revision of any of the terms, provisions, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement prior to execution; and the decision of whether or not to seek advice of counsel with respect to this Agreement is the sole responsibility of Borrower. Therefore, under no circumstances shall Lender be liable to Borrower for any errors or omissions in this Agreement that may be disadvantageous to Borrower, or which may result in claims of actual or alleged or perceived harm to Borrower. Borrower further expressly agrees and acknowledges that any errors or omissions and balance of equities in the Agreement shall be strictly construed to favor the Lender. Once this Agreement is fully executed by both Parties, Borrower fully and completely waives all rights to correct any such errors or omissions, or to seek redress against Lender for any such errors or omissions, whether by arbitration, lawsuit or any other equitable remedy. In addition, if Borrower, or anyone on its behalf, makes a demand or claim for liability against Lender that arises out of, results from, or relates in any way to any such error or omission in this Agreement, Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lender from any such liability which may be incurred as the result of such demand or claim, including court costs and attorneys’ fees. Lender hereby expressly disclaims any implied warranty or representation as a result of any error or omission.

 

15.12 Fiduciary Duty. This Agreement is not intended to create or impose any Fiduciary Duty between the Parties. No dealing of any type between the Parties shall create or imply a Fiduciary Duty or any other duty, including the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This Agreement does not and shall not imply or present the appearance that there is a trustee or Fiduciary Duty of any type. Borrower is not entitled to common law rights which are not expressly identified and provided for herein. The Parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all Fiduciary Duties that, absent such waiver, may be implied by law, and in doing so, recognize, acknowledge and agree that their duties and obligations to one another are only as expressly set forth in this Agreement. Lender does not owe any specific accountability to Borrower which is not stated within this Agreement.

 

15.13 Force Majeure. “Force Majeure” means one or more temporary or permanent events, conditions, or circumstances preventing Lender from fulfilling a responsibility under this Agreement and includes, without limitation, acts of God, fire, flood, riot, war, stock market crash, civil unrest, terrorism, natural disasters, storms, population quarantine, epidemics, failures of utilities or telecommunications providers, government or regulatory actions, material volatility in securities of Issuer, or unscheduled bank holidays. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, Lender will not be liable to the Borrower for failure to fulfill any of its obligations hereunder to the extent it is prevented or impeded by Force Majeure. If Lender is prevented by Force Majeure from fulfilling its obligations hereunder, it shall, to the extent practicable, provide Borrower with initial oral notice of its incapacity, and as soon as possible thereafter shall provide a detailed, written narrative explaining its circumstances. Lender will make its best efforts to circumscribe or neutralize the Force Majeure, will notify the Borrower in writing of the removal of the Force Majeure condition, and will notify Borrower when it will resume performance of its obligations hereunder. This clause is applicable to Lender only and does not apply to Borrower and at no time will the Borrower use this clause to dismiss, extend or invalidate its responsibilities under the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement.

 

Page 16 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

15.14 General Release. For consideration herein provided, Borrower hereby releases, absolves and forever discharges Lender and their respective successors, assigns, partners, directors, officers, shareholders, agents, attorneys, transferees, and employees from any and all claims, legal fees, loses, set-offs, demands, cross-actions, controversies, causes of action, suits, damages, rights, torts, accusations of fraud, failings to act, negligence, liabilities and obligations, at law or in equity whatsoever, known or unknown, whether past, present or future, actual or contingent, now held, owned or possessed by Borrower, or which Borrower may, as a result of any actions or inactions occurring on or prior or after the execution of this Agreement, and hereafter hold or claim to hold or be entitled to under common law or statutory right, arising, directly or indirectly out of the Loan or any of the Loan Documents or any of the documents, instruments or any other transactions contemplated thereby. Borrower understands and agrees that this is a full, final and complete release and agrees that this release may be pleaded as an absolute and the final bar to any or all suit or suits pending, or which may hereafter be filed or prosecuted by Borrower, or anyone claiming by, through or under Borrower, in respect of any of the matters described herein may hereafter be had from anyone whomsoever.

 

15.15 Each Party to Bear Own Costs. Lender and Borrower shall each pay its own costs and expenses incurred in the negotiation, preparation, execution or enforcement of this Agreement.

 

15.16 Governing Law. This Agreement is be governed by the laws of Hong Kong without regard to conflicts of laws.

 

15.17 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

15.18 Hong Kong Disclosure. Borrower hereby attests that the Hong Kong Money Lenders Ordinance (“MLO”) does not apply to this transaction by virtue of one or more of below exemptions afforded under the MLO which the Borrower is claiming by attesting under oath, which exemptions include:

 

(a) this loan is deemed to be a commercial loan; b) Borrower is a Professional/Accredited investor and does not meet the protection covenants of the MLO; c) this loan is made to a company secured by a mortgage, charge, lien or other encumbrance, d) the loan is made to a company there the loan forms a part of a transaction involving the export or import, as the case may be, of those goods or services: e) the loan is made to a company that has a paid up share capital of not less than $1,000,000 HKD or an equivalent amount in any other approved currency; f) the loan is made bona fide for the purchase of immovable property on the security of a mortgage of that property and a loan made bona fide to refinance such a mortgage; g) a loan upon terms involving the issue by a company of debentures or other securities in respect of which a prospectus has been registered under the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32. (Amended 28 of 2012 ss. 912 & 920); h) a loan made to a company the shares or debentures of which of which are listed on a recognized stock market as defined in section 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Securities a nd Futures Ordinance (Cap.571); or (Replaced 5 of 2002 s. 407), by any other stock market declared in writing, by the Securities and Futures Commission referred to in section 3(1) of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571), to be approved for the purposes of this paragraph; i) a loan made to the subsidiary of a company referred to in paragraph 14.

 

Alternatively, the Lender hereby certifies that the Lender transacted in insufficient number of loans in a 12-month period to be considered a money lender; this loan is incidental to the business of the Lender and is not its primary business; the Lender did not solicit or induce a loan from the Borrower and is consummated outside the jurisdictional territory of Hong Kong and the Lender does not engage in, advertises or announces itself to be in the business as a money lender.

 

15.19 Inconsistent Clauses. It is possible that this Agreement and any additional Loan Documents or Addendums may accidently contain clauses or provisions which may appear to be inconsistent or conflicting. It is mutually agreed between the Parties that should a dispute arise as to the inconsistent or conflicting clauses or provisions; the Lender reserves the right to strike any such inconsistent or conflicting clause or provision and retain the clause or provision most favorable to Lender. Should any court of law or arbitration tribunal similarly deem that the Loan Documents contain inconsistent or conflicting clauses or provision, the same will be incorporated whereby the surviving clause or provision which will survive and be enforceable will be the one which will be most favorable to Lender.

 

Page 17 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

15.20 Integration. This Agreement is the final agreement between the Parties hereto and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, and communications regarding the matters set forth herein and any previous material, discussions or understanding are hereby purged.

 

15.21 Mitigation. The Lender is not required to undertake any action to mitigate Lenders damages or amounts owed by Borrower to Lender.

 

15.22 Entire Agreement. This Agreement may only be amended in writing and signed by both Parties as an Addendum. This Agreement contains the whole agreement between the Parties and neither Party has relied upon any oral or written representation made to it by the other Party, its employees or agents. Each Party has made its own independent investigations into all matters relevant to this Agreement.

 

15.23 Āon-Disparagement. The Borrower agrees not to make, or to incite or encourage any other person to make, any communication disparaging to, or critical of, the Lender, Custodial Broker or sub-Custodial, its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, directors, or employees.

 

15.24 Āotices. No Notice of any type is due by one Party to the other unless and specifically stated herein. Any notice regarding this Agreement shall be in writing, and may be sent by regular or express mail, electronic mail, or by courier to the Party at the address set forth below, and shall be deemed received upon the earlier of the date such notices are dispatched or received.

 

To Lender:

 

Millennia Capital Partners Limited

 

OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1,

 

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

 

Email: admin@millenniacp.com

 

To Borrower:

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED

 

CO/ Ogier Global (Jersey) Limited

 

3rd Floor, 4 Esplanade

 

St Helier, Jersey

 

JE4 9WG

 

Email: CFO@CROWNLNG.COM

 

A Party shall designate a new address for notices by written notice in writing to the other Party.

 

Page 18 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

15.24 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable, then such provision will be amended as necessary in Lenders favor to render it valid and enforceable or, if such amendment is impermissible or impracticable, the extant provision shall be removed, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be enforceable.

 

15.25 Singular, Plural, etc. In this Agreement, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing gender or gender neutral, will include masculine, feminine and neutral gender to include an entity. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to a “party” herein is a reference to a party hereto. Any references to “including” or “includes” means “including (or includes) without limitation”. A Party means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust or unincorporated organization.

 

15.26 Statement of Knowledge. For purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower shall be deemed to have knowledge of a particular fact or matter referenced herein, unless otherwise qualified hereunder means a statement of the Borrower declaring knowledge of the actual facts or circumstances to which such phrase relates having made inquiries or investigations in connection with such facts and circumstances, Borrower having conducted reasonably diligent inquiry into the relevant subject matter.

 

15.27 Suitability. Borrower has carefully considered, and has discussed with the Borrowers own professional legal, tax and financial advisers the suitability of this Agreement and Investment and has fully considered for purposes of this Loan the risks of this Investment, and understands that (i) this loan is an Investment and is suitable only for the investor who is able to bear the economic consequences of losing its entire Investment, (ii) the margin loan backed by the Securities is a speculative Investment which involves a high degree of risk, (iii) that there is lack of predictability in final loan amount, (iv) potential forfeiture of the Collateral, (v) that there are various unforeseen financial implications, independent and dependent on actions of Borrower, including the fluctuating and final value of the Collateral; and (vi) Borrowers inability to receive back the Collateral in the Event of Default and its adverse or diminished or non-existent value.

 

15.28 Survival. All of the Borrower’s representations, warranties, promises, waivers, obligations, releases, indemnities and covenants made in this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and all of the Lender’s rights, benefits, and interests shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

15.29 Termination. Early Termination or rescission is not permitted under the Agreement and this Agreement will be valid and in full force and effect after its execution for its full term provided for herein. This Agreement can only be terminated after its full maturity or as stipulated herein and for no other reason. All enforcement covenants, warranties, representations, conditions, releases of liability and waivers will survive termination. No other equitable relief may be obtained, but only which is hereby expressly agreed upon in writing by the Parties and here so stated.

 

15.30 Validity. All of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be in full force and effect upon its execution and is irrespective of the amount funded by Lender. After the execution of this Agreement by both Parties, it is mutually understood and agreed that this Agreement may only be terminated by Lender in writing upon written release by Lender of Borrowers Obligations. A waiver or omission of any one covenant or provision shall not invalidate any other covenant or provision. At no time will the amount funded weight-in on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

Page 19 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

15.31 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless agreed to in writing by the Party against whom such waiver is asserted, including any and all Events of Default by Borrower. By exercising, omitting, delaying or failing to exercise any of its rights, options or elections afforded to Lender hereunder, the Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any breach or declaration of an Event of Default on the part of Borrower or to have released Borrower from any obligations hereunder, unless such waiver is in writing and is signed by the Lender. In all circumstances, the Lender reserves the right to delay the declaration of an Event of Default, should the Lender in its sole opinion choose to do so, and no such delay shall in any way be deemed to have been a waiver. Borrower will not undermine the Collateral, nor seek injunctive relief from any court of law, regulatory body, transfer agent, or stock exchange requesting to invalidate, suspend, limit, impede, terminate or restrict this Agreement during its Term. Injunctive relief by Borrower or any interference by Borrower or central depository agency shall be an immediate and an incurable Event of Default. Borrower will not interfere in any way or challenge the validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the same shall be a Breach thereof. Borrower will not take any suit or action against third Parties or affiliates who may be acting on behalf of or for the Lender within the scope of this Agreement any dispute or controversy with third Parties arising from this Agreement will solely be limited to this Agreement which must be resolved in accordance with the arbitration agreed to herein. It is hereby agreed that third Parties such as the Depository Broker, Global Custodial, sub-custodians, Transfer Agent, referral sources or other affiliates, agents, or assignees of Lender facilitating the scope of this Agreement are hereby indemnified, released, forever discharged and absolved from any claim, controversy or action whatsoever. In case of an incurable Event of Default, unjust enrichment, right of redemption, overreaching and extreme remedy is hereby forever waived by the Borrower and the Borrower will not assert any right or claim against the forfeited collateral or against Lenders arbitrary, self-serving and subjective interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement. No waiver is asserted or claimed against the Lender which affirms Lenders dominion and right to foreclose, deal-in or transact in the Collateral. Borrower agrees and acknowledges that Lender reserves the right to, in Lenders sole discretion, to unilaterally alter and modify the terms and conditions of this Agreement to reflect any changes in laws, policies, rules or regulations of any stock exchange or Custodian Broker, errors in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, due diligence or any material discoveries to Collateral or Issuer, which in Lenders sole opinion may violate law or regulations or undermine Lenders Collateral or expose Lender to unnecessary risk, including as a result of Material Event or Market Impact, and up to the moiety or more of the Collateral may be unfunded against and all claims against the Lender are hereby discharged and held for naught. The Lender shall not be obligated to exhaust its recourse against the Collateral or any person or against any other security it may hold in respect to Obligations of Borrower, before realizing upon or otherwise dealing with the Collateral in such manner as Lender may consider necessary or benefiting in its own right. Partial payments or payments accepted after their due date shall not invalidate, waive or diminish Lenders rights afforded herein.

 

15.32 Waiver of Redemption Rights. This is a Stock Loan and Borrower expressly waives the benefit of all laws now existing or hereafter enacted providing for redemption of a right or redemption from any sale of Collateral made under this Loan as a result of incurable Event of Default and Borrower hereby releases all rights of redemption to which Borrower would otherwise be entitled, when the Collateral is forfeited and disposed of as a result of an incurable Event of Default.

 

Page 20 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

OTHER IMPORTAĀT DISCLOSURES

 

BY AGREEING TO AND ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT BORROWER AGREES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE, SHE, OR IT HAS READ AND FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES DESCRIBING RISKS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOAN, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: POTENTIAL LACK OF REGULATORY PROTECTION; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH TYPE OF COLLATERAL IF MORE THAN ONE APPLIES; LENDER’S RIGHT TO LIQUIDATE THE COLLATERAL IN CASE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT; INABILITY OR REFUSAL TO POST MARGIN WHEN REQUIRED, AND FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING RECEIVED FROM LENDER OR LOAN AMOUNT PAID TO BORROWER IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLATERAL. AT ALL TIMES THE LENDER WILL HAVE DOMINION OVER THE TRANSFERRED COLLATERAL INCLUDING FULL LIEN AND ENCUMBRANCE RIGHTS OVER THE TITLE. FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, ALL ASSOCIATED RIGHTS AND TITLES REMAIN WITH THE BORROWER UNTIL AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. MARKET CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE COLLATERAL TO DECLINE AND LENDER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS DEGRADATION. FUNDING AT ALL TIMES IS BASED ON MARKET CONDITIONS AND MATERIAL CHANGES MAY CAUSE UNDERWRITING TO CHANGE, FUNDING TO BE PROPORTIONATE TO RISK OR SUSPENDED. BORROWER WILL NOT USE LOAN PROCEEDS FOR ANY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

 

BORROWER UNDERSTANDS THAT MARKET CONDITIONS OR FORCE MAJEURE MAY CAUSE LENDER TO ADVANCE THE LOAN IN DISBURSEMENTS OR POSTPONE FUNDING, THE COLLATERAL TO REMAIN WITH THE LENDER. A DEFAULT OF THIS HYBRID LOAN WILL CAUSE FORFEITURE OF THE COLLATERAL. A DEFAULT WILL CANCEL LENDERS OBLIGATIONS TO BORROWER. BORROWER CONCEDES TO LENDERS RIGHT TO TRANSACT IN THE COLLATERAL. LENDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUNDING DUE TO VOLATILITY OF THE COLLATERAL AND ALL FUNDING IS AT LENDERS SOLE DISCRETION UNTIL DISBURSEMENT.

 

BY AGREEING TO AND ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT BORROWER AFFIRMS THAT HE, SHE, OR IT HAS DETERMINED THAT ACCEPTING THE LOAN AND PARTICIPATING IN THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN ARE APPROPRIATE FOR BORROWER AND THAT IN MAKING SUCH DETERMINATION BORROWER HAS CONSIDERED BORROWER’S FINANCIAL SITUATION AND NEEDS, TAX STATUS, INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, INVESTMENT TIME HORIZON, LIQUIDITY NEEDS, RISK TOLERANCE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION. BORROWER UNDERSTANDS THAT LENDER HAS MADE NO DETERMINATION AS TO THE SUITABILITY OF THE LOAN OR THIS INVESTMENT FOR BORROWER. DURING THE LOAN TERM, UNTIL OBLIGATIONS OF BORROWER ARE SATISFIED, ALL BENEFITS, PROCEEDS AND PROFITS OF THE COLLATERAL INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF LENDER. FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, ALL ASSOCIATED RIGHTS AND TITLES REMAIN WITH THE BORROWER UNTIL AND EVENT OF DEFAULT. NO NOTICE OF ANY TYPE IS DUE TO BORROWER OTHER THAN THE NOTICES PROVIDED FOR HEREIN. DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE LOAN, BORROWER IS NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE OR RETAIN ANY BENEFITS OR RIGHTS NOT SPECIFICALLY STATED OR CONTEMPLATED HEREIN. AT ALL TIMES FUNDING IS AT THE DISCRETION OF LENDER AND COMMENSURATE TO MARKET RISKS AND COLLATERAL FUNDAMENTALS. A MATERIAL EVENT MAY ACCELERATE EVENT OF DEFAULT WITHOUT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CURE AND PROVIDE FOR UNTIMELY DISPOSITION OF COLLATERAL.

 

Page 21 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date and have agreed to proceed in accordance with all the conditions, covenants, warranties, assurances and provisions herein stated.

 

Millennia Capital Partners Limited  
   
Signed: /s/ Benjamin Loo  
Name: Benjamin Loo  
Title: Director  
   
Crown LNG Holdings  
   
Signed: /s/ Joern Husemoen  
Name: Joern Skule Husemoen  
Title: Authorized Signatory - Director  

 

Page 22 Initials: /s/ Joern Husemoen   /s/ Benjamin Loo
    Borrower   Lender

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-4.10 7 ea020814101ex4-10_crown.htm SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JUNE 4, 2024, BY AND AMONG CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED AND EACH INVESTOR IDENTIFIED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES THERETO

Exhibit 4.10

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (as amended, supplemented, restated and/or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 4, 2024, by and between Crown LNG Holdings Limited., a private limited company organized under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Company”), and each investor identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A. The board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Company has authorized the issuance to each of the Investors of certain Notes (as defined below) and Warrants (as defined below).

 

B Each Investor desires to purchase certain Notes and Warrants on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Investor hereby agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings specified or indicated below, and such meanings shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of such defined terms:

 

“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.

 

“Aggregate Outstanding Amount” means the sum of (a) the outstanding Aggregate Principal Amount plus (b) the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts owing to all Investors under the Notes as of the applicable measurement date.

 

“Aggregate Principal Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1. “Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Board of Directors” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Business Combination Date” means the date upon which the merger transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City.

 

 


 

“Change of Control” means, with respect to the Company:

 

(a) other than a shareholder that holds such a position at the date of this Agreement, if a Person comes to have beneficial ownership, control or direction over more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company; or

 

(b) the sale or other disposition in a single transaction, or in a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to any Person.

 

“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Closing Equity Conditions” means, during the period in question, (a) there is a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Ordinary Shares for the issuance of all of the shares then issuable pursuant to the Transaction Documents, (b) there has been no Event of Default and no existing event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, would constitute an Event of Default, and (c) the Ordinary Shares shall be DWAC Eligible.

 

“Code” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

"Commitment Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.18.

 

“Commitment Shares” means 1,500,000 Ordinary Shares issuable to the Lead Investor as of the date hereof as of the Initial Closing Date. The Commitment Shares shall be deemed earned upon the date they are due to be issued.

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Company Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association” means the Articles of Association and the memorandum of association governing the Company.

 

“Conversion Shares” means the Ordinary Shares issuable upon the full or any partial conversion of a Note.

 

“Dollar Volume” means the product of (i) the closing sales price of the Ordinary Shares on a Trading Day preceding the applicable date of determination multiplied by (ii) the trading volume of the Ordinary Shares on such date of determination as reported by the Trading Market.

 

“DWAC Eligible” means that (a) the Ordinary Shares are eligible at the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for full services pursuant to DTC’s Operational Arrangements, including, without limitation, transfer through DTC’s Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) service, (b) the Transfer Agent is approved as an agent in DTC’s Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, (c) the Conversion Shares are otherwise eligible for delivery to the third-party purchaser in the resale thereof by the Investor via DWAC, and (d) the Transfer Agent does not have a policy prohibiting or limiting delivery of the Conversion Shares via DWAC.

 

2


 

“Effectiveness Date” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Equity Interests” means and includes the Ordinary Shares and any Ordinary Share Equivalents.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

“Exempted Securities” means (a) equity securities issued by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on Ordinary Shares, (b) Ordinary Shares or rights, warrants or options to purchase Ordinary Shares issued to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement approved by the Board of Directors (“Equity Plans”), (c) Ordinary Shares or rights, warrants or options to purchase Ordinary Shares issued to a seller of stock or assets to the Company or any of its subsidiaries as acquisition consideration pursuant to the acquisition of another corporation by the Company by merger, purchase of substantially all of the assets or other reorganization or to a joint venture agreement, (d) Ordinary Shares or rights, warrants or options to purchase Ordinary Shares issued to banks, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction resulting in aggregate proceeds, in a single or multiple transactions, not to exceed $5,000,000.00, or (e) securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities or Exempted Securities issued hereunder and/or rights or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement as disclosed on Schedule 1 hereto, provided that such rights and securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities or to extend the term of such securities.

 

“Funding Amount” shall mean, in respect of any Investor, the amount identified as such on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor, but not to exceed an aggregate amount of Twenty Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($20,650,000.00).

 

“Investor” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Investor Group” shall mean, in respect of each Investor, such Investor plus any other Person with which such Investor is considered to be part of a group under Section 13 of the 1934 Act or with which the Investor otherwise files reports under Sections 13 and/or 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

“Investor Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13.

 

“Investor Shares” means the Conversion Shares, the Commitment Shares and the Warrant Shares, and any other shares issued or issuable to the Investors pursuant to this Agreement or the Notes or the Warrants.

 

“IP Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9.

 

“Law” means any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree, including, without limitation, any federal and state securities laws.

 

“Lead Investor” means Helena Special Opportunities LLC.

 

3


 

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.13.

 

“Market Capitalization” means, as of any date of determination, the product of (a) the number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares as of such date (exclusive of any Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants or conversion of any convertible securities), multiplied by (b) the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the Trading Market on the date of determination.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on (i) the businesses, properties, assets, operations, results of operations or financial condition of the Company, or the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or, (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform its obligations hereunder or under the Notes; provided, however, that none of the following shall be deemed either alone or in combination to constitute, and none of the following shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been or would be, a Material Adverse Effect: (a) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of general economic conditions; (b) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of general conditions in the industries in which the Company and the Subsidiaries operate; (c) any adverse effect resulting from any changes to applicable Law; or (d) any adverse effect resulting from or arising out of any natural disaster or any acts of terrorism, sabotage, military action or war or any escalation or worsening thereof; provided, further, that any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change referred to in clauses (a) through (d) immediately above shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or could reasonably be expected to occur to the extent that such event, occurrence, fact, condition or change has a disproportionate effect on the Company and/or the Subsidiaries compared to other participants in the industries in which the Company and the Subsidiaries operate.

 

“Maximum Percentage” means 4.99%; provided, that if at any time after the date hereof an Investor Group beneficially owns in excess of 4.99% of any class of Equity Interests in the Company that is registered under the 1934 Act (excluding any Equity Interests deemed beneficially owned by virtue of a Note), then the Maximum Percentage shall automatically increase to 9.99% so long as the Investor Group owns in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests (and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, automatically decrease to 4.99% upon the Investor Group ceasing to own in excess of 4.99% of such class of Equity Interests).

 

“Merger Agreement” means that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated August 3, 2023 and as amended on October 2, 2023 and as further amended on January 31, 2024, as may be amended from time to time, by and among the entities known as of such date as Catcha Investment Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company, the Company, CGT Merge II Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company and Crown LNG Holdings AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway.

 

“Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.25.

 

“New Securities” means, collectively, equity or debt securities of the Company, whether or not currently authorized, as well as rights, options, or warrants to purchase such equity or debt securities, or securities of any type whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity or debt securities.

 

4


 

“Note” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“OFAC” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.22.

 

“Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Company.

 

“Ordinary Share Equivalent” means any convertible security or warrant, option or other right to subscribe for or purchase any Ordinary Share or any convertible security convertible into Ordinary Shares.

 

“Offer Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

 

“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Principal Amount” means the principal amount of the Note(s) as of the applicable date of determination.

 

“Proceedings” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(c).

 

“Prohibited Transaction” means a transaction with a third party or third parties in which the Company issues or sells (or arranges or agrees to issue or sell) any debt, equity or equity-linked securities (including options or warrants) that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive Ordinary Shares at a conversion, repayment, exercise or exchange rate or other price that:

 

(a) varies over time based upon a discount to the future trading prices of, or quotations for, Ordinary Shares; or

 

(b) is subject to being reset (i) if such securities are issued to an investor not in the business of investing in transactions similar to those contemplated by the Transaction Documents, on more than three (3) instances in connection with anti-dilution provisions or other similar price protection provisions, or (ii) if such securities are issued to an investor in the business of investing in transactions similar to those contemplated by the Transaction Documents, after the initial issuance of such debt, equity or equity-linked security in connection with anti-dilution provisions or other similar price protection provisions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, rights issuances, shareholder purchase plans, or Equity Plans shall not be deemed to be a Prohibited Transaction.

 

“Reference Dollar Volume” means two and one half times the median of the Dollar Volume over the thirty (30) Trading Days preceding the applicable date of determination.

 

“Registration Condition” means (i) in respect of the Initial Tranche, that the Commitment Shares may be resold pursuant to an effective registration statement or pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, and (ii) in respect of each Subsequent Tranche, the Investor Shares issuable in respect of the Notes and Warrant to be issued in the applicable Closing of such Subsequent Tranche may be resold pursuant to an effective registration statement pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, in each case without a restrictive legend being affixed on the Securities received by the counterparty to such resale.

 

5


 

“Registration Rights Agreement” means a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form of Exhibit C hereto, among the Company and the Investors.

 

“Required Minimum” means, as of any date, two (2) times the maximum aggregate number of Ordinary Shares then issued or potentially issuable in the future pursuant to the Transaction Documents, including any Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion in full of the Notes and Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise in full of the Warrants, ignoring any conversion or exercise limits set forth therein based, as of the date if initial Closing, on a conversion price of $0.50 and an exercise price of $10.00, respectively.

 

“Requisite Holder” means the Lead Investor or any successor in interest to the Lead Investor that is mutually agreed to by the Lead Investor and the Company. For the purposes of clarity hereunder, only one entity shall serve as the Requisite Holder at any time hereunder and the affirmative action or consent by the Requisite Holder shall bind all Investors hereunder.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.

 

“Securities” means the Notes, the Warrants, the Commitment Shares and the Investor Shares.

 

“Securities Termination Event” means either of the following has occurred:

 

(a) trading in securities generally in the United States has been suspended or limited for a consecutive period of greater than three (3) Business Days; or

 

(b) a banking moratorium has been declared by the United States or the New York State authorities and is continuing for a consecutive period of greater than three (3) Business Days.

 

“Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the holders of the requisite number of the outstanding Ordinary Shares to ratify and approve all of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including the issuance of all of the Investor Shares (as such term is defined in each of such documents) issued and potentially issuable to the Investor thereunder, all as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or any successor entity).

 

“Subsidiaries” and “Subsidiary” have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a).

 

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means a guarantee, in the form of Exhibit E hereto issued by the Subsidiaries, of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement and the Notes.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the Ordinary Shares are traded on a Trading Market.

 

6


 

“Trading Market” means whichever of the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE American, or the Nasdaq Stock Market (including the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market), on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted for trading on the date in question.

 

“Tranche” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Transfer Agent Instruction Letter, and any other documents or agreements executed or delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

“Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company having its offices at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004-1571.

 

“Transfer Agent Instruction Letter” means a letter of irrevocable instructions addressed by the Company to the Transfer Agent, acceptable to the Investor in its sole discretion.

 

“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Ordinary Shares are traded on OTCQB or OTCQX , the volume weighted average sales price of the Ordinary Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Ordinary Shares are not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Ordinary Shares are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by OTC Markets Group, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per Ordinary Share so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of an Ordinary Share as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Lead Investor and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

“Warrant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

“Warrant Shares” means the Ordinary Shares issuable upon the full or any partial exercise of a Warrant.

 

“Warrant Share Amount” means in respect of any Warrant issued in a Closing the initial amount of Ordinary Shares for which such Warrant may be exercised and which shall be equal to the applicable Principal Amount of the Note issued to the applicable Investor in such Closing multiplied by Fifty Percent (50%) and divided by the $10.00.

 

7


 

2. PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE NOTES.

 

2.1 Purchase and Sale of the Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company shall issue and sell to each Investor, and each Investor shall purchase from the Company, convertible promissory notes, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Note” and together, the “Notes”), in an amount up to the principal amount set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor and ordinary share purchase warrants, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, a “Warrant” and together, the “Warrants”). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the sale and purchase of Notes and Warrants shall be conducted in tranches (each, a “Tranche” and together, the “Tranches”) consisting of (x) an initial tranche (the “Initial Tranche”) of (i) an aggregate Principal Amount of Notes of Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($2,950,000.00) and including an original issue discount of Four Hundred Forty-Two Thousand Five Hundred and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($442,500.00), to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Notes issued in connection with such Tranche and (ii) Warrants to purchase a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranche, (y) a second tranche (the “Second Tranche”) (i) an aggregate Principal Amount of Notes of Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($2,950,000.00) and including an original issue discount of Four Hundred Forty-Two Thousand Five Hundred and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($442,500.00), to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Notes issued in connection with such Tranche and (ii) Warrants to purchase a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranche, and (z) up to five subsequent Tranches of (i) an aggregate Principal Amount of Notes of up to Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($2,950,000.00) each and including an original issue discount of up to Four Hundred Forty-Two Thousand Five Hundred and Zero/100 United States Dollars ($442,500.00) each, to cover the Investors’ accounting fees, due diligence fees, monitoring, and/or other transactional costs incurred in connection with the purchase and sale of the Notes issued in connection with each such Tranches and (ii) Warrants to purchase a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranches. The purchase price of a Note and its accompanying Warrant shall be computed by subtracting the portion of the OID represented by that such Note from the portion of the Principal Amount represented by such Note (a “Purchase Price”). For purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the aggregate Principal Amounts of all the Notes, shall be referred to together as, the “Aggregate Principal Amount; the aggregate original issue discounts of the Notes shall be referred to together as, the “OID; and the aggregate Funding Amounts of all of the Notes, shall be referred to together as, the “Aggregate Funding Amount”.

 

2.2 Closings. Each sale of Notes and Warrants in a Tranche shall occur in one or more closing (each, a “Closing”) with the date upon which such Closing shall occur being referred to as, a “Closing Date”, and more specifically as follows:

 

(a) Initial Tranche. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Closing of the Initial Tranche shall occur on the Business Combination Date provided that the Registration Condition shall have been met in respect of the Commitment Shares.

 

(b) The Second Tranche. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and provided that no event having a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred prior thereto, the Closing of the Second Tranche shall occur on such date as the Company may request in writing to the Lead Investor upon no less than five (5) Business Days’ notice; provided that the Closing Date of such Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 (ninety) days following the Closing Date of the Initial Tranche (or if such date is not a Trading Date, the next succeeding Trading Day) and (ii) such date as the Registration Condition shall have been met for the Investor Shares issuable in respect of the Notes and Warrants issuable in such Tranche.

 

8


 

(c) Third and Fourth Tranches. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and provided that no event having a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred prior thereto, the Closing of the third Tranche and fourth Tranche shall occur on such date as the Company may request in writing to the Lead Investor upon no less than five (5) Business Days’ notice, provided that;

 

(i) the Closing of each such Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($50,000.00) and (ii) the lesser of (x) Reference Dollar Volume on the Trading Day preceding the Closing Date for such Tranche, and (y) Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($2,950,000.00); and

 

(ii) the Closing Date of such Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 (ninety) days following the Closing Date of the previous Tranche (or if such date is not a Trading Date, the next succeeding Trading Day) and (ii) such date as the Company and the Lead Investor shall mutually agree.

 

(d) Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Tranches. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and the Closing of the second Tranche, third Tranche and fourth Tranche, the Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall occur on such date as the Company and the Lead Investor shall mutually agree, if at all; provided that the Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($50,000.00) and (ii) the lesser of (x) Reference Dollar Volume on the Trading Day preceding the Closing Date for such Tranche, and (y) Two Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand and zero/100 Dollars ($2,950,000.00).

 

(e) Generally, in Respect of Closings. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Closing, including payment for and delivery of the Notes and Warrants in respect of such Closing, shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures.

 

2.3 Priority of Obligation. As an inducement for the Investor to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the Note, all obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Notes shall be senior in payment to any subsequent Indebtedness (as defined in the Notes).

 

2.4 Pro Rata Payments. The Company and each Investor hereby agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Notes, to the extent the Company is obligated to make any payments hereunder or under the Notes to the Investors (or offers to make any prepayments hereunder or thereunder), all such payments shall be applied to outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by all Investors on a pro rata basis based on the Aggregate Outstanding Amount at the time of such prepayment. If any Investor shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of outstanding amounts under the Notes resulting in such Investor receiving payment of a proportion of the Aggregate Outstanding Amount at the time of such prepayment greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Investor receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the other Investors of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the principal amount owing to the other Investors under the applicable Notes, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Investors ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Notes and other amounts owing them. The Company consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Investor acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangement may exercise against the Company rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Investor were a direct creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.

 

9


 

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to each Investor and covenants with each Investor that, the following representations and warranties are true and correct that as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date:

 

3.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is a company duly incorporated and validly existing in good standing under the Laws of Jersey, Channel Islands, and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.2 Authorization; Enforcement; Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company and each Subsidiary has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute the Transaction Documents, and if applicable, to issue and sell the Notes and Warrants pursuant hereto, and to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including issuing the Investor Shares and Commitment Shares on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company and each Subsidiary and the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company pursuant hereto have been duly and validly authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors and each Subsidiary’s board of directors, shareholder(s), or member(s), as applicable and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company, any Subsdiaries, the Company's Board of Directors, their respective shareholders or members or any other Person in connection therewith, assuming the accuracy of each Investor’s representations in Section 4, and except such as have been waived and other than such filings as are required to be made under applicable Laws. The Transaction Documents have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary to which they are a party and constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and each Subsidiary, enforceable against the Company and each Subsidiary in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar Laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

10


 

3.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and each Subsidiary and the issuance and sale of the Notes and Warrants hereunder and issuance of the Commitment Shares by the Company will not (a) conflict with or result in a violation of the Company Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, (b) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement to which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, or (c) violate in any material respect any Law or any rule or regulation of the Trading Market applicable to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or by which any of their properties or assets are bound or affected. Assuming the accuracy of each Investor’s representations in Section 4 and subject to the making of the filings referred to in Section 6 and receipt of the Shareholder Approval, (i) no approval or authorization will be required from any governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency or other third party (including the Trading Market) in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the issuance of the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Notes), (ii) the issuance of (x) the Notes, and the issuance of the Conversion Shares upon the conversion of the Notes, (y) the Warrants, and the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the Warrants, and (z) the Commitment Shares, will be exempt from the registration and qualification requirements under the 1933 Act and all applicable state securities Laws.

 

3.4 Capitalization and Subsidiaries.

 

(a) As of the Business Combination Date, the Company expects that 70,069,882 Ordinary Shares will be issued and outstanding minus up to 1,364,882 Ordinary Shares, the holders of which may exercise redemption rights in connection with the Business Combination. The Conversion Shares, when issued upon conversion of a Note in accordance with its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. The Warrant Shares, when issued upon exercise of a Warrant in accordance with its terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. The Commitment Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. Other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(a), no Ordinary Shares are subject to preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or permitted by the Company. The Company Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association on file with the SEC are true and correct copies of the Company Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association as in effect as of the date hereof. The Company is not in violation of any provision of the Company Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association nor is any Subsidiary in violation of its organization documents.

 

11


 

(b) Schedule 3.4(b) lists each direct and indirect subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) and indicates for each Subsidiary (i) the authorized capital stock or other Equity Interest of such Subsidiary as of the date hereof and the expected amount as of the date of the Business Combination Date, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other ownership interests of such Subsidiary that are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof and the expected amount as of the date of the Business Combination Date, and (iii) the owner of such shares or other ownership interests as of the date hereof and as of the Business Combination Date. No Subsidiary has any outstanding stock options, warrants or other instruments pursuant to which such Subsidiary may at any time or under any circumstances be obligated to issue any shares of its capital stock or other Equity Interests other than as described in the Merger Agreement. Each Subsidiary is duly organized and validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, except to the extent that the failure to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and has all requisite power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

(c) Other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(c) or as described in the Merger Agreement, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is bound by any agreement or arrangement pursuant to which it is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the 1933 Act. Other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(c) or as set forth in the Merger Agreement, there are no outstanding securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem or purchase any security of the Company or any Subsidiary. Other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(c), after the Business Combination Date there will be no outstanding securities or instruments containing anti- dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Notes, the Warrants, the Commitment Shares or the Investor Shares. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.

 

(d) The issuance and sale of any of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue Ordinary Shares or other securities to any Person other than the Investors and, other than as provided in Schedule 3.4(d), will not result in the adjustment of the exercise, conversion, exchange, or reset price of any outstanding securities.

 

3.5 SEC Documents; Financial Statements.

 

(a) As of the date hereof and each Closing Date and except as set forth on Schedule 3.5(a), the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act since October 2, 2023 (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof, as they have been amended since the time of their filing, and all exhibits included therein and documents incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). As of their respective filing dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

12


 

(b) As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) consistently applied, and audited by a firm that is a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, during the periods involved (except as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, except in the case of pro forma statements or, in the case of unaudited interim statements, except to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

 

(c) Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) reasonable controls to safeguard assets are in place and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

3.6 Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.6, there are no actions, causes of action, suits, claims, proceedings, inquiries or investigations (collectively, “Proceedings”) before or by any court, public board, government agency, self- regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the executive officers of Company or any of the Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Ordinary Shares or any other class of issued and outstanding shares of the Company, or any of the Company’s or the Subsidiaries’ officers or directors in their capacities as such, which adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) would, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company, there is no reason to believe that there is any basis for any such Proceeding.

 

3.7 No Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.7, no event, development or circumstance has occurred or exists, or to the knowledge of the executive officers of the Company is reasonably anticipated to occur or exist that (a) would reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities Laws and which has not been publicly announced.

 

3.8 Compliance with Law. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries have conducted and are conducting their respective businesses in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and are in compliance in all material respects with the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8 Documents, the Company is not aware of any facts which could reasonably be anticipated to lead to a delisting of the Ordinary Shares by the Trading Market in the future.

 

13


 

3.9 Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is involved in any union labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any such dispute threatened. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement. No executive officer (as defined in Rule 501(f) of the 1933 Act) has notified the Company that such officer intends to leave the Company’s employ or otherwise terminate such officer’s employment with the Company.

 

3.10 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each Subsidiary owns or possesses or can acquire on reasonable terms adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) used in or reasonably necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. None of the material IP Rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries are expected to expire or terminate within three (3) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice alleging that it is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any IP Rights of any other Person. No written notice of a claim has been received by, and no Proceeding is pending against, the Company or any Subsidiary alleging that the Company or any Subsidiary is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the IP Rights of any other Person, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such claim or Proceeding is threatened, and the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances which might give rise to any such claim or Proceeding. The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their material IP Rights.

 

3.11 Environmental Laws. Except, in each case, as would not be reasonably anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Subsidiaries (a) are in compliance with any and all applicable Laws relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, (b) have received and hold all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under all such Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (c) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval.

 

3.12 Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property (other than IP Rights, which is addressed in Section 3.10) owned by them which is material to their respective businesses, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except those set forth on Schedule 3.12. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company or any Subsidiary are held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

3.13 Insurance. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company reasonably believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for, and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew all existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers.

 

14


 

3.14 Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries have in full force and effect all certificates, approvals, authorizations and permits from all regulatory authorities and agencies necessary to own, lease or operate their respective properties and assets and conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of Proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, approval, authorization or permit, except for such certificates, approvals, authorizations or permits with respect to which the failure to hold would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.15 No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is (a) subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree or order which in the judgment of the Company’s officers has or would reasonably be expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) a party to any contract or agreement which in the judgment of the Company’s management has or would reasonably be anticipated to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.16 Taxes. Other than as provided on Schedule 3.16, the Company and the Subsidiaries each has made or filed, or caused to be made or filed, all United States federal, and applicable state, local and non-U.S. tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, required to be paid by it, regardless of whether such amounts are shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which it has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no basis for any such claim.

 

3.17 Solvency. After giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (a) the Company’s book value of its assets exceeds the Company’s book value of existing debts and other liabilities (ignoring any potential contingent liabilities) as they mature; and (b) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets at book value, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its debt at book value when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). Except as disclosed as set forth in Schedule 3.17, the Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction.

 

3.18 Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

3.19 Certain Transactions. Other than as disclosed in Schedule 3.19, there are no contracts, transactions, arrangements or understandings between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any director, officer or employee thereof on the other hand, that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC in the Company’s Form 20-F or proxy statement pertaining to an annual meeting of shareholders.

 

15


 

3.20 No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.21 Acknowledgment Regarding the Investors’ Purchase of the Notes. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved the execution of the Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of the Notes and Warrants, based on its own independent evaluation and determination that the terms of the Transaction Documents are reasonable and fair to the Company and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Company is entering into this Agreement and is issuing and selling the Notes and Warrants voluntarily. The Company has had independent legal counsel of its own choosing review the Transaction Documents and advise the Company with respect thereto. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to its Notes and Warrants and the transactions contemplated hereby and that neither such Investor nor any person affiliated with such Investor is acting as a financial advisor to, or a fiduciary of, the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to execution of the Transaction Documents or the issuance of the Notes and Warrants or any other transaction contemplated hereby.

 

3.22 No Brokers’, Finders’ or Other Advisory Fees or Commissions. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22 and except for certain fees which may be payable to Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B Financial Group, LLC, as placement agent to the Company, no brokers, finders or other similar advisory fees or commissions will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary or by any of their respective agents with respect to the issuance of the Notes or the Warrants or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.23 OFAC. None of the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries nor, to the best knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company and/or any Subsidiary has been or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use any proceeds received from the Investor, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to its Subsidiaries or to any affiliated entity, joint venture partner or other person or entity, to finance any investments in, or make any payments to, any country or person currently subject to any of the sanctions of the United States administered by OFAC.

 

3.24 No Foreign Corrupt Practices. None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly: (a) made or authorized any contribution, payment or gift of funds or property to any official, employee or agent of any governmental authority of any jurisdiction except as otherwise permitted under applicable Law; or (b) made any contribution to any candidate for public office, in either case, where either the payment or the purpose of such contribution, payment or gift was, is, or would be prohibited under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or under any other legislation of any relevant jurisdiction covering a similar subject matter applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries and their respective operations and the Company has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with such legislation.

 

16


 

3.25 Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of each of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws, regulations, rules and guidelines in its jurisdiction of association and in each other jurisdiction in which such entity, as the case may be, conducts business (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental authority involving the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to any of the Money Laundering Laws is, to the best knowledge of the Company, pending, threatened or contemplated.

 

3.26 Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it, nor to its knowledge, any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investor or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material, non-public information. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representations and covenants in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All disclosures provided to the Investor regarding the Company, its business and the transactions contemplated hereby, furnished by or on behalf of the Company (including the Company’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement) are true and correct in all material respects and do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

3.27 Available Ordinary Shares. As of Business Combination Date, the Company has capacity under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market to issue up to at least 13,734,130 Ordinary Shares (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Ordinary Shares) without obtaining Shareholder Approval; provided, however, that Shareholder Approval shall not be required to the extent that the Company relies upon “home country” exceptions from the corporate governance requirements of the Trading Market if Shareholder Approval is not required under the laws of Jersey and as a result of such reliance the Trading Market does not impose an issuance cap on the number of Ordinary Shares which may be issued under the Transaction Documents.

 

3.28 Indebtedness. Except for as listed on Schedule 3.28, as of the Business Combination Date the Company or any Subsidiary has no outstanding Indebtedness. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $100,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $100,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with IFRS. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.28, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.

 

17


 

3.29 No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in other Transaction Documents, the Company makes no other representations or warranties to the Investors.

 

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH INVESTOR. Each Investor represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

4.1 Organization and Qualification. Such Investor is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its association or formation.

 

4.2 Authorization; Enforcement; Compliance with Other Instruments. Such Investor has the requisite power and authority to enter into the Transaction Documents and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by such Investor of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly and validly authorized by such Investor’s governing body, as necessary, and no further consent or authorization is required. The Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Investor and constitute valid and binding obligations of such Investor, enforceable against such Investor in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar Laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies.

 

4.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party by such Investor and the purchase of a Note by such Investor will not (a) conflict with or result in a violation of such Investor’s organizational documents, if applicable, (b) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, contract, indenture mortgage, indebtedness or instrument to which such Investor is a party, or (c) violate any Law applicable to such Investor or by which any of such Investor’s properties or assets are bound or affected. No approval or authorization will be required from any governmental authority or agency, regulatory or self-regulatory agency or other third party in connection with the purchase of a Note and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

4.4 Investment Intent; Accredited Investor. Each Investor is purchasing its Note and Warrant for its own account, for investment purposes, and not with a view towards distribution. Such Investor is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act. Such Investor has, by reason of its business and financial experience, such knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial and business matters and in making investment decisions of this type that it is capable of (a) evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in its Notes, Warrants and the Investor Shares and making an informed investment decision, (b) protecting its own interests and (c) bearing the economic risk of such investment for an indefinite period of time. Such Investor is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring its Notes, Warrants and the Investor Shares.

 

18


 

4.5 Acknowledgement of Risk; Opportunity to Discuss. Each Investor acknowledges that an investment in the Company is speculative and subject to numerous risks, including those risks described in the SEC Documents. Each Investor has reviewed and understands the risks related to the Company and its business as described in the SEC Documents. Each Investor has received all materials relating to the business, finance and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as it has requested and has had an opportunity to discuss the business, management and financial affairs of the Company and the Subsidiaries with the Company’s management. In making its investment decision, such Investor has relied solely on its own due diligence performed on the Company by its own representatives.

 

4.6 Restricted Securities. Each Investor understands that its Notes, Warrants and the Investor Shares are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the 1933 Act and that its Note and the Investor Shares may not been registered under the 1933 Act except as otherwise required under the Transaction Documents. The Investor understands that its Notes, Warrants and the Investor Shares may not be offered, resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Investor absent an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act, except (i) to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the 1933 Act or (iii) pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and, in each of cases (ii) and (iii), in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States, and that any book-entry position or certificates representing its Notes, Warrants or Investor Shares shall contain a notation or restrictive legend, as applicable, to such effect substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, and as a result of these transfer restrictions, the Investor may not be able to readily offer, resell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of its Notes, Warrants or Investor Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in its Notes, Warrants and Investor Shares for an indefinite period of time. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that (i) its Note, Warrants and Investor Shares will not be eligible for offer, resale, transfer, pledge or disposition pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144”) until the date that is at least one year from the date that the Company filed “Form 10 information” with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is no longer an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i)) and (ii) additional conditions to any such transaction may apply under Rule 144 and other applicable securities laws to the extent that the Investor is at such time, or has been at any time in the immediately preceding three months, an “affiliate” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144. The Investor understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of its Notes, Warrants or Investor Shares.

 

4.7 Exculpation Among Investors. Each Investor acknowledges that it is not relying upon any Person, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. Each Investor agrees that neither the Lead Investor, any Investor nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Investor shall be liable to any other Investor for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Notes.

 

4.8 No Other Representations. Except for the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and in other Transaction Documents, such Investor makes no other representations or warranties to the Company.

 

19


 

5. OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

5.1 Restrictions on Transfer. The Investor Shares, when issued, will be restricted and book-entry positions or certificates relating to the same shall bear a restrictive legend unless sold pursuant to an effective registration statement or available for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act.

 

5.2 Furnishing of Information. As long as an Investor owns Securities, the Company covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the 1934 Act. As long as an Investor owns Securities, if the Company is not required to file reports pursuant to the 1934 Act, it will prepare and furnish to such Investor and make publicly available in accordance with Rule 144(c) such information as is required for such Investor to sell the Investor Shares under Rule 144. The Company further covenants that it will take such further action as any holder of Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Person to sell such Investor Shares without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or other applicable exemptions.

 

5.3 Integration. The Company shall not, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no Affiliate of the Company shall, sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the 1933 Act) that will be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the 1933 Act of the sale of the Securities to the Investor.

 

5.4 Notification of Certain Events. The Company shall give prompt written notice to each Investor of (a) any notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or (b) any Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against a party relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

 

5.5 Available Shares. The Company shall at all times keep authorized and available for issuance, free of preemptive rights, the Required Minimum of Ordinary Shares. If the Company determines at any time that it does not have a sufficient number of authorized Ordinary Shares to keep available for issuance as described in this Section 5.4, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to increase the number of authorized Ordinary Shares by seeking approval from its shareholders for the authorization of such additional shares.

 

5.6 Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Notes to fund its general working capital and to make certain expenses as contemplated pursuant to the terms of Merger Agreement.

 

5.7 Repayment of Notes. If the Company issues any debt, including any subordinated debt or convertible debt (other than the Notes), then the Investors will have the option (exercisable in writing by the Requisite Holders) to cause the Company to immediately, utilize 15% of the aggregate proceeds of such issuance to repay the Notes on a pro rata basis based on the Aggregate Principal Amount and accrued, but unpaid, Interest (as defined in the Notes) outstanding on the date of funding of such debt. If the Company issues any Equity Interests for cash as part of a financing transaction (other than in connection with an “at the market” funding program), then the Investors will have the option (exercisable in writing by the Requisite Holders) to cause the Company to direct 15% of such proceeds from such issuance to repay the Notes on a pro rata basis based on the Aggregate Principal Amount outstanding on the date of closing of such issuance. The Company will notify the Investors no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the public announcement of any such debt or Equity Interest financing and provide the Investors (with the written approval of the Requisite Holders agree) to opportunity to exercise the option set forth in the preceding sentence; it being agreed, however, that, notwithstanding such notice to the Investors, the Company shall not be under an obligation to make a public announcement regarding such debt or Equity Interest financing until it is legally required to do so.

 

5.8 Reserved.

 

5.9 Reserved.

 

5.10 Prohibited Transactions; Limitation on At the Market Offerings. The Company hereby covenants and agrees not to enter into any Prohibited Transactions without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, until the one-year anniversary of the date of this Agreement. The Company hereby covenants and agrees without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders not to utilize any “at the market” offering program in respect of its Ordinary Shares, except as permitted hereunder, until such time as each Note has been repaid in full and/or converted into Conversion Shares.

 

20


 

5.11 ELOC, ATM or Similar Transactions. The Company hereby covenants and agrees not to enter into any equity line of credit transactions, at-the-market transaction or similar transaction without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders, until each Note have been repaid in full and/or has been converted into Conversion Shares.

 

5.12 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall, within one (1) Trading Day following the date hereof, file a Form 6-K report or other public disclosure disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and including this Agreement as an exhibit thereto; provided, that the Company may not issue such press release or file such Form 6- K or other public disclosure without the prior written consent (including by electronic mail) of the Requisite Holder, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company shall not issue any press release nor otherwise make any such public statement regarding the Investors or the Transaction Documents without the prior written consent (including by electronic mail) of the Requisite Holder, except (i) if such disclosure is required by Law, in which case the Company shall (a) ensure that such disclosure is restricted and limited in content and scope to the maximum extent permitted by Law to meet the relevant disclosure requirement and (b) provide a copy of the proposed disclosure to the Requisite Holders for review prior to release and the Company shall incorporate the reasonable comments of the Requisite Holder or (ii) to the extent such press release or public statement contains only information previously disclosed in a press release or public statement previously approved in accordance with the foregoing clause (i). Each Investor will promptly provide any information reasonably requested by the Company or any of its Affiliates for any regulatory application or filing made or to be made or approval sought in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including filings with the SEC). Following the execution of this Agreement, each Investor and its Affiliates and/or advisors may, upon receiving the prior written consent of the Requisite Holder, place announcements on their respective corporate websites and in financial and other newspapers and publications (including, without limitation, customary “tombstone” advertisements) describing such Investor’s relationship with the Company under this Agreement and including the name and corporate logo of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to comply with United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(3)(i), each of the Company and each Investor, and each employee, representative or other agent of the Company or such Investor, may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment, and the U.S. federal and state income tax structure, of the transactions contemplated hereby and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure insofar as such treatment and/or structure relates to a U.S. federal or state income tax strategy provided to such recipient.

 

5.13 Indemnification of the Investors.

 

(a) The Company will indemnify and hold each Investor, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, managers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents and permitted successors and assigns (each, an “Investor Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation and defense (collectively, “Losses”) that any such Investor Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to:

 

(i) any material breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company in any Transaction Document;

 

(ii) any material misrepresentation made by the Company in any Transaction Document or in any SEC Document;

 

(iii) any material omission to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made in any SEC Document, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(iv) any Proceeding before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body based upon, or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and whether or not such Investor is party thereto by claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, as a defendant or otherwise, or if such Proceeding is based upon, or results from, any of the items set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above;

 

except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such misrepresentation or omission is based upon information regarding such Investor furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein or the Investor has omitted a material fact from such information or otherwise violated the 1933 Act, 1934 Act or any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder.

 

21


 

(b) If any action shall be brought against any Investor Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Investor Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Investor Party. Any Investor Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Investor Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Investor Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Investor Party under this Agreement (i) for any settlement by an Investor Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (ii) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Investor Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Investor Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents.

 

(c) In addition to the indemnity contained herein, the Company will reimburse each Investor Party for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation, preparation and travel in connection therewith) incurred in connection therewith, as such expenses are incurred.

 

(d) The provisions of this Section 5.122 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

5.14 Non-Public Information. Except to the extent necessary to fulfill its notice, disclosure or similar obligations hereunder or under any Transaction Document, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide the Investors or their agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material, non-public information. Except in connection with the fulfillment of its notice, disclosure or similar obligations hereunder or under any Transaction Document, to the extent the Company provides an Investor with material, non-public information, the Company shall publicly disclose such information within forty-eight (48) hours of providing the information to such Investor, provided that if the last day of any such time period is not a Trading Day, such time period shall be extended to 9:30 a.m., New York City Time, on the next Trading Day following the day on which it would otherwise end. The Company understands and confirms that the Investors shall be relying on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. In the event that the Company fails to comply with its obligations under this Section 5.13, a liquidated damages charge of 1.5% of the outstanding principal balance of each Note will be assessed and will become immediately due and payable each month while such failure remains uncured to the Investors at their election in the form of a cash payment or added to the balance of the respective Note.

 

5.15 Share Transfer Agent. The Company’s share transfer agent is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. To the Company’s knowledge, such transfer agent participates in the Depository Trust Company Fast Automated Securities Transfer program. For so long as any Investor holds Investor Securities, the Company shall not change its share transfer agent without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holder.

 

5.16 Intended Tax Treatment. Each Investor and the Company agree that for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and applicable state, local and non-U.S. income tax purposes, the Notes are not intended to be treated as indebtedness. No Investor nor the Company shall take any position on any tax return, or in any audit, claim, investigation, inquiry or proceeding in respect of taxes inconsistent with such intentions, unless otherwise required pursuant to a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any analogous provision of applicable state, local or non-U.S. law. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Investor agrees to execute and deliver to the Company an IRS Form W-8 or W-9 (as applicable with respect to such Investor).

 

22


 

5.17 Set-Off.

 

(a) Each Investor may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4 hereof, set off any of its obligations to the Company (whether or not due for payment), against any of the Company’s obligations to such Investor (whether or not due for payment) under this Agreement and/or any other Transaction Document.

 

(b) Each Investor may do anything necessary to effect any set-off undertaken in accordance with this Section 5.16 (including varying the date for payment of any amount payable by the Investor to the Company).

 

(c) The Company may set off any of its obligations to an Investor (whether or not due for payment), against any of such Investor's obligations to the Company (whether or not due for payment) under this Agreement and/or any other Transaction Document.

 

(d) The Company may do anything necessary to effect any set-off undertaken in accordance with this Section 5.16 (including varying the date for payment of any amount payable by the Company to an Investor).

 

5.18 No Repricing. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holder, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding note, option, warrant, or other derivative security convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares to reduce the conversion, exercise or exchange price of any such security or (ii) grant a replacement note, option, warrant or other derivative security convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares for the purpose of reducing the conversion, exercise or exchange price of any such security being replaced; provided that this Section 5.17 shall not apply to amendments to or grants in respect of any option granted pursuant to an Equity Plan that is outstanding as of the date of this Agreement.

 

5.19 Commitment Shares and Commitment Fee. As consideration for entering into this Agreement, on the date of the initial Closing the Company shall pay to the Lead Investor a commitment fee of Two Hundred Fifty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Twenty Five and zero/100 Dollars ($258,125.00) and shall issue to the Lead Investor to the Commitment Shares, which will be deemed fully earned on such date as such fee is paid and such Commitment Shares are issued. In its sole discretion, in lieu of cash payment of the foregoing amount the Lead Investor may choose to accept a convertible promissory note or notes substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto having an initial principal amount equal to the amount of the commitment fee required to be paid pursuant to this Section 5.18.

 

23


 

6. CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

6.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of each Investor. The obligation of each Investor to fund its Note at each Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Investor, at or before such Closing, or, as specified below, only at or before the initial Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a) General Conditions Precedent.

 

(i) Required Documentation. Solely with respect to the initial Closing, the Company must have delivered to the Investor (i) a duly executed certificate of an officer of the Company and each Subsidiary party to the Subsidiary Guarantee, appending thereto (A) copies of duly executed resolutions or consents of the directors, members or manager, as applicable, of such party, approving and consenting to such party’s execution, performance of its obligations under the applicable Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, (B) a certificate of good standing or equivalent document dated no more than five days prior to the date hereof, in respect of such party, (C) true and correct copies of the organizational documents of such party, and (D) incumbency signatures of such party, and (ii) copies of each Transaction Document, duly executed by the Company, the applicable Subsidiaries or the Transfer Agent, as applicable;

 

(ii) Consents and Permits. The Company must have obtained and delivered to such Investor copies of all necessary permits, approvals, and registrations necessary to effect this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(iii) The Business Combination Closing. The Business Combination Date must be occurring on such Closing Date or have occurred, resulting in consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the listing for trading of the Ordinary Shares on the Trading Market and the “Minimum Cash” provision in Section 9.2(f) of the Merger Agreement requiring there to be a minimum amount of cash shall not have been amended to provide for an amount as of the Business Combination Date of less than

$5,000,000.

 

(iv) No Event(s) of Default. No Event of Default has occurred and no Event of Default would result from the execution of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(v) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of such Closing as though made on and as of such date; (vi) Performance.

 

24


 

The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to such Closing;

 

(vii) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents;

 

(viii) No Suspensions of Trading in the Ordinary Shares; Listing. Trading in the Ordinary Shares shall not have been suspended by the SEC or any Trading Market (except for any suspensions of trading of not more than one day on which the Trading Market is open solely to permit dissemination of material information regarding the Company) at any time since the date of execution of this Agreement, and the Ordinary Shares shall have been at all times since such date listed for trading on a Trading Market;

 

(ix) Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. The issuance of a Note or Warrant to such Investor shall not cause such Investor Group to become, directly or indirectly, a “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) of a number of Equity Interests of a class that is registered under the 1934 Act which exceeds the Maximum Percentage of the Equity Interests of such class that are outstanding at such time; and

 

(x) Funds Flow Request. The Company shall have delivered to the Lead Investor a flow of funds request, substantially in the form set out in Exhibit D.

 

(xi) Non-Public Information. The Company shall, on or before 9:30 a.m., New York City Time, on or prior to the first business day after the date of each Closing, release or file, as applicable, a press release or a Current Report on Form 6-K or other applicable public disclosure describing the terms of the Closing (the “Cleansing Release”). From and after the filing of the Cleansing Release, the Company shall have disclosed all material, non-public information (if any) provided up to such time to each Investor by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents. In addition, upon the filing of the Cleansing Release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise disclosed in the Cleansing Release, whether written or oral, between the Company, or any of its officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and any of the Investors or any of their affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate.

 

(xii) Opinions of Counsel. Solely with respect to the initial Closing, the Lead Investor shall have received opinions from United States and Jersey counsel to the Company and Subsidiaries in forms reasonably acceptable to the Lead Investor.

 

(xiii) Closing Equity Conditions. Each of the Closing Equity Conditions shall have been satisfied.

 

25


 

(xiv) Lock-Up Agreements. The directors, officers and major shareholders (3% or more of the outstanding authorized Ordinary Shares immediately following the Business Combination Date) of the Company shall have entered into a lock-up agreement, solely with respect to the Ordinary Shares, in a form reasonably acceptable to by the Lead Investor, that shall provide that for a period beginning on the Business Combination Date, such Persons shall not sell into the market pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to a then effective registration statement any Ordinary Shares.

 

(b) Specific Closing Conditions. The closing conditions set forth in Section 2.2 relating to the Tranche being funded on such Closing Date shall be met.

 

6.2 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to issue a Note to an Investor at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Company, at or before such Closing, of each of the following conditions:

 

(a) Required Documentation. Such Investor must have delivered to the Company copies of each Transaction Document to which the Investor is a party, duly executed by the Investor;

 

(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of such Investor contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of such Closing Date as though made on and as of such date;

 

(c) Performance. The Investors shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to such Closing; and

 

(d) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

7.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall be an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

 

(a) an Event of Default under a Note;

 

(b) any of the representations or warranties made by the Company or any of its agents, officers, directors, employees or representatives in any Transaction Document or public filing being inaccurate, false or misleading in any material respect, as of the date as of which it is made or deemed to be made, or any certificate or financial or other written statements furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Investor or any of its representatives, is inaccurate, false or misleading, in any material respect, as of the date as of which it is made or deemed to be made, or on any Closing Date; or

 

(c) a failure by the Company to comply with any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, including those set forth in Section 5 in all material respects.

 

26


 

7.2 Investor Right to Investigate an Event of Default. If in the reasonable opinion of the Requisite Holder, an Event of Default has occurred, or is or may be continuing:

 

(a) the Requisite Holder may notify the Company that it wishes to investigate such purported Event of Default;

 

(b) the Company shall cooperate with the Requisite Holder in such investigation;

 

(c) the Company shall comply with all reasonable requests made by the Requisite Holder to the Company in connection with any investigation by the Requisite Holder and shall (i) provide all information requested by the Requisite Holder in relation to the Event of Default to the Requisite Holder; provided that the Requisite Holder agrees that any materially price sensitive information and/or non-public information will be subject to confidentiality, and (ii) provide all such requested information within three (3) Business Days of such request.; and

 

(d) the Company shall pay all reasonable costs incurred by the Requisite Holder in connection with any such investigation.

 

7.3 Remedies Upon an Event of Default

 

(a) If an Event of Default occurs pursuant to Section 7.1(a), each Investor shall have such remedies as are set forth in their Note.

 

(b) If an Event of Default occurs pursuant to Section 7.1(b) or Section 7.1(c) and is not remedied following written notice provided by the Requisite Holder to the Company within (i) two (2) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring by the Company’s failure to comply with Section 7.1(c), or (ii) ten (10) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 7.1(b), the Requisite Holder may declare, by written notice to the Company, effective immediately, all outstanding obligations by the Company under the Transaction Documents to be immediately due and payable in immediately available funds and the Investors shall have no obligation to consummate any Closing under this Agreement or to accept the conversion of any Note into Conversion Shares.

 

(c) If any Event of Default occurs and is not remedied following written notice provided by the Requisite Holders to the Company within (i) two (2) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring by the Company’s failure to comply with Section 7.1(c), or (ii) ten (10) Business Days for an Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 7.1(b), the Requisite Holders may, by written notice to the Company, terminate this Agreement effective as of the date set forth in the Requisite Holder’s notice.

 

27


 

8. TERMINATION

 

8.1 Events of Termination. This Agreement:

 

(a) may be terminated:

 

(i) by the Requisite Holder on the occurrence or existence of a Securities Termination Event or a Change of Control;

 

(ii) by either the Company or the Requisite Holder, by written notice to the other party, effective immediately, if the applicable Closing has not occurred within thirty (30) Business Days of the date specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement or such later date as the Company and the Requisite Holder agree in writing, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(a)(iii) is not available to any party that is in material breach of or material default under this Agreement or whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the principal cause of, or has resulted in the failure of the applicable Closing to occur; or

 

(iii) by the Requisite Holder, in accordance with Section 7.3(c).

 

(b) will automatically terminate, without further action by the parties, on the date that is twenty-four (24) from the date of this Agreement.

 

8.2 Effect of Termination.

 

(a) Upon termination of this Agreement, no Investor will be required to fund any further amount after the date of termination of the Agreement, provided that termination will not affect any undischarged obligation under this Agreement, and any obligation of the Company to pay or repay any amounts owing to the Investor hereunder and which have not been repaid at the time of termination.

 

(b) Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to release any party from any liability for any breach by such party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to impair the right of any party to compel specific performance by any other Party of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

28


 

9. RESERVED

 

10. RIGHTS TO FUTURE STOCK ISSUANCES. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section and applicable securities laws, if at any time during the period ending 18 months after the Closing Date of the initial Closing, the Company proposes to offer or sell any New Securities, the Company shall offer to the Investors the opportunity to purchase up to ten percent (10%) of such New Securities (such amount, the “Offered Securities”). Such offer may only be accepted with the prior written approval of an Investor. If accepted by an Investor, it shall be afforded the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Portion (as defined below). The Investors shall be entitled to apportion the right of first offer hereby granted to them in such proportions as they deem appropriate among themselves and their Affiliates.

 

10.1 The Company shall give notice no fewer than three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed date of the sale of New Securities (the “Information Notice”) to the Requisite Holder and each Investor, requesting if such Requisite Holder and Investors would desire to receive further information regarding the proposed sale. In the event that any Investor does not affirmatively respond to the Information Notice within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, the Company may proceed with the sale; provided that obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10 shall not be in force and effective for a period with respect to any non-affirming Investor for a period of 45 days following the delivery of the Information Notice; provided, further that the obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10 shall automatically renew following the expiration of such period. If an Investor affirmatively responds to the Information Notice, such sale shall be subject to the obligations and rights set forth in this Section 10.

 

10.2 The Company shall give notice no fewer than two (2) Business Days following receipt of an affirmative response to the Information Notice (the “Offer Notice”) to the Requisite Holder and each Investor, stating (a) its bona fide intention to offer such New Securities, (b) the number of such New Securities to be offered, and (c) the price and terms, if any, upon which it proposes to offer such New Securities.

 

10.3 By notification to the Company within five (5) days after the Offer Notice is given, the Requisite Holder and each Investor may elect to purchase or otherwise acquire, at the price and on the terms specified in the Offer Notice, up to their Pro Rata Portion of the Offered Securities. “Pro Rata Portion” means the ratio of (x) Securities purchased by an Investor participating under this Section 10.3 and (y) the sum of the aggregate Securities purchased by all Investors participating under this 10.3. The closing of any sale pursuant to this Section shall occur within the later of ninety (90) days of the date that the Offer Notice is given and the date of initial sale of New Securities pursuant to Section 10.4.

 

10.4 The Company may, during the ninety (90) day period following the expiration of the period provided in Section 10.3, offer and sell the remaining portion of such New Securities to any Person or Persons at a price not less than, and upon terms no more favorable to the offeree than, those specified in the Offer Notice. If the Company does not enter into an agreement for the sale of the New Securities within such period, or if such agreement is not consummated within thirty (30) days of the execution thereof, the right provided hereunder shall be deemed to be revived and such New Securities shall not be offered unless first reoffered to the Investors in accordance with this Section.

 

29


 

10.5 The right of first offer in this Section shall not be applicable to offers, issuances, sales or other transactions related to Exempted Securities, or any New Securities registered for sale under the 1933 Act.

 

11. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

11.1 Fees and Expenses. Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company has paid the Lead Investor $25,000 as an advance the expenses payable under this Section 11.1. At the initial Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Lead Investor for actual and reasonably documented due diligence, travel and legal fees and expenses related to the preparation and negotiation of the Transaction Documents and disbursements of its counsel, Lucosky Brookman LLP it being understood that Lucosky Brookman LLP have not rendered any legal advice to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and that the Company has relied for such matters on the advice of its own counsel; provided that the foregoing cap maybe increased if in the reasonable discretion of the Lead Investor the legal services required to draft and negotiate the Transaction Documents exceeds those initially contemplated by the Parties. In the event that this Agreement is terminated prior to the occurrence of the initial Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Lead Investor for all actual and reasonably documented due diligence and legal fees and expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its counsel, Lucosky Brookman LLP. Except as specified above, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents. The Company shall pay all stamp and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the sale of the Notes.

 

11.2 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day, (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email at the email address specified in this Section on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on such date, (c) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows:

 

If to the Company:

 

Email:

Attention:

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Attention:

 

 

If to an Investor, such address set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Investor;

 

or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person.

 

30


 

11.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

11.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws or choice of laws.

 

11.5 Jurisdiction and Venue. Any action, proceeding or claim arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York (Commercial Division), or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Company and the Investors irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive, and hereby waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. The prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses relating to such action or proceeding.

 

11.6 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL. THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS.

 

11.7 Survival. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery of the Securities.

 

11.8 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the Exhibits and Schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.

 

11.9 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written instrument signed by the Company and the Requisite Holders. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of either party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

 

31


 

11.10 Construction. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party. This Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents.

 

11.11 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the Company and the Investors and their respective successors and assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders. Each Investor may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Investor assigns or transfers any Securities, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions hereof that apply to the “Investor” and such transferee is an accredited investor.

 

11.12 Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

11.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other parties. Signature pages delivered by facsimile or e-mail shall have the same force and effect as an original signature.

 

11.14 Specific Performance. Each of the Company and each Investor acknowledges that monetary damages alone would not be adequate compensation to the other parties hereto for a breach of this Agreement and the Company or the Requisite Holders may seek an injunction or an order for specific performance from a court of competent jurisdiction if (a) the Company or an Investor fails to comply or threatens not to comply with this Agreement or (b) on the one hand, the Company has reason to believe that an Investor will not comply with this Agreement or, on the other hand, the Requisite Holders have reason to believe that the Company will not comply with this Agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

32


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Securities Purchase Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

COMPANY:  
   
CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED  
   
By: /s/ Joern Husemoen  
Name:  Joern Husemoen  
Title: Director  

 

 

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

Name of Investor: Helena Special Opportunities LLC
 
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investor: /s/ Lawrence Cutler
 
Name of Authorized Signatory: Lawrence Cutler
 
Title of Authorized Signatory: Authorized Signatory
 
Email Address of Authorized Signatory: lcutler@arenaco.com
 
Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: N/A
 
Address for Notice to Investor: 2500 Westchester Ave. Suite 401 Purchase, NY 10577
   
Address for Delivery of Securities to Investor (if not same as address for notice):
 
Funding Amount of initial Note: $2,507,500.00
 
Principal amount of initial Note: $2,950,000.00

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF NOTE

 

[See attached]

 

 


 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF WARRANT

 

[See attached]

 

 


 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

[See attached]

 

 


 

EXHIBIT D

 

FLOW OF FUNDS REQUEST

 

Crown LNG Holdings Limited – Securities Purchase Agreement – Flow of Funds Request

 

In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 4, 2024 (the “Agreement”) between Crown LNG Holdings Limited (the “Company”),  (the “Investor”) and the other investors signatory thereto, the Company irrevocably authorizes the Investor to distribute such funds as set out below, in the manner set out below, at the Closing.

 

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this letter will have the meaning given to such terms in the Agreement.

 

Item Amount
Closing $
  $
Total $

 

Please transfer the net amount of US $ due at the Closing, to the following bank account:

 

Bank ID type:

Bank ID:

Bank Name:

Bank Address 1:

Bank Address 2:

Recipient Account (if appropriate enter the IBAN): Recipient name:

Recipient Address 1:

Recipient Address 2:

 

Yours sincerely,

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED

 

By:    
Name    
Title    

 

 


 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF SUBSIDAIRY GUARANTEE

 

[See attached]

 

 

 

 

EX-4.11 8 ea020814101ex4-11_crown.htm FORM OF CONVERTIBLE VENDOR NOTE

Exhibit 4.11

 

THIS CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE (THIS “NOTE”) AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH IT MAY BE CONVERTED HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE. THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. THE COMPANY AND THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH IT MAY BE CONVERTED MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY IN FORM, SCOPE AND SUBSTANCE TO THE COMPANY TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

CROWN LNG HOLDINGS LIMITED
PROMISSORY NOTE

 

Principal Amount: [●] Dated as of June [●], 2024

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order [●] (the “Payee”), in [●], the Principal Amount of [●] on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Note. All payments on this Promissory Note (the “Note”) shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds or as otherwise determined by the Maker to such account as the Payee may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

 

Reference is hereby made to that certain letter agreement, dated [●] (the “Engagement Letter”) by and between Maker and Payee, pursuant to which Payee agreed to defer payment for the services contemplated by the Engagement Letter.

 

This Note is subject successful Business Combination Agreement between Maker and Catcha Investment Corp and stock listing of Maker on Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, the “Close”.

 

1. Principal. The Principal Amount under this Note shall be i) [●], ii) [●] is payable 30 days after Close (the “Up-front”), iii) the unpaid Principal amount shall be added twenty (20) precent less the Up-front, iv) Maker will pay Payee [●] each quarter ending date (in total sum [●]) subsequent to the Close occurrence quarter, and v) if Maker raise additional capital after Close, Maker will use best endeavors to pay Payee any outstanding principal under this Note, unless accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined below). Any outstanding Principal Amount to date under this Note may be prepaid at any time by the Maker, at its election and without penalty; provided, however, that Payee shall have a right to first convert such principal balance pursuant to Section 5 below upon notice of such prepayment. Under no circumstances shall any individual, including but not limited to any officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Maker, be obligated personally for any obligations or liabilities of the Maker hereunder.

 

2. Interest. Interest at the fixed rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum, on the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note to be paid quarterly subsequent the Close quarter.

 

3. Application of Payments. All payments shall be applied first to payment in full of any costs incurred in the collection of any sum due under this Note, including (without limitation) reasonable attorney’s fees, then to the payment in full of any late charges and finally to the reduction of the unpaid principal balance of this Note. For the avoidance of doubt, any cash payments to Payee of any portion of the Deferred Fees will lower the principal amount due and payable under this Note.

 

 


 

4. Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an event of default (“Event of Default”):

 

(a) Failure to Make Required Payments. Failure by the Maker to pay any portions of the principal amount due pursuant to this Note within five (5) business days after the dates specified above or issue shares pursuant to Section 5 hereof, if so, elected by the Payee.

 

(b) Voluntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The commencement by the Maker of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation or other similar law, or the consent by it to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of any assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure of the Maker generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Maker in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

 

(c) Involuntary Bankruptcy, Etc. The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in respect of the Maker in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Maker or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days.

 

5. Conversion

 

(a) Conversion. Upon occurrence of any Events of Default, at the option of the Payee in its sole discretion and upon written notice to Maker on or prior to an Election Date any amounts outstanding under this Note may be converted (or any portion thereof), into ordinary shares of Maker (“Shares”) at a conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) equal to the VWAP Price: (i) on the date that is one hundred fifty (150) days following the Closing (the “Initial Election Date”), up to an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding principal amount of this Note; and (ii) on each thirty (30) day anniversary following the Initial Election Date (each such anniversary together with the Initial Election Date, each, an “Election Date”) up to an additional ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding principal amount of this Note (collectively, the “Conversion Rights”); provided that (i) the foregoing calculation of the aggregate amount available to be converted into Shares pursuant to the Conversion Rights assumes that there has been no prior payment of the principal of this Note and (ii) any amounts that were otherwise available to be converted pursuant to the Conversion Rights on an Election Date that were not so converted shall remain available for conversion pursuant to the Conversion Rights on subsequent Election Dates until so converted. For the avoidance of doubt, on the Election Date that is one hundred fifty (150) days following the Initial Election Date (and each Election Date thereafter) Payee may convert the entire principal of this Note that then remains outstanding.

 

For purposes of this Note, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which trading in Shares occurs on Nasdaq or other national securities exchanges.

 

“VWAP Price” means the average of the Volume Weighted Average Price of a Share for the twenty (20) consecutive Trading Day period occurring prior to the applicable Election Date. The VWAP Price shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any share split, share subdivision, split-up, reverse share split, share consolidation, share subdivision, share dividend or distribution (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Shares), extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to Shares occurring during the applicable measurement period.

 

“Volume Weighted Average Price” means, for any Trading Day, the per share volume weighted average price of a Share as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on the applicable Bloomberg page (or, if such page is not available, its equivalent successor page) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or, if such volume weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one Share on such Trading Day, determined, using a volume weighted average price method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected by Maker). The Volume Weighted Average Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the primary trading session. If the Volume Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated on any of the foregoing bases, the Volume Weighted Average Price for any Trading Day shall be as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Maker.

 

(b) Remaining Principal. All accrued and unpaid principal of this Note that is not then converted into Shares, shall continue to remain outstanding and to be subject to the conditions of this Note.

 

(c) Fractional Shares; Effect of Conversion. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of any fractional Shares to the Payee upon conversion of this Note, the Maker shall pay to the Payee an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Conversion Price by the fraction of a Share not issued pursuant to the previous sentence. Upon conversion of this Note in full and the payment of any amounts specified in this Section 5(c), this Note shall be cancelled and void without further action of the Maker or the Payee, and the Maker shall be forever released from all its obligations and liabilities under this Note.

 

2


 

6. Remedies.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 4(a) hereof, the Payee may, by written notice to the Maker, declare this Note to be due immediately and payable, whereupon the unpaid principal amount of this Note, and all other amounts payable thereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

(b) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 4(b) or 4(c), the unpaid principal balance of this Note, and all other sums payable with regard to this Note, shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, in all cases without any action on the part of the Payee.

 

7. Waivers. The Maker and all endorsers and guarantors of, and sureties for, this Note waive

presentment for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, and notice of protest with regard to the Note, all errors, defects and imperfections in any proceedings instituted by the Payee under the terms of this Note, and all benefits that might accrue to the Maker by virtue of any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale of any such property, from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution, exemption from civil process, or extension of time for payment; and the Maker agrees that any real estate that may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained by virtue hereof, on any writ of execution issued hereon, may be sold upon any such writ in whole or in part in any order desired by the Payee.

 

8. Unconditional Liability. The Maker hereby waives all notices in connection with the delivery,

acceptance, performance, default, or enforcement of the payment of this Note, and agrees that its liability shall be unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other party, and shall not be affected in any manner by any indulgence, extension of time, renewal, waiver or modification granted or consented to by the Payee, and consents to any and all extensions of time, renewals, waivers, or modifications that may be granted by the Payee with respect to the payment or other provisions of this Note, and agrees that additional makers, endorsers, guarantors, or sureties may become parties hereto without notice to the Maker or affecting the Maker’s liability hereunder.

 

9. Notices. All notices, statements or other documents that are required or contemplated by this Note

shall be in writing and delivered (i) personally or sent by first class registered or certified mail, overnight courier service to the address designated in writing, (ii) by facsimile to the number most recently provided to such party or such other address or fax number as may be designated in writing by such party, or (iii) by electronic mail, to the electronic mail address most recently provided to such party or such other electronic mail address as may be designated in writing by such party. Any notice or other communication so transmitted shall be deemed to have been given on the day of delivery, if delivered personally or by facsimile or electronic transmission; one (1) business day after delivery to an overnight courier service; or five (5) days after mailing if sent by first class registered or certified mail.

 

10. Construction. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.

 

11. Severability. Any provision contained in this Note that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12. Amendment; Waiver. Any amendment hereto or waiver of any provision hereof may be made with, and only with, the written consent of the Maker and the Payee.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker, intending to be legally bound hereby, has caused this Note to be duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written.

 

  [PAYEE]
   
  By:  
  Name:    
  Title:  

 

Acknowledged and agreed as of the date first above written.
Crown LNG Holdings Limited
   
By:    
Name:  Jørn Skule Husemoen  
Title: CFO  

  

4

 

EX-15.1 9 ea020814101ex15-1_crown.htm UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP AND CROWN LNG HOLDING AS

Exhibit 15.1

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Introduction

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2023 combines the historical audited balance sheet of Catcha as of December 31, 2023 and the historical audited consolidated statement of financial position of Crown as of December 31, 2023, giving pro forma effect to the Business Combination, financing agreements and certain other related events, collectively referred to as the “Transactions” for purpose of this section, as if the Transactions had occurred on December 31, 2023.

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of profit or loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 combines the historical audited statement of operations of Catcha for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the historical audited consolidated statement of comprehensive loss of Crown for the year ended December 31, 2023, giving pro forma effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the period presented.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with Crown’s and Catcha’s financial statements and related notes, as applicable. The historical audited financial statements of Catcha as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 are included in Catcha’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 17, 2024 incorporated herein by reference. The historical audited consolidated financial statements of Crown as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 are included as Exhibit 15.7 to this report.

 

Description of the Transactions

 

On July 9, 2024, the Business Combination was closed, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement dated August 3, 2023. The closing of the Business Combination resulted in the following transactions:

 

The Merger

 

At the Closing of the Business Combination, (i) all the assets and liabilities of Catcha and Merger Sub vested in and became the assets and liabilities of Catcha as the surviving company, and Catcha thereafter existed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo, and (ii) each issued and outstanding security of Catcha immediately prior to the Closing were cancelled in exchange for or converted into securities of PubCo as set out below.

 

Each (a) Catcha Class A Ordinary Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing was converted into the right to receive one newly issued PubCo Ordinary Share, and (b) remaining Catcha Class B Ordinary Share issued and outstanding prior to the Closing (after the conversion of 7,350,350 Class B Ordinary Shares into an equal number if Class A Ordinary Shares by the Sponsor on May 13, 2024) was converted into the right to receive one newly issued PubCo Ordinary Share;

 

Each Catcha warrant outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Closing was assumed by PubCo and converted into one PubCo Warrant that entitles the holder thereof to purchase one PubCo Ordinary Share in lieu of one Catcha Class A Ordinary Share and otherwise upon substantially the same terms and conditions applicable to such Catcha warrant prior to the Closing; and

 

The single Merger Sub Ordinary Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into a single ordinary share in Catcha, as the surviving company (such ordinary share being the only outstanding share in Catcha immediately following the Closing).

 

The Exchange

 

On July 9, 2024, subject to the terms and procedures set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, the Crown Shareholders transferred their shares of Common Stock to PubCo. In consideration for such transfer, PubCo issued to each of the Crown Shareholders its Pro Rata Share of the Exchange Consideration. The “Exchange Consideration” is a number of newly issued PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to (a) a transaction value of $600 million divided by (b) a per share price of $10.00. “Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to each Crown Shareholder, a fraction expressed as a percentage equal to (i) the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Crown Shareholder immediately prior to the Closing, divided by (ii) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Closing.

 

 


 

Accounting for the Business Combination

 

The Business Combination was accounted for as a capital reorganization in accordance with IFRS. Under this method of accounting, Catcha was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes, and Crown was the accounting “acquirer.” This determination was primarily based on that Crown Shareholders held the majority of the voting power of PubCo, Crown’s operations substantially comprise the ongoing operations of PubCo, Crown’s designees comprise a majority of the governing body of PubCo, and Crown’s senior management comprises the senior management of PubCo. However, Catcha does not meet the definition of a “business” pursuant to IFRS 3 Business Combinations, and thus, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was accounted for as a capital reorganization. The net assets of Catcha were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. The deemed cost of the shares issued by Crown, which represents the fair value of the shares that Crown would have had to issue for the ratio of ownership interest in PubCo to be the same as if the Business Combination had taken the legal form of Crown acquiring shares of Catcha, in excess of the net assets of Catcha was accounted for as share-based compensation under IFRS 2 Share-Based Payment.

 

Financing Agreements and Other Related Events

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes issuable upon closing of the Business Combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo Ordinary Shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 270th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

On June 13, 2024, PubCo and those certain investors to the April 2024 Notes entered into separate Note Subscription Agreement Updates to extend the date by which the subscription agreements with respect to the April 2024 Notes will terminate to July 28, 2024 if the closing of the sale of the notes has not occurred by such date.

 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with certain accredited investors (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, at consummation of the Business Combination, the Purchaser purchased an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placements with certain accredited investor who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, at consummation of the Business Combination, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers purchased an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

2


 

The PIPE Subscription Agreements contain customary representations and warranties of Catcha, PubCo, the Purchaser, and the Existing Shareholder Purchasers, and customary conditions to closing, as well as customary indemnification obligations. Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreements, PubCo has agreed to register the resale of the PIPE Shares and is required to prepare and file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than thirty days following the closing date of the Business Combination.

 

The closing of the PIPE Subscription Agreements took place concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to approximately USD$20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in the description below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Securities Purchase Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue the SPA Notes and warrants (the “Warrants”) to the Investor across multiple tranches (the “Tranches”) consisting of an initial tranche (the “Initial Tranche”) of (i) an aggregate principal amount of $2.95 million and including an original issue discount (“OID”) of up to an aggregate of $442,500, plus Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts (defined as 50% of the principal amount of each issued Tranche, divided by $10). The second tranche (the “Second Tranche”) consists of an aggregate principal amount of SPA Notes of up to $2.95 million and including an OID of up to $442,500 and Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranche. The Securities Purchase Agreement contemplates up to five subsequent Tranches, each of which will be in an aggregate principal amount of SPA Notes of $2.95 million each and each including an OID of $442,500 and Warrants to purchase a number of PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to the applicable Warrant Share Amounts with respect to such Tranches. The purchase price of an SPA Note and its accompanying Warrant will be computed by subtracting the portion of the OID represented by such SPA Note from the portion of the principal amount represented by such SPA Note (a “Purchase Price”).

 

The Closing of the purchase of each Tranche shall be subject to certain terms and conditions, including but not limited to:

 

a) Initial Tranche. Closing of the Initial Tranche was occurred on the Closing of the Business Combination

 

b) The Second Tranche. Closing of the Second Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date of the Initial Tranche and (ii) such date as the Notes and Warrants issuable in such Tranche may be resold pursuant to an effective registration statement pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act.

 

c) Third and Fourth Tranches.

 

a. Closing of each such Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 and (ii) the lesser of (x) two and one half times the median of the value of shares traded over each of the thirty (30) Trading Days preceding the Closing Day for such Tranche, and (y) $2.95 million, and

 

b. the Closing Date of such Tranche shall not occur prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date of the previous Tranche and (ii) such date as the Company and the Investor shall mutually agree.

 

3


 

  d) Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Tranches. Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall occur on such date as the Company and the Investor shall mutually agree, if at all; provided that the Closing of any subsequent Tranche shall be for only one Tranche of Notes having an initial aggregate Principal Amount equal to the greater of (i) $50,000 and (ii) the lesser of (x) two and one half times the median of the value of shares traded over each of the 30 Trading Days preceding the Closing Date for such Tranche, and (y) $2.95 million.

 

Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B Financial Group, LLC. acted as placement agent to Pubco for the facility described above.

 

Vendors Promissory Notes for Fee Deferrals

 

From June 18, 2024 to June 26, 2024, Pubco issued five convertible promissory notes to certain vendors (the “Vendors”), agreeing to defer payment for services provided (the “Convertible Vendor Notes”). The aggregate principal amount for all the Convertible Vendor Notes is approximately $5.0 million, bearing interest at 12% per annum. The Convertible Vendor Notes provides that twenty to fifty percent of the principal amount is payable within 30 days after the Closing Date, depending on Vendor. The remaining unpaid principal amount for each Convertible Vendor Note shall be increased by 20%, and payable in equal installments each quarter ending date subsequent to the Closing Date, from between one year and up to five years, depending on Vendor. If Pubco raises additional capital after Close, Pubco will use best endeavors to pay any outstanding principal under the Convertible Vendor Notes. All the Convertible Vendor Notes provide that upon occurrence of a default, at the option of the Vendor any amounts outstanding under the Convertible Vendor Note may be converted into ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to the VWAP Price: (i) on the date that is one hundred fifty (150) days following the Closing Date (the “Initial Election Date”), up to an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding principal amount of this Note; and (ii) on each thirty (30) day anniversary following the Initial Election Date (each such anniversary together with the Initial Election Date, each, an “Election Date”) up to an additional ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding principal amount of the Vendor Note (collectively, the “Conversion Rights”); provided that (i) the foregoing calculation of the aggregate amount available to be converted into Shares pursuant to the Conversion Rights assumes that there has been no prior payment of the principal of the Convertible Vendor Note and (ii) any amounts that were otherwise available to be converted pursuant to the Conversion Rights on an Election Date that were not so converted shall remain available for conversion pursuant to the Conversion Rights on subsequent Election Dates until so converted. A default is constituted in the event of (i) failure by Pubco to pay any portions of the principal amount within five (5) business days after the dates specified in the Convertible Vendor Notes or issue shares pursuant to the Vendor Notes, if so, elected by the Vendor; (ii) voluntary bankruptcy; and (iii) involuntary bankruptcy. In addition, on July 9, 2024, PubCo also issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $3.5 million to another Service Provider to Crown and Catcha, with such amounts representing deferrals of fees owed thereto. Such Promissory Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, subject to Crown’s option to defer 50% thereof as paid-in-kind, with principal due thereunder payable at maturity on the 18-month anniversary of the issuance thereof. There is no conversion feature provided for under such Promissory Notes.

 

CCM Amendment Agreement

 

On June 25, 2024, Cohen & Company Capital Markets division (“CCM”), Catcha and PubCo entered into an Amendment (“CCM Amendment”) to the Engagement Letter, which was originally entered into between CCM and Catcha on May 18, 2023. Nothing was recorded by Catcha yet on its historical audited financials statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the original Engagement Letter. Pursuant to the CCM Amendment, the fees contemplated in the Engagement Letter were amended as follows:

 

$100,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the closing of the Business Combination;

 

$100,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the funding of the second tranche of funding pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement with Helena Special Opportunities LLC described above;

 

4


 

350,000 ordinary shares of Pubco, which was satisfied by Sponsor on behalf of PubCo within the aggregate of 1,900,000 of such transfers to Service Providers described above; and

 

Issuance by PubCo to CCM at the closing of the Business Combination of a Promissory Note in the principal amount of $1,000,000, which shall be convertible at CCM’s election beginning six months following closing of the Business Combination. The conversion price shall equal the lessor of (x) the 5 VWAP trading days ending on the VWAP trading day immediately preceding the applicable conversion and (y) 95% of the previous trading day closing price of PubCo Ordinary Shares. Upon the second anniversary of issuance, all remaining amounts due under the note shall convert into PubCo Ordinary Shares

 

Polar Convertible Promissory Notes

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo, Catcha, Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”) entered into an Amendment (the “March Amendment”) to the March 2023 Subscription Agreement, which was originally entered into between Catcha, Sponsor and Polar, pursuant to which Polar provided $300,000 to Catcha (the “March Capital Contribution”) for working capital purposes.

 

Pursuant to this Amendment, PubCo, Catcha and the Sponsor jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay, as a return of capital, an amount equal to the March Capital Contribution funded by Polar to Catcha within five (5) business days of the Closing of the Business Combination, by:

 

A. Issuance of a convertible promissory note by the Company in favor of Polar or its nominee, with consideration for such note equal to 50% of the March Capital Contribution; and

 

B. Payment in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to 50% of the March Capital Contribution.

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo, Catcha, Sponsor and Polar entered into an Amendment (the “October Amendment”) to the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, which was originally entered into between Catcha, Sponsor and Polar, pursuant to which Polar provided $750,000 to Catcha (the “October Capital Contribution”) for working capital purposes.

 

Pursuant to this Amendment, PubCo, Catcha and the Sponsor jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay, as a return of capital, an amount equal to the October Capital Contribution funded by Polar to Catcha within five (5) business days of the Closing of the Business Combination, by:

 

A. Issuance of a convertible promissory note by the Company in favor of Polar or its nominee, with consideration for such note equal to 50% of the October Capital Contribution; and

 

B. Payment in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to 50% of the October Capital Contribution.

 

On July 8, 2024, PubCo and Polar entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which PubCo shall issue Promissory Notes for an aggregate purchase price of up to $525,000, divided into two separate notes, with an aggregate principal amount of $583,334, reflecting original issue discount of 10%. The issuance of such Promissory Notes was in satisfaction of 50% of the payment due upon the Closing of the Business Combination under the March Amendment and the October Amendment, as described above, with no additional amount paid by Polar.

 

5


 

Founder Share Transfers

 

On July 8, 2024, Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 6,511,627 Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares to third parties who provided financing in connection with the Business Combination, Transaction Expense Reduction as well as settlement of liabilities, including on behalf of Crown. This includes including 1,500,000 Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares as commitment shares to the Investor in consideration for its entry into the Securities Purchase Agreement described above, 1,900,000 Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares to Service Providers to Catcha in partial consideration for the Transaction Expense Reduction, including fee deferrals, and 3,111,627 Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares to certain investors in consideration for providing financing to Crown and Catcha, including providing the Transferred Collateral securing the Securities Lending Agreement described above, and settlement of certain liabilities. The Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares were exchanged for PubCo Ordinary Shares in the Business Combination, in a transaction registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended pursuant to PubCo’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2024 (File No. 333-274832) and, accordingly, may be freely transferred without restrictions under the Securities Act by the recipients thereof. The agreements with certain of the Service Providers provide that, if the Service Provider sells the Service Provider Shares for proceeds equal to or greater than an agreed upon amount, then such Service Provider shall return any remaining Service Provider Shares to Sponsor.

 

Non-Redemption Agreements

 

On June 20, 2024, Catcha entered into non-redemption agreements (the “Non-Redemption Agreements”) with one or more investors (each, a “Backstop Investor”), each acting on behalf of certain funds, investors, entities or accounts that are managed, sponsored or advised by each such Backstop Investor or its affiliates. Pursuant to the Non-Redemption Agreements, the Backstop Investors agreed that, on or prior to closing of the Business Combination, the Backstop Investors will rescind or reverse their previous election to redeem an aggregate of up to approximately 800,000 Catcha ordinary shares (the “Backstop Shares”), which redemption requests were made in connection with Catcha’s extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 12, 2024. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Catcha paid or caused to be paid to each Backstop Investor a payment in respect of its respective Backstop Shares in cash released from Catcha’s trust account in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of Backstop Shares and (y) $2.075, which is equal to (A) the price per share for a pro rata portion of the amount on deposit in the trust account, less (B) $9.50. As a result, Catcha paid $11,717 to the Backstop Investor for agreeing not to redeem 5,486 Backstop Shares at the Closing of the Transactions.

 

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses” and is for informational purposes only.

 

The following table sets out the share ownership of PubCo following the Closing(1):

 

    Ownership in
Shares
    %  
Crown Shareholders     60,000,000       87.0 %
Catcha Public Shareholders(2)     226,521       0.3 %
Catcha Sponsor and Founders     838,723       1.2 %
Polar     1,050,000       1.5 %
SPA Notes Investor     1,500,000       2.2 %
Service Providers     1,900,000       2.8 %
PIPE Investors     202,863       0.3 %
Others(3)     3,261,277       4.7 %
Total     68,979,384       100.0 %

 

 

(1) Does not give effect to the issuance of any shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of warrants (including any private placement warrants that may be issued to the Sponsor upon its election upon conversion of the Working Capital Loan and the Extension Note or the SPA warrants).

(2) Reflects the redemption of 641,303 Class A Ordinary Shares in February 2024, the redemption of 208,674 Class A Ordinary Shares in May 2024, and the redemption of 1,138,361 Class A Ordinary Shares in July 2024.

(3) It includes Class A Ordinary Shares distributed to certain investors in consideration for providing financing to Crown and Catcha and to meet the roundlot requirements.

6


 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position
DECEMBER 31, 2023
(In thousands)

 

    Crown
(IFRS,
Historical)
    Catcha
(US GAAP,
Historical)
    IFRS
conversion
and
presentation
alignment
(Note 2)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
        Pro Forma
Combined
 
ASSETS                                  
Non-current assets                                  
Non-current financial assets   $ 242,360     $     $     $         $ 242,360  
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account           24,782             (22,891 )   A      
                              (2,636 )   B        
                              446     I        
                              299     K        
                                             
Total non-current assets     242,360       24,782             (24,782 )         242,360  
                                             
Current assets                                            
Cash and cash equivalents     88       31             2,636     B     5,607  
                              (2,166 )   C        
                              541     L        
                              (525 )   N        
                              1,000     P        
                              2,250     Q        
                              1,764     R        
                              (12 )   S        
Current financial assets     4,228                             4,228  
Note receivable, net of original issuance discount           750             (750 )   O      
Derivative asset – Note Receivable, at fair value           2,689             (2,689 )   O      
Other current assets     418       10             630     C     1,058  
Total current assets     4,734       3,480             2,679           10,893  
Total assets   $ 247,094     $ 28,262     $     $ (22,103 )       $ 253,253  
                                             
EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND LIABILITIES                                            
Equity                                            
Crown share capital   $ 190     $     $     $ (190 )   D   $  
PubCo ordinary shares                       6     D     7  
                                  F        
                              1     H        
                                  N        
                                  R        
Catcha Class A ordinary shares                                  

 

7


 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position — (Continued)
December 31, 2023
(In thousands)

  

    Crown
(IFRS,
Historical)
    Catch
(US GAAP,
Historical)
    IFRS
conversion
and
presentation
alignment
(Note 2)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
        Pro Forma
Combined
 
Catcha Class B ordinary shares           1             (1 )   H      
Share premium     231,891                   (545 )   C     322,553  
                              184     D        
                              (14,330 )   E        
                              2,636     F        
                              80,924     G        
                              3,500     J        
                              112     K        
                              196     L        
                              1,630     M        
                              14,591     Q        
                              1,764     R        
                                             
Other capital reserves     12,341                             12,341  
Accumulated deficit     (23,415 )     (9,969 )         (2,259 )   C     (118,135 )
                              14,330     E        
                              (80,924 )   G        
                                  I        
                              (4,579 )   J        
                              (299 )   K        
                              1,900     N        
                              204     O        
                              (13,112 )   Q        
                             

(12

)   S        
Cumulative translation differences     1,684                          

1,684

 
Non-controlling interest     (88 )                           (88 )
Total equity (deficit)     222,603       (9,968 )           5,727           218,362  
Non-current liabilities                                            
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities     1,223                             1,223  
Non-current lease liabilities     32                             32  
Provisions     4,758                             4,758  
Warrant liability           622             70     M     692  
Total non-current liabilities     6,013       622             70           6,705  
                                             
Current liabilities                                            
Current interest-bearing liabilities     2,166                   (954 )   O     1,212  
Current lease liabilities     13                             13  
Trade payables     5,038             5,778       (7,955 )   C     2,861  
Provisions     10,511                             10,511  
Other current liabilities     750                             750  
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption                 24,782       (22,891 )   A      
                              (2,636 )   F        
                              446     I        
                              299     K        
Capital contribution note, at fair value           2,200             (2,200 )   N      
Working capital loan, at fair value           676             345     L      
                              (1,021 )   M        
Note payable, net of original issuance discount           750             (750 )   N      
Derivative Liability - Note Payable, at fair value           2,689             (2,689 )   O      
Promissory note – related party, at fair value           492             187     K      
                              (679 )   M        
April 2024 Notes                       1,000     P     1,000  
SPA Notes                           Q      
SPA Notes - derivative liability                       771     Q     771  
Polar convertible promissory notes                       372     N     372  
Polar convertible promissory notes – derivative liability                       153     N     153  
CCM convertible promissory notes                           J      
CCM convertible promissory notes – derivative liability                       1,079     J     1,079  
Vendor promissory notes                       3,500     C     3,500  
Vendor promissory notes – derivative liability                       5,723     C     5,723  
Due to related party           241                       241  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses           5,778       (5,778 )                
Total current liabilities     18,478       12,826       24,782       (27,900 )         28,186  
Total liabilities     24,491       13,448       24,782       (27,830 )         34,891  
                                             
Commitments and Contingencies                                            
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption          

24,782

     

(24,782

)                
                                             
Total equity (deficit) and liabilities   $ 247,094     $ 28,262     $     $ (22,103 )       $ 253,253  

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

8


 

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Profit or Loss
For the Year ended December 31, 2023
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

    Crown
(IFRS,
Historical)
    Catcha
(US GAAP,
Historical)
    IFRS
Conversion
and
presentation
alignment
(Note 2)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
        Pro Forma
Combined
 
Revenue   $     $     $     $         $  
Employee benefit expenses     (1,780 )                           (1,780 )
Transaction listing cost                       (80,924 )   BB     (100,886 )
                        (19,962 )   DD      
Other operating expenses     (9,806 )           (6,742 )     (105 )   CC     (16,533 )
                              120     EE        
Formation and operating costs           (6,742 )     6,742                  
                                             
Operating loss     (11,586 )     (6,742 )           (100,871 )         (119,199 )
                                             
Finance expenses     (751 )                 204     GG     (9,530 )
                              (158 )   HH        
                              (3,245 )   KK        
                              (4,730 )   MM        
                              (580 )   NN        
                              (270 )   OO        
                                             
Finance income     8,163             2,775       (2,775 )   AA     8,163  
Interest income – note receivable, net of original issuance discount           750             (750 )   FF      
Interest expense – note payable, net of original issuance discount           (750 )           750     FF      
Gain on initial recognition of Derivative Asset – Note Receivable           1,918             (1,918 )   FF      
Change in fair value of Derivative Asset – Note Receivable           22             (22 )   FF      
Loss on initial recognition of fair value of Derivative Asset – Note Payable           (1,918 )           1,918     FF      
Change in fair value of Derivative Liability – Note Payable           (22 )           22     FF      
Exercise of fair value of capital contribution note over proceeds at issuance           (1,060 )                     (1,060 )
Other income attributable to derecognitioon of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs           483                       483  
Change in fair value of convertible promissory notes           (118 )           118     FF      
Change in fair value of Working Capital Loan           (133 )           133     FF      
Change in fair value of capital contribution note           (841 )           841     FF      
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities           (553 )           (68 )   LL     (621 )
Other income attributable to the derecognition of the Polar investment                       1,900     JJ     1,900  
Interest income on marketable securities held in Trust Account           2,775       (2,775 )                
                                             
Loss before income tax     (4,174 )     (6,189 )           (109,501 )         (119,864 )
Income tax benefit                                  
Net loss     (4,174 )     (6,189 )           (109,501 )         (119,864 )
Non-controlling interest     (4 )                           (4 )
Net loss attributable to controlling interest   $ (4,170 )   $ (6,189 )   $     $ (109,501 )       $ (119,860 )
                                             
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted     80,681,000                                      
Net loss per share – basic and diluted   $ (0.05 )                                    
Weighted average shares outstanding, redeemable Class A ordinary shares             5,792,672                              
Basic and diluted net loss per share, redeemable Class A ordinary shares           $ (0.47 )                            
Weighted average shares outstanding, non-redeemable Class A and Class B ordinary shares             7,500,000                              
Basic and diluted net loss per share, non-redeemable Class A and Class B ordinary shares           $ (0.47 )                            
Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted                                         68,979,384  
Pro forma net loss per share – basic and diluted                                       $ (1.74 )

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

9


 

Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

 

1. Basis of the presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2023 combines the historical audited balance sheet of Catcha as of December 31, 2023 and the historical audited consolidated statement of financial position of Crown as of December 31, 2023, giving pro forma effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on December 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of profit or loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 combines the historical audited statement of operations of Catcha for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the historical audited consolidated statement of comprehensive loss of Crown for the year ended December 31, 2023, giving pro forma effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on January 1, 2023, the beginning of the period presented.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2023, has been derived from:

 

the historical audited financial statements of Catcha as of December 31, 2023, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; and

 

the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Crown as of December 31, 2023, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of profit or loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, has been derived from:

 

the historical audited financial statements of Catcha for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus; and

 

the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Crown for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not necessarily reflect what the PubCo financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Transactions occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the PubCo. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.

 

This information should be read together with Catcha’s financial statements and related notes, and “Catcha’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in Catcha’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 17, 2024 incorporated herein by reference, and Crown’s financial statements and related notes, and “Crown’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included as exhibits in this report.

 

The historical financial statements of Crown have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS Accounting Standards”)   as issued by the IASB or IAS 34, as appropriate, and in its presentation currency of the U.S. dollar (“USD” or “$”). The historical financial statements of Catcha have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in its presentation currency of the U.S. dollar (“USD” or “$”). The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects IFRS, as issued by the IASB and in USD, the basis of accounting used by PubCo and except for the reclassification of the Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares subject to redemption to non-current liabilities, no other material accounting policy difference is identified in converting Catcha’s historical financial statements to IFRS. Further, as part of the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, certain reclassifications were made to align Catcha’s historical financial information in accordance with the presentation of Crown’s historical financial information. The adjustments presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of PubCo after giving effect to the Transactions.

 

10


 

The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” Release No. 33-10786 replaced the existing pro forma adjustment criteria with simplified requirements to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management’s Adjustments”). Crown has elected not to present Management’s Adjustments and will only be presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The historical financial information has been adjusted to reflect the pro forma adjustments that are directly attributable to the Transactions as described below.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that PubCo will experience.

 

2. Conversion and Reclassification of Catcha’s Financial Statement

 

The historical financial information of Catcha has been adjusted to give effect to the differences between GAAP and IFRS as issued by the IASB or IAS 34, as appropriate, for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. One adjustment required to convert Catcha’s balance sheet from GAAP to IFRS for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was to reclassify Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares subject to redemption to current financial liabilities under IFRS 2, as shareholders have the right to require Catcha to redeem the Class A Ordinary Shares and Catcha has an irrevocable obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument for such redemption. Under US GAAP, the Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares subject to redemption are classified as temporary equity.

 

Catcha’s warrants are considered to be derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities under both US GAAP and IFRS, and as such, no adjustment is required. Upon completion of the Transactions, the warrants are expected to remain liability classified.

 

Further, as part of the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, certain reclassifications were made to align Catcha historical financial information in accordance with the presentation of Crown’s historical financial information.

 

3. Adjustments to Unaudited pro forma Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2023.

 

The Transaction Accounting Adjustments are as follows.

 

  A. Reflects (i) the redemption of 641,303 Public Shares at approximately $11.29 per share in an aggregate redemption payment of $7.2 million in February 2024, (ii) the redemption of 208,674 Public Shares at approximately $11.52 per share in an aggregate redemption payment of $2.4 million in May 2024, and (iii) the redemption of 1,138,361 Public Shares at approximately $11.64 per share in an aggregate redemption payment of $13.2 million in July 2024.

 

  B. Reflects the liquidation and reclassification of approximately $2.6 million of funds held in the Trust Account to cash and bank balances that becomes available following the Transactions, after including interest earned in trust and extension deposits made in trust through July 9, 2024.

 

11


 

  C. Represents preliminary estimated transaction costs expected to be incurred by Catcha and Crown of approximately $14.9 million for legal, accounting, underwriting, due diligence and printing fees incurred as part of the Transactions.

 

For the Catcha transaction costs of $7.3 million, $5.2 million have been accrued and $0.2 million have been paid as of the pro forma statement of financial position date and $0.6 million are recorded as prepayment for a director and officer (“D&O”) insurance policy for a six year term. The remaining amount of $1.3 million is reflected as an adjustment to accumulated losses.

 

For the Crown transaction costs of $7.6 million, $3.6 million have been accrued and $2.3 million have been paid as of the pro forma statement of financial position date and the amount of $1.5 million is included as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital for transaction cost allocated to the new share issuance and $0.2 million as an adjustment to accumulated losses for transaction cost allocated to the listing expense.

 

It also reflects the Vendor Promissory Notes issued by Pubco for the vendors agreeing to defer payment for services provided and shares transferred to certain service providers by the Sponsor in partial consideration for the Transaction Expense Reduction.

 

As a result, a total of $2.2 million was paid in cash, $8.0 million payables were reversed, and vendors promissory notes in an aggregate principal amount of $8.5 million was recognized. In connection with the recognition of the Convertible Vendor Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million, a derivative with fair value of $5.7 million was recognized as debt discount of $5.0 million and expenses of $0.7 million in the pro forma financial statements. In connection with the shares transferred to certain service providers by the Sponsor, a total of $1.0 million was recorded as contributed capital.

 

  D. Represents the Exchange of outstanding shares of common stock into 60,000,000 ordinary shares upon the Closing of the Transactions and the reverse recapitalization of Crown.

 

  E. Represents the elimination of Catcha’s historical accumulated losses after recording (1) the transaction costs to be incurred by Catcha as described in (C) above, (2) the advisory service fees as described in (J) below, (3) the accretion to shares subject to possible redemption as described in (K) below, (4) the issuance of shares to Polar as described in (N) below, and (5) the payment to the Backstop Investor as described in (S) below.

 

  F. Represents the reclassification of 226,521 shares of Catcha Class A Ordinary Shares subject to possible redemption to permanent equity since such shares are no longer subject to redemption upon the Closing of the Transactions.

 

  G. Represents the preliminary estimated expense recognized, in accordance with IFRS 2, for the excess of the deemed costs of the shares issued by Crown and the fair value of Catcha’s identifiable net assets at the Closing the Transactions, resulting in a $80.9 million increase to accumulated loss. The fair value of shares issued was based on a market price of $8.90 (as of July 9, 2024).

 

    Shares     (in 000s)  
Catcha shareholders            
IPO shareholders, after all redemptions     226,521          
PIPE shareholders     202,863          
Sponsor, service providers, SPA Notes Investor, and others     7,500,000          
Polar     1,050,000          
      8,979,384          
Deemed cost of shares to be issued to Catcha shareholders           $ 79,917  
IFRS Net assets of Catcha as of December 31, 2023             (9,968 )
Less: Catcha transaction costs, net             (395 )
Less: Extension trust deposits             (187 )
Add: working capital note             196  
Add: repayment of Polar investment with shares             1,900  
Add: Release of redeemable Class A Ordinary Shares             2,636  
Add: conversion of the Working Capital Loan and the Extension Note into warrants             1,630  
Less: issuance of convertible promissory notes to CCM             (1,079 )
Less: payment to the Backstop Investor             (12 )
Add: issuance of commitment shares and warrants to SPA Notes Investor             2,508  
Add: issuance of PIPE shares             1,764  
                 
Adjusted net assets (liabilities) of Catcha as of December 31, 2023             (1,007 )
Difference – being IFRS 2 charge for listing services           $ 80,924  

 

12


 

  H. Reflects the conversion of 7,500,000 Class B Ordinary Shares into PubCo Ordinary Shares on a one-for-one basis.

 

  I. Records interest earned in the Trust Account subsequent to December 31, 2023 through July 9, 2024, net of amounts paid out to redeeming shareholders.

 

  J. Reflects the transfer of 350,000 shares to CCM by Sponsor for advisory services valued at $10.00 per share, and the issuance of convertible promissory notes to CCM in principal amount of $1.0 million.

 

  K. Reflects the additional borrowings subsequent to December 31, 2023 through to July 9, 2024 in a form of a promissory note in order to fund the extension payments into the Trust Account, and the accretion to the Catcha ordinary shares subject to possible redemption.

 

  L. Reflects the additional borrowings subsequent to December 31, 2023 through to July 9, 2024 in a form of a working capital note in order to fund Catcha’s working capital needs.

 

  M. Reflects the conversion of all outstanding Working Capital Loan and the Extension Note into warrants at the Closing of the Transactions. The fair value of the warrant liabilities was based on a market price of $0.0375 (as of July 9, 2024).

 

  N. Reflects the issuance of an aggregate of 1,050,000 Ordinary Shares to Polar at the Closing of the Transactions and the settlement of Polar investment by issuance of convertible promissory notes with total principal value equal to $0.6 million, and (2) payment in cash equal to $0.5 million.

 

  O. Reflects the elimination of an intercompany transaction (the Promissory Note between Catcha and Crown, whereby Catcha provided a loan in the principal amount of $750,000 to Crown) upon the Closing of the Transactions.

 

  P. Reflects the issuance of the April 2024 Notes.

 

  Q. Reflects the issuance of the SPA Notes. The conversion option which provides for settlement of the SPA Notes, at the option of the payee, meets the definition of a derivative under IAS 32/IFRS 9. The pro forma estimated fair value of the derivative was determined with a Monte Carlo simulation.

 

  R. Reflects the receipt of cash proceeds of $1.8 million from issuance of the PIPE shares.

 

  S. Reflects the cash payment to the Backstop Investor for agreeing not to redeem 5,486 Catcha’s Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Non-Redemption Agreements.

 

4. Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Profit or Loss for the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

The Transaction Accounting Adjustments, based on preliminary estimates that could change materially as additional information is obtained, are as follows:

 

AA. Reflects the elimination of interest income generated from the investments held in the Trust Account.

 

BB. Represents $80.9 million of expense recognized, in accordance with IFRS 2, for the difference between the deemed costs of the shares issued by Crown and the fair value of Catcha’s identifiable net assets, as described in (G) above. This cost is a nonrecurring item.

 

CC. Reflects the annual amortization of the D&O insurance described in adjustment (C) above.

 

  DD. Reflects the incremental transaction cost, listing cost, and one-term charge expenses as per (C), (J) (Q) and (S) above.

 

EE. Reflects the elimination of administrative service fees that will no longer be payable upon the Closing.

 

13


 

  FF. Reflects the elimination of the change in fair value of notes after giving effect to the conversion/repayment of the notes as if it had occurred on January 1, 2023.

 

  GG. Reflects the elimination of intercompany transactions.

 

  HH. Reflects the interest expense accrued on the April 2024 Notes and the amortization of debt discount assuming the Transactions had closed on January 1, 2023.

 

  JJ. Reflects income recognized in connection with the issuance of shares to Polar and the settlement of Polar investment as per (N) above.

 

  KK. Reflects the interest expense accrued on the SPA Notes and the amortization of debt discount assuming the Transactions had closed on January 1, 2023.

 

  LL. Reflects the change in fair value of the warrants after giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding Working Capital Loan and the Extension Note into warrants as if it had occurred on January 1, 2023.

 

  MM. Reflects the interest expense accrued on the vendor promissory notes and the amortization of debt discount assuming the Transactions had closed on January 1, 2023.

 

  NN. Reflects the interest expense accrued on the CCM convertible promissory notes and the amortization of debt discount assuming the Transactions had closed on January 1, 2023.

 

  OO. Reflects the interest expense accrued on the Polar convertible promissory notes and the amortization of debt discount assuming the Transactions had closed on January 1, 2023.

 

5. Loss per Share

 

Represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Transactions, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2023. As the Transactions are being reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issued in connection with the Transactions have been outstanding for the entire period presented. Any potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share given that their effects would be anti-dilutive.

 

    For the year
ended
December 31,
2023
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted      
Crown Shareholders     60,000,000  
Catcha Public Shareholders     226,521  
Catcha Sponsor and Founders     838,723  
Polar     1,050,000  
SPA Notes Investor     1,500,000  
Service Providers     1,900,000  
PIPE Investors     202,863  
Others     3,261,277  
Total     68,979,384  

 

 

14

 

 

EX-15.2 10 ea020814101ex15-2_crown.htm CROWN'S MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Exhibit 15.2

 

CROWN’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Crown LNG Holding AS should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, together with related notes thereto. In addition to historical information, some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, future financial performance, expense levels and liquidity sources, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read the sections entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included or incorporated by reference in this Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to the “Company,” “Crown,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the business of Crown LNG Holding AS and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination. Certain events are described that relate to PubCo, which refers to Crown LNG Holdings Limited and is the ultimate parent company of Crown LNG Holdings AS after the business combination.

 

Overview

 

Crown LNG was founded in 2016 in Oslo, Norway, with the mission of providing offshore LNG critical infrastructure suitable for year-round operations in harsh weather locations. We design and seek to own and operate all-weather liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) liquefaction and re-gasification terminals, utilizing bottom-fixed, gravity-based structures. While floating technology solutions are not part of our core business, we will also seek to develop, own and operate floating storage and re-gasification units (“FSRU”) where we possess a competitive advantage for doing so.

 

We believe there is a market opportunity for our LNG infrastructure, which is expected to grow along with the growth in LNG supply and demand. Morgan Stanley projects that global LNG demand will reach 570 MTPA in 2030 compared to 400 MTPA in 2022. We believe we are well positioned to take advantage of this growth in LNG demand given the key advantages of offshore LNG import and export facilities over onshore technology. These advantages relate to regulatory demands, environmental impact, land acquisition, security requirements and overall cost.

 

We plan to be active in two critical parts of the LNG value chain: (1) liquefaction, where natural gas from producers is supercooled to a liquid for transport by ship as LNG, and (2) re-gasification (or “re-gas”), where the LNG is turned back into gas and delivered to consumers and businesses. We seek to provide stable, secure, year-round LNG production and gas supplies to growing markets and locations exposed to harsh weather conditions. We aim to expand the global market for LNG (particularly LNG supplied from the U.S.) and contribute to lower carbon emissions in the markets we serve by replacing coal and oil with LNG.

  

Our Revenue Model

 

We seek to avoid commodity price and volume risk. We do not intend to buy or sell LNG. Rather, we seek to build, own and operate the terminals in exchange for take-or-pay style fixed-price contracts. In the case of the regasification terminals, our customers will buy LNG from the global LNG market and pay us to store the LNG and re-gasify it. In the case of liquefaction terminals, we expect that our customers will be gas producers and aggregators seeking to sell their gas in the form of LNG to domestic and overseas markets. These liquefaction customers will pay on a liquefaction fee per MMBtu basis coupled with a minimum use-or-pay arrangement to assure bankability of our liquefaction terminals.

 

The Business Combination

 

On August 3, 2023, we entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Catcha, PubCo and Merger Sub, as amended from time to time thereafter, pursuant to which (i) on the Merger Effective Date, Merger Sub merged with and into Catcha, with Catcha as the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of PubCo and (ii) following the Merger, subject to the terms and procedures set forth under the Business Combination Agreement, the Crown Shareholders transferred to PubCo, and PubCo acquired from the Crown Shareholders, all of the ordinary shares of Crown held by the shareholders in exchange for the issuance of the number of newly issued PubCo Ordinary Shares equal to (x) a transaction value of $600 million divided by (y) a per share price of $10.00. The Merger Effective Date was July 8, 2024 and the remaining series of transactions comprising the Business Combination were consummated on July 9, 2024.

 

 


 

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the Business Combination will be accounted for as a capital reorganization in accordance with IFRS. Under this method of accounting, Catcha will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes, and we will be the accounting “acquirer.” See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for additional information on the Business Combination and the expected financial impact.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, PubCo became a publicly traded company with its stock trading on Nasdaq. As a newly publicly traded company, PubCo will be required to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. PubCo expects to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including personnel costs, audit and other professional services fees.

 

In connection with the Business Combination, PubCo consummated several financing transactions, as described under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources of Liquidity—Subsequent Financing Arrangements” below, generating $7.9 million of aggregate gross proceeds therefrom. PubCo also entered into a series of agreements with Service Providers, resulting in the reduction of transaction expenses payable at closing of the Business Combination, in exchange for certain transfers of founder shares held by Sponsor and the issuance of promissory notes for the deferred payment of expenses, as described under “Explanatory Note – Fee Deferrals, Share Transfers and Other Transaction Expense Reductions.”

 

Key Factors Affecting Our Prospectus and Future Results

 

Our operations to date have been limited to business planning, raising capital, and development activities relating to the LNG terminals in our pipeline. We do not have any project in our pipeline generating revenue currently and have not recognized any revenue to date. Our net losses were $4.7 million, $27.9 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively.

 

We believe that our performance and future success depend on a number of factors that present significant opportunities, but also pose risks and challenges; these include our ability to develop, construct, finance and secure commercial contracts for the LNG terminals in our pipeline, and the other factors discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors”. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and operating losses for at least the next several years associated with our ongoing activities, until we successfully complete our LNG terminals, secure commercial contracts and commence operations.

 

We anticipate the Kakinada and Grangemouth Projects to be operational at the earliest in 2029 and 2027, respectively, and to begin generating revenues around that period, if at all. Major remaining development activities relating to the commencement of operations for these terminals are similar to other large-scale infrastructure projects in the oil and gas sector. They include, but are not limited to: conducting a FEED study, securing and signing all required terminal usage agreements with customers, securing all required regulatory approvals from relevant authorities, structuring the projects to attract any required equity and debt financing, achieving FID, initiating the EPCIC process, and working with partners to construct and commission the terminals.

 

Key Components of Results of Operations

 

We are a development stage company, and our historical results may not be indicative of our future results. Accordingly, the drivers of our future financial results, as well as the components of such results, may not be comparable to our historical or future results of operations.

 

Revenue

 

We do not have any project in our pipeline generating revenue and have not recognized any revenue to date.

 

We are currently developing the Kakinada and Grangemouth Projects. The Kakinada Project is expected to have a capacity of 3 Bcf/d, following a 33-month EPCIC period. The Grangemouth Project will have a capacity of 5 MTPA; however, the FID will require only 2 MTPA capacity booked. Upon completion of the terminals and commencement of operations, we expect the Kakinada and Grangemouth Projects to generate revenues of over $280 million and $160 million per year respectively, assuming a contracted utilization rate of 7.2 MTPA and 3.0 MTPA respectively. Please see the section titled “Information About Crown” for more information.

 

2


 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses consist of employee benefit expenses, other operating expenses, and depreciation and impairment expenses. Consulting fees and project costs related to our project development, audit, and accounting fees are the most significant component of our other operating expenses, which includes seabed surveys expense and payments to consultants.

 

We expect to continue to invest substantial resources to support our growth and anticipate that each of the following categories of operating expenses will increase in absolute dollar amounts for the foreseeable future.

 

Upon completion of the Kakinada and Grangemouth Projects and commencement of operations, we also expect to incur significant additional related expenses, including but not limited to terminal operation expenses, operating insurance costs, land and port charges, general and administrative, and other costs.

 

Employee Benefit Expenses

 

Employee benefit expenses comprise all types of remuneration to personnel employed by the company and are expensed when earned. Employee benefit expenses generally consist of management-for-hire and remuneration to our board of directors. We present fees related to management-for-hire as employee benefit expenses, as such fees are paid to individuals working for the company under our discretion in the same way as individuals who are regarded as employees for legal or tax purposes and where the services rendered are similar to services typically rendered by employees.

 

We expect that employee benefit expenses will increase in the future in connection with the projects advancing with funding, where headcount is expected to expand for development of the projects and for other general and administrative purposes, as well as in connection with increased fees for directors and management for hire.

 

Other Operating Expenses

 

Other operating expenses are recognized when they occur and represent a broad range of operating expenses incurred by us in our day-to-day activities. Other operating expenses mainly consist of consulting fees related to our project development, GBTRON exclusivity fee, audit and accounting fees. Certain board members have provided services to us via their respective consulting companies.

 

We expect to incur additional other expenses as a result of operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and stock exchange listing standards, additional insurance expenses (including directors’ and officers’ insurance), investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.

 

We expect to incur increased costs associated with establishing sales, such as sales and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and commercialization expenses prior to the Company reaching first-gas. Upon completion of the terminals and commencement of operations, we also expect to incur additional related expenses, including but not limited to terminal operation expenses, operating insurance costs, land and port charges, general and administrative, and other costs.

 

For further information about transactions with related parties, see “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — Crown.”

 

Depreciation and Impairment

 

Depreciation and impairment expenses consist primarily of depreciation of our right-of-use assets, which are our lease of office space and lease of office equipment. The lease of office space was terminated in June 2022, after signing a settlement agreement with the lessor. As a result, the right-of-use asset for the lease of office equipment has been impaired and no depreciation expense has been recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

We do not expect to incur significant depreciation or impairment expenses in the near future.

 

With respect to the Kakinada and Grangemouth Projects, we are currently in the development stage and plan to make significant investments in the future relating to our terminals currently under development. If and when such investments are made, we may incur material depreciation expenses and may also be required to record impairment, depending on the circumstances.

 

3


 

Finance Income and Finance Expense

 

Interest income and interest expenses are calculated using the effective interest method. The interest expenses are related to shareholder loans. The loans have been provided during year 2020 and 2021 and settled in September of 2022. A new shareholder loan of $200,000 was issued and drawn down in May 2023, and a further $160,000 was issued and drawn down by December 2023.

 

Foreign currency gains or losses are reported as foreign exchange gain or foreign exchange loss in finance income or finance expense, respectively, except for currency translation effects from translation of foreign subsidiaries and the parent company which are presented within Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”).

 

Finance income and finance expense also include fair value adjustments of the options held by us, the future payment right, the contingent consideration related to warrant exercise, and the Catcha Loan. These various instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss. The instruments are re-measured at each reporting date, and any movements in the fair value are recorded as either a finance income or a finance expense.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

The Group’s operations are only subject to income tax in Norway. Current income tax is measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where we operate and generates taxable income.

 

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits can be utilized.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at each reporting date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

 

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

 

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we have not recognized any tax assets based on the uncertainty related to utilization as a result of cumulative losses.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in USD. The functional currency of each of our entities is principally determined based on the primary currency of the company’s operating expenses and country of residence, which results in the Norwegian krone (“NOK”) being the functional currency of all entities. Upon consolidation, the statements of financial position and statements of operation of all companies with a functional currency other than USD are translated from their functional currencies to the USD. The company’s presentation of our currency is determined as follows:

 

  All assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the statement of financial position date.

 

  All items of income and expense are translated at the average rate of exchange in the month the transaction occurred.

 

4


 

Foreign currency gains or losses are reported as foreign exchange gain or foreign exchange loss in finance income or finance expense, respectively, except for currency translation effects from translation of foreign subsidiaries and the parent company which are presented within OCI.

 

Results of Operations

 

The results of operations presented below should be reviewed in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Report.

 

For a detailed discussion of our financial performance and condition for the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, please refer to our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2024 

 

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated results of operations data for the periods presented (in thousands of USD):

 

Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)   2023     2022  
             
Revenue   $ -     $ -  
Total revenue     -       -  
Employee benefit expenses     (1,780 )     (1,276 )
Other operating expenses     (9,806 )     (6,267 )
Depreciation and impairment     -       (144 )
Total operating expenses     (11,586 )     (7,687 )
Operating loss     (11,586 )     (7,687 )
Finance income     8,163       299  
Finance expenses     (751 )     (23,484 )
Net financial items     7,412       (23,185 )
Loss before tax     (4,174 )     (30,872 )
Income tax benefit     -       2,967  
Loss   $ (4,174 )   $ (27,905 )
                 
Other comprehensive income:                
Items that subsequently will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                
Foreign currency translation                
Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss     -     $ -  
                 
Items that subsequently may be reclassified to profit or loss:                
Foreign currency translation     (34 )     2,046  
Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss     (34 )     2,046  
Other comprehensive income/(loss)     (34 )     2,046  
Total comprehensive loss   $ (4,208 )   $ (25,859 )
                 
Loss attributable to:                
Equity holders of the parent company     (4,170 )     (27,055 )
Non-controlling interests     (4 )     (850 )
                 
Total comprehensive loss attributable to:                
Equity holders of the parent company     (4,203 )     (25,233 )
Non-controlling interests     (5 )     (626 )
                 
Loss per share                
Basic loss per share     (0.05 )     (0.55 )
Diluted loss per share     (0.05 )     (0.55 )

 

5


 

Employee Benefit Expenses

 

Employee benefit expenses increased by $504 thousand, or 39%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to the reversal in the year ended December 31, 2022 of $321 thousand in board renumeration expenses incurred as a result of our board of directors agreeing to waive such renumeration. This offset was not incurred in the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Other Operating Expenses

 

The following table summarizes the other operating expenses for the periods indicated:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Other operating expenses   2023     2022  
Consulting fees   $ (6,150 )   $ (3,365 )
Project costs     (574 )     (791 )
Audit and audit related services     (810 )     (59 )
GBTRON agreement     (1,000 )     (1,706 )
Cash-settled share-based payment     (783 )     -  
Other operating expenses     (490 )     (346 )
Total other operating expenses   $ (9,806 )   $ (6,267 )

 

Total other operating expenses increased by $3.5 million, or 56%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a $2.8 million, or 83% increase in consulting fees. The increase in consulting fees in the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to expenses related to the business combination with Catcha and preparation to become a listed entity.

 

Project costs decreased by $217 thousand, or 27%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to project activities being reduced to a minimum, as the company awaits for financing. Audit and audited related services increased by $751 thousand, or 1,279%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in audit and audit related services in the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to an increase in expenses incurred in preparation to become a listed entity. The GBTRON agreement exclusivity fee decreased by $706 thousand, or 41%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of the exclusivity fee was due to the higher initial fee payable for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

6


 

There was a $783 thousand cash-settled share-based payment expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 and an increase in other operating expenses of $144 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increases were primarily attributable to expenses incurred as a result of hiring additional personnel and additional expenses in preparation to become a listed entity.

 

Depreciation and Impairment

 

Depreciation and impairment expense decreased by $144 thousand, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to the impairment of the right-of-use asset due to the termination of the lease of office equipment in June 2022. No depreciation expense or impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Finance Income

 

Finance income increased by $7.9 million, or 2,630%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a $7.3 million fair value adjustment gain recognized in the year ended December 31, 2023 from our call-option to acquire the number of shares equal to 15% ownership of EAST of $7.3 million during the period from January 1, 2023 to October 24, 2023 when the KGLNG Transaction Agreement became effective and an increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise of $816 thousand.

 

Finance Expense

 

Finance expense decreased by $22.7 million, or 97%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $19.9 million fair value adjustment of financial instrument expense from our call option to acquire the number of shares equal to 15% of the ownership of EAST for the year ended December 31, 2022, while for the year ended December 31, 2023, there was a fair value gain reflected in Finance income.

 

Income Tax Benefit

 

Income tax benefit decreased by $3.0 million, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease is due to the effect of not recognizing deferred tax assets of $9.4 million due to the uncertainty related to utilization for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Foreign currency translation gain in OCI decreased by $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to the relative appreciation of the NOK against the USD during the period, which resulted in net translation loss upon translation of balance sheet items into USD.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Funding Requirements and Going Concern

 

We have incurred operating losses since inception, including net losses of $4.7 million, $27.9 million and $4.2 million, for the years ended 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

We are still in the early stages of development of our projects, and we expect to continue to incur significant expenses including capital expenditures required to develop our operating assets to reach FID, sales and marketing efforts, expansion of our project pipeline, and any delays or encounter issues with any of the above. We also expect to incur additional capital expenditures in the future as we continue to develop and construct our operating assets. We intend to fund such significant capital expenditures via project financing through a mix of debt and equity issuance at the project level, as is common industry practice for such infrastructure projects. Furthermore, we expect to incur additional expenses with transitioning to, and operating as, a public company. Until such time as we can generate substantial revenue and cash flows after our projects commence operations, if ever, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity and debt financing (including with related parties) and other capital sources.

        

7


 

We do not have any projects in our pipeline currently generating revenue and have not recognized any revenue to date. We expect to become operational on our projects between 30 and 37 months after FID has been reached for the projects, and we anticipate our current projects to be operational at the earliest in 2027 for the Grangemouth Project and 2029 for the Kakinada Terminal Project. Once the projects are operational, we expect to begin generating revenues around that period.

 

The Group is forecasting that it will continue to incur significant operating cash outflows to fund the Kakinada Terminal and Grangemouth Projects, as well support the Group’s growth, including but not limited to terminal operation expenses, operating insurance costs, land and port charges, general and administrative and other costs. We will also have long-term debt obligations under the Promissory Notes described in the “Explanatory Note” above and under certain of the other financing arrangements described therein. We will require additional financing to support the operations of the business. The forecast and financial conditions raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern. Crown LNG’s ability to operate as a going concern is principally dependent on the (1) successful completion of the Business Combination, (2) the ability of the Group to secure financing or enter into private placement agreements, subscription agreements, investment agreements, forward purchase agreements or any other forms of agreements with investors to secure additional financing to support the Company’s anchor projects to FID, (3) the ability of the Company to reach the designated FID dates for the projects and 4) the ability of the Group to comply with the listing requirements of the NASDAQ.

 

As a result of the above, there is material uncertainty related to the events or conditions that may cast substantial doubt of the Crown LNG’s ability to continue as a going concern, and therefore, the Group may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or to the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Management believes that it will be able to secure sufficient funding or enter into other financing arrangements in order to finance its projects to reach FID by the designated FID dates. For these reasons, the financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Group is a going concern. Should sufficient funding not be secured from such sources or otherwise or should there be a delay in the timing of securing funds through these funding initiatives, this would have adverse implications for the Group and its shareholders. In these scenarios, the Group will need to seek other options, including delaying or reducing operating and capital expenditures, the possibility of an alternative transaction or fundraising, and in the event that none of these are available, voluntary bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, or dissolution.

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

To date, we have funded our operations primarily with the proceeds from shareholder loans, share based compensation agreements, issuance of debt, shares and warrants, and sales of shares in CIO Investments AS. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $88,000. In the future, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity and debt financings, including with related parties.

 

Shareholder Loans

 

On April 19, 2021, we issued an unsecured loan directed towards shareholders of NOK 8.6 million, which is equivalent to $975,000. The loan was fully subscribed and paid in on April 21, 2021. The loan was fully settled on September 9, 2021. The principal portion of the loan was settled against shares in a subsidiary entity. Additionally, the Group granted the lenders put options and cash consideration, contingent on the Group achieving FID and IPO by June 30, 2024 respectively.

 

On June 21, 2021, we issued an unsecured loan directed towards shareholders of NOK 4.205 million, which is equivalent to $477,000. The loan was fully subscribed and paid in on July 21, 2021. The loan was fully settled on September 9, 2022.

 

On December 21, 2021, we issued an unsecured loan directed towards shareholders of NOK 9.3 million, which is equivalent to $1.1 million. The loan was fully subscribed and paid in on January 11, 2022. The loan was fully settled on September 9, 2022.

 

On May 16, 2023, we entered into a short-term loan agreement with LNG-9 Pte Ltd for $200,000. The loan was drawn down on May 23, 2023. The agreement was amended on June 16, 2023 and increased by an additional $160 thousand. The loan remained outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

On September 27, 2023, Crown entered into short-term Loan Agreements with Black Kite AS, A A Holding AS, Service Invest AS and LNG-9 PTE LTD for the purpose of securing interim funding until the bridge loan was facilitated. The loans amounted to $62,675, with a interest rate of 2% per month. In addition, Crown paid a one-time 2% commitment fee payable together with the first payment of Interest. The loan was settled on October 30, 2023.

 

8


 

Promissory note

 

On October 27, 2023, Catcha and Crown entered into a promissory note whereby Catcha agreed to provide a loan in the principal amount of $750,000 to Crown to fund working capital until the Closing of the Business Combination (the “Catcha Loan”). On October 30, 2023, the $750,000 loan was provided by Catcha to Crown. Crown has agreed to repay Catcha the $750,000 within 10 business days of Catcha providing Crown with written notice of demand after the Closing of the Business Combination. In the event that the BCA is terminated or does not close, the loan agreement regulates how the loan should be repaid which is at the discretion of the lender (i.e., Catcha): (1) $1,750,000 in cash, or (2) $1,000,000 in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s stock equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common shares of stock.

 

The Catcha Loan is measured at fair value based on significant unobservable inputs and has a carrying amount of $954 thousand as of December 31, 2023. The loan remained   outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

Issuance of Warrants

 

In April 2021, we issued a total of 9,390,200 warrants to our shareholders at a subscription price of NOK 0.25, or $0.03, with an exercise price of NOK 6.10, or $0.69, and a final maturity date of April 29, 2024. The purpose of the issuance was to incentivize existing shareholders to purchase shares of our common stock.

 

In February 2023, we agreed with holders of 8,512,070 warrants to convert such warrants into shares for a value of NOK 51.8 million, which is equivalent to $5.2 million. The payment due to us by these holders will be deferred to the successful listing of the public company, and the completion of the relevant lock-up period. At December 31, 2023, the carrying amount of the warrants was $4.2 million and remain outstanding.

 

Sale of Treasury Shares

 

During 2021, we sold treasury shares for proceeds of $1.4 million, for the purpose of securing continued funding of activities related to the Kakinada Project. The shares were sold to both new and existing shareholders, who were primarily based in Norway.

 

Sale of Shares

 

In the first quarter of 2023, we raised NOK 7.1 million, or $0.8 million, in cash against issuance of 1,475,569 shares. The issuance of shares became void due to statutory deadlines for registration of share issuance being exceeded. The capital increase was executed, and the shares were registered on January 30, 2024.

 

In July 2023, we raised NOK 5.3 million, or $0.5 million, by selling 2,525,902 shares in our subsidiary CIO Investments AS. CIO Investments AS is a special investment vehicle holding shares in Crown India AS.

 

Share-Based Compensation Agreements

 

We have entered into service agreements with third party suppliers where the consideration is paid in-kind with shares of our common stock. The service agreements were entered into in January 2022 and will continue until either of the parties terminate the agreement. Fees for services are paid by issuing shares using a conversion rate of NOK 28 per share, or $3.18 per share. The arrangement is accounted for as equity-settled transactions, as the advisors do not have the option to settle in cash.

 

Liability-to-Equity Conversion

 

In April 2021, we entered into agreements with entities controlled by Mr. Swapan Kataria (“Mr. Kataria”) to convert liabilities totaling $15.5 million into 9,868,000 new shares. These liabilities due to Mr. Kataria are related to the costs incurred on our behalf for the approval, licensing and other costs associated with the Kakinada Project, as well as other costs incurred for other projects in our pipeline.

 

Further, in April 2021, we converted an additional $5.6 million of liabilities due to Crown’s senior management team, including Mr. Kataria, Mr. Jørn Husemoen and Mr. Gunnar Knutsen into 4,811,900 new shares, and we converted shareholders loans from external shareholders valued at $500,000 into 907,100 new shares.

 

In September 2022, we settled outstanding shareholder loans valued at NOK 14.3 million, or $1.6 million, by transferring shares without voting rights in our subsidiary, CIO Investments AS. CIO Investments AS is a special investment vehicle holding shares in Crown India AS. In connection with the settlement, we have an obligation to pay an additional NOK 0.68 per share, or $0.08 per share, issued to the lenders under the CIO Loan. In addition, the settlement contains a put-option, pursuant to which each lender may require that Crown acquire the shares in CIO Investments at a strike of NOK 2.444, or $0.28, conditional on final investment decision relating to construction of Kakinada LNG project by June 30, 2024.

 

9


 

In February 2023, we converted a liability of $123,000, owed towards a service provider, to equity by issuing 147,483 new shares.

 

In July 19, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS and Crown LNG India AS entered into an amendment agreement with Emerging Asia Capital Partners Company Limited (EACP), pursuant to which the retainer fees to be paid for financial advisory services is amended to increase from $20 thousand to $80 thousand per month paid in Crown common shares. Additionally, Crown issued a promissory note for the outstanding cash payments due under the original agreement and will issue a promissory note for every month going forward for the services provided under the agreement. The promissory notes are not subject to any interest as per the amended agreement, however, Crown has agreed to pay to EACP a Financing Success Fee equal to 3% on the Equity Financing raised if the source of introduction is from EACP, Crown India AS, Crown LNG Holdings AS, Mr. Kataria, LNG-9 PTE LTD or KGLNG and 1% on the Equity Financing raised if the source is from another party In November 2023, EACP converted its claim as of September 30, 2023 towards the Company into shares at the strike value of NOK 21. The share capital was increased by NOK 3,237.33 by issuance of 323,733 shares, each at a face value of NOK0.01. The total contribution is NOK 6,798,400 ($658 thousand), of which NOK 6,795,163 is share premium.

 

In November 2023, the Company completed a capital increase directed towards market representatives (third-party advisors), whereby the market representatives convert their respective claims towards the Company into shares at the strike value agreed in the respective agreements. The share capital was increased by NOK 16,416.91 by issuance of 1,641,691 shares, each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The consideration per share is NOK 28 (rounded), which entails a share premium per share of NOK 27.99. The total contribution is NOK 45,967,358, of which NOK 45,950,941 is share premium. Further, the agreements continue to run following the debt conversion.

 

Share capital increase

 

On October 24, 2023, the Board of Directors agreed to increase share capital of Crown by NOK 1,375,000 ($123 thousand) by the issuance of new shares, each with a face value of NOK 0.01. The aggregate nominal subscription amount in the share capital increase was NOK 2,887,500,000, or $260 million, of which NOK 1,375,000 is share capital and of which NOK 2,886,125,000 is share premium The share capital increase was carried out by EAST upon subscription. EAST settled its obligation to pay the subscription amount of NOK 2,887,500,000 by set-off of the claim EAST had toward Crown LNG Holdings Promissory Note. Pursuant to the KGLNG Agreement and the KGLNG Conversation Agreement, the Crown Holdings AS Promissory Note shall be converted to shares in the Company. Both the issuance of the promissory note with a face value of NOK 2,887,500,000 as payment for obtaining the future payment right and the subsequent conversion to shares happened on the same date, October 24, 2023.

 

Subsequent Financing Arrangements

 

Shareholder Loan

 

On November 22, 2023, the Board resolved to offer each shareholder in the Company to participate in a shareholder loan, for the purpose of funding the Group’s operational short-term liquidity needs. The loan was made on February 5, 2024 and the subscribed amount totaled $1.4 million. The loan is not subject to any interest unless the Group defaults on its obligations to repay the loan, in which case interest shall accrue on the outstanding amount from the default date until the Group has satisfied its obligation at a rate of 40% of the nominal amount, such interest to be compounded on a monthly basis. The loans to the shareholders will be repayable within five business days of the Business Combination closing date. Further, each shareholder lender is entitled to its pro rata distribution of 2,000,000 shares in PubCo.

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes that were issued upon closing of the Business Combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo ordinary shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

10


 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with a certain accredited investor (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, upon closing of the Business Combination, the Purchaser a purchased an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placements with certain accredited investors who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, upon closing of the Business Combination, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers purchased an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

Securities Lending Agreement

 

On May 22, 2024, PubCo entered into a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with Millennia Capital Partners Limited (the “Lender”) pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million (the “Loan”) at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of 730,000 shares of Crown pledged to the Lender (“Transferred Collateral”). “Loan to Value” means the ratio of the Loan to the value of the Transferred Collateral, calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the fair market value of the Transferred Collateral. The Loan matures thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Lending Agreement) and bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0% to be paid quarterly.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”; together with the April 2024 Notes, the PIPE and the Securities Lending Agreement, the “Financing Agreements”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to $20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”).

 

Convertible Equity

 

The Company entered into Subscription Agreements for the placement of convertible equity with certain current shareholders and investors in the Company in the amount of $150 thousand to support the Group's operational needs through the signing of the BCA. The placement of convertible equity in Crown LNG Holdings AS will be converted to shares in PubCo. After the closing of the BCA and the successful listing of the Group, PubCo will issue new shares at $10/share for the amount subscribed.

 

Vendor Promissory Notes for Fees Deferral  

 

From June 18, 2024 to June 26, 2024, PubCo issued five convertible promissory notes to certain vendors, agreeing to defer payment for services provided (the "Convertible Vendor Notes"). The aggregate principal amount for all Convertible Vendor Notes is $5.0 million, bearing an interest at 12% per annum. The Convertible Vendor Notes provides that twenty to fifty percent of the principal amount is payable within 30 days after the Closing Date, depending on the vendor. The remaining unpaid principal amount for each Convertible Vendor Note shall be increased by 20% and payable in equal installments quarterly subsequent to the Closing Date, from between one year and up to five years, depending on the vendor.

 

In addition, on July 9, 2024, PubCo also issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $3.5 million to another Service Provider to Crown and Catcha, with such amounts representing deferrals of fees owed thereto. Such Promissory Notes bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum, payable quarterly, subject to Crown’s option to defer 50% thereof as paid-in-kind, with principal due thereunder payable at maturity on the 18-month anniversary of the issuance thereof. There is no conversion feature provided for under such Promissory Notes.

 

Share Capital Increases  

 

On June 20, 2024, under the EACP Agreement, EACP converted its claim for the period from October 2023 through May 2024 towards the Group into shares at the strike value of NOK 21. The share capital was increased by NOK 3,196.73 by issuance of 319,673 shares, each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The total contribution is NOK 6,713,152 ($660 thousand), of which NOK 6,709,955 is share premium.

 

On June 20, 2024, the Company completed a capital increase directed towards market representatives (third-party advisors), whereby the market representatives convert their respective claims towards the Group into shares for the period October 2023 through May 2024. The share capital was increased by NOK 5,456.63 by issuance of 545,663 shares each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The consideration per share is NOK 28.00 (rounded) which entails a share premium per share of NOK 27.99. The total contribution is NOK 15,278,704 ($1.5 million) of which NOK 15,273,247 is share premium.

 

Cash Flow Summary

 

For a detailed discussion of our financial performance and condition for the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, please refer to our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-274832), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2024

 

11


 

The following is a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

    For years ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands of US dollar)   2023     2022  
Net cash used in operating activities     (2,923 )     (611 )
Net cash used in investing activities     -       -  
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities     2,976       (47 )
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     53       (658 )

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in our operating activities increased from $611 thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to $2.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. The net increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to an decrease in the net loss for the period before tax of $26.7 million, which is offset by the finance income recognized in the current year of $8.2 million primarily related to the change in fair value of the future payment right as compared to a finance expense of $23.5 million recognized in the prior year related to the call option to acquire 15% of EAST. Further, our payables increased as a result of the preparation to become a listed entity during 2023.

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

No net cash was used in our investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, as Crown   did not engage in any activities resulting in cash flow from investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, as all project related costs in the periods were fully expensed in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

New Cash Provided by/(Used in) Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities changed from $(47) thousand in the year ended December 31, 2022 to $3.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash provided by financing activities primarily consisted of $1.2 million proceeds from short-term loans, $704 thousand proceeds from issuance of shares (non-registered capital increase), $526 thousand proceeds from issuance of shareholder loan, and $499 thousand proceeds from transactions with non-controlling interest.

 

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

 

Agreement with LNG-9 Pte Ltd

 

Crown India Limited entered into a Service Agreement with LNG-9 Pte Ltd on February 26, 2019. Under this agreement, LNG-9 Pte Ltd agreed to advise and assist Crown India Limited regarding, among other responsibilities, assisting Crown India Limited in consummating (1) an Exclusivity Agreement for project development, delivery, and operation & maintenance for the LNG terminal for a minimum of thirty (30) years; (2) Investment Agreement for minority ownership in EAST; and (3) Lease Agreement, including operation & maintenance, between Crown India Limited and KGLNG. As compensation, Crown India Limited paid a retainer of $30,000 per month to LNG-9 Pte Ltd. This retainer was discontinued in the first fiscal quarter of 2023. Additionally, Crown India Limited agreed to pay the following milestone fees: (1) on signing the Exclusivity Agreement for the LNG terminal, $6 million, which may be paid in shares by a conversion, which is based on the valuation used in pre-FID funding with a 20% discount; (2) on signing the Investment Agreement for minority ownership of 15% or more in EAST, $2 million, which may be paid in shares by a conversion, which is based on the valuation used in pre-FID funding with a 20% discount; and (3) on signing the Lease Agreement with KGLNG, $7.8 million, payable at FID 50% paid in cash and 50% in share by shares by a conversion, which is based on the valuation used in FID funding with a 20% discount. The liability is recognized in the financial statements as a cash-settled share-based payment liability and measured based on the probability that it will become payable (probability-adjusted) and discounted with the time value of money.

 

12


 

On March 9, 2023, the parties entered into an Amendment to the Service Agreement for the purposes of waiving the monthly $30,000 retainer as of January 1, 2022 and forgiving accrued fees for the period from January 2022 through December 2022. The retainer fees were forgiven in 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the retainer fee accrued up to December 31, 2021, accrued and is payable subject to the terms of the original agreement.

 

KGLNG Agreement

 

On August 3, 2023, EAST, Crown India AS, Crown, and PubCo entered into the KGLNG Agreement. Prior to the execution of the KGLNG Agreement, (a) EAST owned 99.81% of KGLNG’s share capital and (b) Mr. Swapan Kataria, Crown’s Chief Executive Officer, in turn owned 50% of EAST’s share capital. Subject to the relevant conditions and terms contained therein, the parties agreed to effect the following:

 

(i) Amendment of Exclusivity Agreement. Crown LNG India Limited (formerly known as Asia First Holdings Limited) (“Crown India Limited”), a private company with limited liability incorporated in Hong Kong and a subsidiary of Crown India AS, and EAST amended the exclusivity agreement entered into between them dated June 3, 2020 (as later amended) relating to the development of the Kakinada Project, in order to extend the long stop date for achieving the FID of the Kakinada Project from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2025;

 

(ii) Grant of Future Payment Right. KGLNG Seller granted to KGLNG Buyer the right to receive from KGLNG Seller an amount equal to all future distributions made by KGLNG to its shareholders until the aggregate amount of such distributions equals to $3.266 billion (the “KGLNG Future Payment Right”). In exchange, KGLNG Buyer shall issue a promissory note to KGLNG Seller in the principal amount of $275 million (the “KGLNG FP Promissory Note”). The KGLNG FP Promissory Note shall be transferred by the KGLNG Seller to Crown against the issuance of 137,500,000 new shares of Crown to KGLNG Seller; and

 

(iii) Grant of Option. KGLNG Seller granted to KGLNG Buyer an option (the “KGLNG Option”) to purchase all shares of KGLNG held by KGLNG Seller at an exercise price of $60 million. The KGLNG Option is exercisable by KGLNG Buyer at its discretion, at any time from the completion of the Business Combination to August 3, 2024. Upon the exercise of the KGLNG Option, the exercise price will be settled by the KGLNG Buyer by (a) the issuance of a promissory note in favor of KGLNG Seller in the principal amount of $60 million (“KGLNG Purchase Promissory Note”) and (b) an assumption of KGLNG Seller’s liability under the KGLNG Future Payment Right. Immediately thereafter, KGLNG Seller shall transfer the KGLNG Purchase Promissory Note to PubCo in consideration for the issuance of PubCo Ordinary Shares for an aggregate amount of $60 million based on a per share price equal to 95% of the closing price of PubCo Ordinary Shares on the business day prior to the option exercise. In addition, upon the option exercise, Crown India Limited, EAST and KGLNG will enter into a novation agreement, whereby EAST will transfer all its rights and obligations under the amended Exclusivity Agreement between Crown India Limited and EAST dated August 27, 2020 to KGLNG. The Business Combination is not conditioned upon exercise of the KGLNG Option.

 

GBTRON Agreement

 

On August 3, 2023, GBTRON, Crown, and PubCo entered into the GBTRON Agreement. Prior to the execution of the GBTRON Agreement, Mr. Swapan Kataria, Crown’s Chief Executive Officer, indirectly owned 90% of GBTRON’s share capital. Subject to the relevant conditions and terms contained therein, the parties agreed to effect the following:

 

(i) Amendment of Exclusivity Agreement. GBTRON and Crown amended the Exclusivity Agreement entered into between them dated August 27, 2020 relating to the development of the Grangemouth Project, in order to, among other things, extend the long stop date of the FID for the Grangemouth Project to December 31, 2025;

 

(ii) Asset Transfer. GBTRON will set up NewCo and (b) will transfer certain rights, obligations and assets (“NewCo Assets”) in connection with development of the Grangemouth Project to NewCo (“NewCo Assets Transfer”) upon exercise of the GBTRON Option (as defined below) by Crown; and (iii) Grant of Option.

 

13


 

GBTRON granted to Crown an option (the “GBTRON Option”) to require that GBTRON (a) transfers the NewCo Assets to NewCo and (b) sells all the issued shares of NewCo to Crown at a nominal exercise price of £1 in aggregate. The GBTRON Option is exercisable by Crown, at its discretion, at any time from the completion of the Business Combination to August 3, 2024. Upon the exercise of the GBTRON Option, GBTRON will execute the NewCo Assets Transfer and NewCo will issue a promissory note in favor of GBTRON in the principal amount of $25 million (“NewCo Purchase Promissory Note”) as consideration for the transfer of the NewCo Assets. GBTRON will transfer the shares in NewCo to Crown for a cash consideration of $1.00. Immediately thereafter, the GBTRON shall transfer the NewCo Purchase Promissory Note to PubCo in consideration for the issuance of PubCo Ordinary Shares for an aggregate amount of $25 million based on a per share price equal to 95% of the closing price of PubCo Ordinary Shares on the business day prior to the option exercise. The Business Combination is not conditioned upon exercise of the GBTRON Option.

 

Exclusivity Agreement between Crown and GBTRON

 

Crown and GBTRON entered into an Exclusivity Agreement dated August 27, 2020 relating to the Grangemouth Project. Under this agreement, Crown was granted the exclusive rights to develop, own, and operate the lease of the FSRU to GBTRON. Per the Exclusivity Agreement, as amended by an amendment agreement entered into on August 3, 2023, Crown is obligated to pay (a) $1.5 million by September 30, 2023, (b) $2.5 million by December 31, 2023, and (c) an annual exclusivity fee of $1.0 million starting on December 31, 2023, and until FID of the FSRU.

 

On October 30, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS and GBTRON entered into a second amendment agreement to the Exclusivity Agreement. The following amendments apply (i) the Exclusivity Agreement is valid until the expiry of the Lease Agreement for the FSRU unless terminated, (ii) Crown will pay the first instalment of the initial Exclusivity fee of $1.5 million due at December 31, 2023, (iii) Crown will pay the final instalment of the initial Exclusivity fee of $2.5 million due at December 31, 2023, (iv) Crown will thereafter and in addition pay an annual Exclusivity fee of $1.0 million due first time at December 31, 2023: and annually thereafter and until FID of the FSRU, and (v) Crown can extend payments until February 28, 2024, subject to payment of the monthly extension fee of $160 thousand. As of December 31, 2023, the amount payable to GBTRON is $5.0 million. The parties are currently in discussions to extend the payment terms, and monthly payments have been extended subsequent to February 28, 2024.

 

Exclusivity Agreement between Crown India Limited and EAST

 

Crown India Limited and EAST entered into an Exclusivity Agreement dated June 3, 2020, for the development of the Kakinada deepwater port. Pursuant to this agreement, EAST granted Crown India Limited the exclusive right to develop, operate, own, and lease to EAST the re-gas terminal and sub-sea pipeline being developed under the Kakinada Project, and EAST was obligated to maintain its shareholding of 525,000 shares of the total 526,000 shares in KGLNG. EAST and KGLNG were also restricted from entering any alternative solutions for the development of or relation to the license and/or deepwater port, including all connected licenses and sub-licenses. As per the last amendment, the parties shall endeavor to ensure FID is achieved no later than December 31, 2025. This agreement was amended first on September 9, 2020, then on March 31, 2021, and finally in conjunction with the KGLNG Agreement on August 3, 2023.

 

Engagement of Services of GBTRON Limited by Crown LNG Holding AS, dated January 10, 2022

 

On January 10, 2022, GBTRON Limited was engaged by Crown LNG Holding AS to perform services as an advisor in assisting the company in reaching out to off-takers in the United Kingdom and other countries and tying up the sale of LNG from the project. In consideration for the services, Crown LNG Holding AS agreed to pay the advisor a sign-on fee of GBP 60,000 and a monthly retainer fee of GBP 20,000 invoiced and payable in kind in shares of the company by conversion of the fees. Additionally, the engagement letter provided that such fees should be paid in kind, using a conversion rate of NOK 28 per share.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 31, 2023, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements are comprised of the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, financial position, cash flows, changes in equity and related notes.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for an option to purchase 15 % of the outstanding shares in EAST, the future payment right, the option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG, the option to acquire GBTRON, the Catcha Loan, contingent consideration related to warrants exercise, and provisions for cash-settled share-based payments which are measured at fair value as described below.

 

14


 

Share-Based Payments

 

We have engaged third-party suppliers and related parties to deliver marketing and advisory services on a “stand-ready” basis in connection with the Kakinada Terminal Project. In consideration for the services received, we have agreed to pay the suppliers a fixed sign-on fee comprising three months service in addition to a monthly retainer fee. The consideration for the services is paid in-kind with shares of our common stock. The transaction is accounted for as an equity settled arrangement and recorded in other operating expenses at fair value of the services received with a corresponding entry directly in equity.

 

We have also entered into a consultancy service agreement with LNG-9, a related party of Crown, in which the delivery of set milestones related to signing of target contracts will entitle the advisor to a fixed fee contingent on the company reaching FID, and with settlement in either shares or cash. The arrangement is accounted for as a cash-settled liability transaction, as we have an intent and economic compulsion to settle in cash. For further information about the fair value measurement of cash-settled liabilities, refer to “Fair Value Measurement” below.

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

Management has assessed that the fair values of cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables, trade payables and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments and the current risk-free interest rates.

 

Instruments associated with EAST and KGLNG

 

The fair values of the call-option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST, option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG and a future payment right are derived from the estimated value of KGLNG as the sole asset of EAST. To estimate the fair value of KGLNG, the income approach was used, which takes into consideration the enterprise value based on a discounted cash flow model. Since the three instruments are linked and all relate to the same underlying value, the assessment and measurement was performed as if they were one instrument.

 

To appropriately adjust for the risk, two approaches have been applied for which the mid-point of the two calculated values has been used to determine the fair value. The first approach utilizes a discount rate on the fair value of KGLNG using an early stage required return of 35%, assumed to represent the required rate of return for an investor, e.g., a VC fund, given the current state of the Company. The second approach utilizes an overall probability-weighted best estimate by applying a reduction of 35% to the post-money FID valuation, which is reflective of the risk of not reaching FID.

 

The valuation is subject to uncertainty because it is measured based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore designated as a Level 3 fair value instrument. The unobservable inputs include, but are not limited to, the terminal fee, the regasification price, capacity factor, the discount rate (WACC), Venture Capital discount rate, and probability of reaching FID. If factors change and different assumptions are used, other finance (expense)/income could be materially different.

 

Up until October 24, 2023, the fair value of only the call option to acquire 15% of EAST was considered with any changes in the fair value being recognized in finance income (expense) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Upon the acquisition of the future payment rights and the option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG, the call option to acquire 15% of EAST still exists, however management assesses the fair value of these three instruments as they were one instrument (labled “future payments rights” in the consolidated financial statements), due to the fact that they are related to the same underlying value to avoid double counting and arbitrary allocations.

 

For further details on the instruments associated with EAST and KGLNG, refer to note 8.5 and 8.7 of Crown’s consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2023.

 

Fair value of Contingent Consideration related to Warrant Exercise on January 9, 2023

 

The fair value is calculated using two methods, where the first approach utilizes an early-stage company discount rate and the second approach utilizes a probability weighted approach based on a probability of achieving an IPO discounted using a risk-free rate. The fair value is estimated as the mid-point value of the two calculated values. The valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as a level 3 fair value instrument. Significant assumptions applied in the computation of the fair value include the probability of IPO and the early-stage discount rate of 35%. For further details on the contingent consideration related to warrant exercise and management judgements applied, refer to note 2.5 and note 8.5 of Crown’s consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2023.

 

15


 

Fair Value of Convertible Shareholder Loans

 

In September 2022, the Group underwent a debt restructuring in which part of the shareholder loans were settled against shares in a subsidiary entity of the Group. As compensation, the lenders were also offered put options and cash consideration, contingent upon the Group achieving FID and IPO by June 30, 2024. The fair value of this new loan is based on a discounted cash flow approach and measured using significant unobservable inputs such as own non-performance risk, hence, accordingly designated as Level 3. The computation of the gain or loss also takes into account the fair value of the put option and cash consideration, and the fair value of the issued shares. For further details on the convertible shareholder loans and management judgements applied, refer to note 8.2 and note 2.3 of Crown’s consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2023.

 

Fair Value of Cash-Settled Liabilities

 

Our cash-settled liabilities are measured initially at their fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. Management has assessed that if the transaction allows for the choice of settlement, the intent is to settle in cash and settlement in cash is often the preferred method for the counterparty. Currently, the Group does not have sufficient liquidity to settle in cash, however, the fees are payable only when the Group achieves certain milestones, at which point, the Group is expected to have adequate funds to settle in cash. To calculate the fair value, management applies a probability-weighted approach when estimating the fair value of the liability, by taking into account the probability, and timing, of FID into the calculation.

 

Fair value of contingent consideration related to warrants exercise

 

In 2023, the Group offered to replace all outstanding warrants with new shares. In order to subscribe to the shares, the warrant holders agreed to pay an additional consideration of NOK 6.09 per share contingent on the Company completing an IPO. The additional consideration receivable from the shareholders is accounted for as a financial asset at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value is computed using two methods, where the first approach utilizes an early-stage company discount rate and the second approach uses a probability weighted approach based on a probability of achieving an IPO, discounted using a risk-free rate. The fair value is estimated as the mid-point value of the two calculated values. Refer to note 2.2 in Crown’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023.

 

Fair Value of Catcha Loan

 

Crown and Catcha entered into a promissory note whereby Catcha agreed to provide the Catcha Loan in the principal amount of $750 thousand to Crown to fund the working capital until the closing of the BCA. The Catcha Loan of $750,000 is repayable within 10 business days after the Closing of the BCA. In the event that the BCA is terminated or does not close, the loan agreement regulates how the loan should be repaid which is at the discretion of the lender (i.e., Catcha): (1) $1.75 million in cash, or (2) $1.0 million in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s stock equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common shares of stock. Each repayment option was assessed with a probability assigned to each potential outcome to calculate the fair value of the Catcha Loan. As there was no change in the probabilities assigned to each option no changes in the fundraising and market conditions of Crown from October 27, 2023 to December 31, 2023, the same discount rate was then applied to calculate the fair value based on the probability-weighted outcomes as of December 31, 2023. The valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 fair value instrument. For further details on the Catcha loan, refer to note 8.5 and 2.5 of Crown’s consolidated financial statement as of December 31, 2023.

 

Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election

 

Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts “emerging growth companies” from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Business Combination Agreement, we expect to be an emerging growth company at least through the second quarter of 2025 and will have the benefit of the extended transition period. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

 

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

Certain new accounting standards, amendments to accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the December 31, 2023 reporting periods. We intend to adopt relevant new and amended accounting standards and interpretations when they become effective. We have not early adopted any standards, interpretations or amendments that have been issued but not yet effective. The standards, amendments or interpretations that are expected to have a material impact on us are discussed below.

 

16


 

Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 – Disclosure of accounting policies

 

Crown has adopted Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgments which were effective January 1, 2023. The amendments to IAS 1 require companies to disclose their material accounting policy information rather than their significant accounting policies. The amendments to IFRS Practice Statement 2 provide guidance on how to apply the concept of materiality to accounting policy disclosures. The amendments have had an impact on Crown’s disclosures of accounting policies, but not on the measurement, recognition or presentation of any items in Crown’s financial statements.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to a variety of market risks, including currency risk, liquidity risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk, as set out below. We manage and monitor these exposures to ensure appropriate measures are implemented in a timely and effective manner. Save as disclosed below, we did not hedge or consider it necessary to hedge any of these risks.

 

Currency Risk

 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. Our exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the company’s provisions, of which 100% is set to be paid in USD. Payment of these provisions are dependent on FID-funding related to the Kakinada Project. We are also exposed to currency risk related to a contingent cash consideration and put option (contingent on IPO and FID before June 30, 2024, respectively), which are features included in the modified shareholder loan agreement entered into in 2022. These are however not yet recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position, but they may have an effect on cash flows in the future.

 

The following table demonstrate the sensitivity to a reasonable possible change in USD exchange rates with all other variables held constant.

 

Foreign currency sensitivity   Date   Change in
FX rate
    Effect on Profit
before tax
  Effect on equity
Increase / decrease in NOK/USD   December 31, 2023     +/-10 %   (734) / 734   (734) / 734
Increase / decrease in NOK/USD   December 31, 2022     +/-10 %   (935) / 935   (935) / 935

 

The sensitivity analysis is based on booked amounts of financial instruments and does not include the consideration of contingent cash consideration and put options.

 

17


 

Liquidity Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. We, being a start-up company in a highly capital-intensive market, are significantly exposed to liquidity risk. To reduce our liquidity risk, management has been working on raising capital for us. This process has included debt conversions and direct capital contributions from the existing shareholders during 2021, 2022 and 2023. We plan to use the proceeds from the financing arrangements described under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources of Liquidity—Subsequent Financing Arrangements” above to fund ongoing anchor projects to FID. We estimate that the remaining capital needs to reach FID for our anchor projects to be approximately $40 million.

 

In relation to vendors necessary to deliver services to the projects, management is focusing on a strategy to limit price risks, and therefore most of our significant contracts utilize fixed price arrangements to ensure satisfactory liquidity budgeting of our resources.

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet our obligations under a financial instrument or contract leading to a financial loss. We believe our exposure to credit risk is limited, as our receivables mainly relate to VAT receivables towards the Norwegian tax authorities and cash in large financial institutions.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. Our exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates are limited, as we have cash in low interest bank accounts and do not have any external financing with floating interest rates.

 

 

18

 

EX-15.3 11 ea020814101ex15-3_crown.htm CONSENT OF KPMG AS, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Exhibit 15.3

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the shell company report on Form 20-F of Crown LNG Holdings Limited of our report dated July 15, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Statement by Experts” in the shell company report on Form 20-F.

 

Oslo, Norway

 

/s/ KPMG AS

 

July 15, 2024

 

 

 

EX-15.4 12 ea020814101ex15-4_crown.htm CONSENT OF MARCUM LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

Exhibit 15.4

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Shell Company Report of Crown LNG Holdings Limited on Form 20-F of our report dated June 17, 2024, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to Catcha Investment Corp’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the financial statements of Catcha Investment Corp as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Catcha Investment Corp for the year ended December 31, 2023. We were dismissed as auditors on July 9, 2024. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Statement by Experts” in the Shell Company Report on Form 20-F.

 

/s/ Marcum LLP

 

Marcum LLP

 

New York, NY

July 15, 2024

 

EX-15.5 13 ea020814101ex15-5_crown.htm FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

Exhibit 15.5

 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 688) 1
Balance Sheets 2
Statements of Operations 3
Statements of Changes in Shareholders Deficit 4
Statements of Cash Flows 5
Notes to Financial Statements 6

 

 


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Catcha Investment Corp

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Catcha Investment Corp (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Explanatory Paragraph - Going Concern

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company’s business plan is dependent on the completion of the business combination and the Company’s cash and working capital as of December 31, 2023 are not sufficient to complete its planned activities for a reasonable period of time, which is considered to be one year from the issuance date of the financial statements. The business combination agreement has a termination date of June 28, 2024. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete the business combination by June 28, 2024 or by the Company’s extended liquidation date of August 17, 2024. If the Company does not complete a business combination by August 17, 2024, it will be required to liquidate. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits 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/ Marcum LLP

 

Marcum LLP

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor from 2020 to 2024.

 

New York, NY

June 17, 2024

 

1


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

BALANCE SHEETS

 

    December 31,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
Assets            
Cash   $ 30,850     $ 20,706  
Prepaid expenses     10,161       33,875  
Note receivable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       -  
Derivative asset - Note Receivable, at fair value     2,689,364       -  
Total current assets     3,480,375       54,581  
                 
Cash and investments held in Trust Account     24,782,259       304,086,289  
Total Assets   $ 28,262,634     $ 304,140,870  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 5,777,552     $ 599,443  
Due to Related Party     241,366       125,625  
Convertible Promissory Note, at fair value     491,502       -  
Working Capital Loan, at fair value     675,934       -  
Note payable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       -  
Derivative Liability - Note Payable, at fair value     2,689,364       -  
Capital Contribution Note, at fair value     2,200,291       -  
Total current liabilities     12,826,009       725,068  
                 
Warrant liability     621,969       68,660  
Deferred underwriting fees     -       10,500,000  
Total liabilities     13,447,978       11,293,728  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies                
                 
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, 2,214,859 and 30,000,000 shares at redemption value of $11.19 and $10.14 per share as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively     24,782,259       304,086,289  
                 
Shareholders’ Deficit:                
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding     -       -  
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding (excluding 2,214,859 and 30,000,000 shares subject to possible redemption, respectively) at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively     -       -  
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 7,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively     750       750  
Additional paid-in capital     -       -  
Accumulated deficit     (9,968,353 )     (11,239,897 )
Total shareholders’ deficit     (9,967,603 )     (11,239,147 )
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit   $ 28,262,634     $ 304,140,870  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

2


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2023     2022  
Formation and operating costs   $ 6,741,998     $ 1,227,252  
Loss from operations     (6,741,998 )     (1,227,252 )
                 
Other income (expenses):                
Interest income from Trust Account     2,774,613       4,001,686  
Interest income - note receivable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       -  
Interest expense - note payable, net of original issuance discount     (750,000 )     -  
Excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance     (1,059,720 )     -  
Change in fair value of Convertible Promissory Note     (118,117 )     -  
Change in fair value of Working Capital Loan     (133,205 )     -  
Change in fair value of Capital Contribution Note     (840,571 )     -  
Other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fees allocated to offering costs     482,662       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (553,309 )     8,841,922  
Gain on initial recognition of Derivative Asset - Note Receivable     1,917,828       -  
Change in fair value of Derivative Asset - Note Receivable     21,536       -  
Loss on initial recognition of fair value of Derivative Asset - Note Payable     (1,917,828 )     -  
Change in fair value of Derivative Liability - Note Payable     (21,536 )     -  
Total other income (expenses), net     552,353       12,843,608  
                 
Net (loss) income   $ (6,189,645 )   $ 11,616,356  
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, redeemable Class A ordinary shares, subject to possible redemption     5,792,672       30,000,000  
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.31  
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, non-redeemable Class B ordinary shares     7,500,000       7,500,000  
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.31  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

3


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

    Class A
Ordinary Shares
    Class B
Ordinary Shares
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Deficit  
Balance as of December 31, 2021           -     $       -       7,500,000     $ 750     $        -     $ (18,854,567 )   $ (18,853,817 )
Accretion of interest income to Class A shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)     -       -       -       -       -       (4,001,686 )     (4,001,686 )
Net income     -       -       -       -       -       11,616,356       11,616,356  
Balance as of December 31, 2022     -       -       7,500,000       750       -       (11,239,897 )     (11,239,147 )
Excess of proceeds from Convertible Promissory Note and Working Capital Loan over fair value at issuance (Note 5)     -       -       -       -       -       1,043,464       1,043,464  
Accretion of extension deposits to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)     -       -       -       -       -       (825,000 )     (825,000 )
Derecognition of deferred underwriting fee (Note 10)     -       -       -       -       -       10,017,338       10,017,338  
Accretion of interest income to Class A shares subject to possible redemption     -       -       -       -       -       (2,774,613 )     (2,774,613 )
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (6,189,645 )     (6,189,645 )
Balance as of December 31, 2023     -     $ -       7,500,000     $ 750     $ -     $ (9,968,353 )   $ (9,967,603 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

4


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2023     2022  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:            
Net (loss) income   $ (6,189,645 )   $ 11,616,356  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:                
Interest income from Trust Account     (2,774,613 )     (4,001,686 )
Interest income - note receivable, net of original issuance discount     (750,000 )     -  
Interest expense - note payable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       -  
Excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance     1,059,720       -  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     553,309       (8,841,922 )
Change in fair value of Convertible Promissory Note     118,117       -  
Change in fair value of Working Capital Loan     133,205       -  
Change in fair value of Capital Contribution Note     840,571       -  
Other income attributable to derecognition of deferred underwriting fee allocated to offering costs     (482,662 )     -  
Change in fair value of Derivative Asset - Note Receivable     (21,536 )     -  
Change in fair value of Derivative Liability - Note Payable     21,536       -  
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:                
Prepaid expenses     23,714       8,080  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     5,178,109       125,189  
Due to related party     115,741       119,625  
Net cash used in operating activities     (1,424,434 )     (974,358 )
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:                
Cash deposited in Trust Account     (825,000 )     -  
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account in connection with redemption     282,903,643       -  
Advances to Crown under Note Receivable     (750,000 )     -  
Net cash provided by investing activities     281,328,643       -  
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from issuance of Working Capital Loan ($1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note as disclosed in Note 1)     1,134,578       -  
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Promissory Note (Extension Note as disclosed in Note 5)     825,000       -  
Proceeds from issuance of Capital Contribution Note (subscription agreement with Polar as disclosed in Note 7)     300,000       -  
Proceeds from issuance of Note Payable (subscription agreement with Polar as disclosed in Note 8)     750,000       -  
Payment of class A ordinary shares redemption     (282,903,643 )     -  
Net cash used in financing activities     (279,894,065 )     -  
                 
Net Change in Cash     10,144       (974,358 )
Cash - Beginning     20,706       995,064  
Cash, end of the period   $ 30,850     $ 20,706  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:                
Excess of proceeds from Convertible Promissory Notes over fair value at issuance (Note 5)   $ 1,043,464     $ -  
Derecognition of deferred underwriting fee (Note 10)   $ 10,017,338     $ -  
Accretion of interest income to Class A shares subject to possible redemption   $ 2,774,613     $ 4,001,686  
Accretion of extension deposits to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)   $ 825,000     $ -  
Gain on initial recognition of fair value of Derivative Asset - Note Receivable   $ 1,917,828     $ -  
Loss on initial recognition of Derivative Liability - Note Payable   $ (1,917,828 )   $ -  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

5


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATION AND GOING CONCERN

 

Organization and General

 

Catcha Investment Corp (the “Company”) was incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on December 17, 2020. The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (the “Business Combination”).

 

The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through December 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation, the Initial Public Offering (as defined below), and after the Initial Public Offering, searching for a Business Combination target, the negotiation of the Business Combination Agreement described below and subsequent amendments thereto, and the preparation and filing on October 3, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Business Combination ( the “Form F-4”). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and investments held in the trust account established at the consummation of the Initial Public Offering (the “Trust Account”) from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering and will recognize changes in the fair value of warrant liability, Convertible Promissory Notes, the Capital Contribution Note and fair value changes of the Derivative Asset - Note Receivable, and Derivative Liability - Note Payable (which are all described further in Notes 2 and 8) as other income (expense). The Company has selected December 31 as Its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s sponsor is Catcha Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).

 

Financing

 

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”). On February 17, 2021, the Company consummated the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering” or “IPO”) of 30,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary shares included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), including the issuance of 2,500,000 Units as a result of the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit generating gross proceeds of $300,000,000, which is described in Note 3. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Each whole warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the IPO (i.e., February 17, 2021), and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation (see Note 3).

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of an aggregate of 5,333,333 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per warrant in a private placement to the Company’s Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $8,000,000, which is described in Note 4.

 

6


 

Following the closing of the IPO on February 17, 2021, an amount of $300,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and was invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ( the “Investment Company Act”), that invests only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account will be maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any, the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and subject to the requirements of law and regulation, provide that the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust Account will not be released from the Trust Account (1) to the Company, until the completion of the initial Business Combination, or (2) to the Company’s public shareholders, until the earliest of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholders properly elected to redeem, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of its Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company does not complete the initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Combination Period”) or during any extended time in which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination beyond the aforementioned period as a result of a shareholder vote to amend the third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (an “Extension Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) the redemption of the Company’s public shares if the Company has not consummated its Business Combination within the Combination Period, subject to applicable law. On February 14, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, at which the Company’s shareholders approved, among other things, a proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors. On February 16, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below) agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024. On May 15, 2024, pursuant to the third extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association was amended to provide the Company’s board of directors the ability to extend the date by which the Company must (1) consummate an initial business combination, (2) cease its operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete such business combination, and (3) redeem all of the Company’s then outstanding Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering that was consummated on February 17, 2021 from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024. On May 21, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. On June 11, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024 (See Note 12).

 

Transaction costs related to the IPO amounted to $17,031,183, consisting of $6,000,000 of underwriting fees, $10,500,000 of deferred underwriting fees (see Note 9), and $531,183 of other offering costs. Of the $17,031,183 transaction costs, $16,236,137 was charged to additional paid-in capital and $795,046 was allocated to the public and private warrants and recorded as other income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

On August 10, 2023, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), the underwriter in the IPO, waived its entitlement to payment of the $10,500,000 deferred underwriting fee in connection with its role as underwriter in the Company’s IPO. As a result, the Company recognized $482,662 of other income attributable to the derecognition of deferred underwriting fees allocated to offering costs previously expensed and $10,017,338 was recorded to accumulated deficit in relation to the waiver of the deferred underwriting fees in the accompanying financial statements.

 

Initial Business Combination

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

7


 

The Company will provide its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of the initial Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion.

 

The shareholders will be entitled to redeem their shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. The amount in the Trust Account was initially $10.00 per public share.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, or during the Extension Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. On February 14, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “First Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved (i) an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors and (ii) an amendment to the Company’s investment management trust agreement, dated as of February 11, 2021 (the “IMTA”), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, by extending on a monthly basis. Following such approval by the Company’s shareholders, the Company and CST entered into the Amendment No. 1 to the IMTA on February 14, 2023.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the First Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of 27,785,141 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.18 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $282,903,643. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 23, 2023.

 

From February 2023 to December 2023, the Company deposited eleven tranches of $75,000, for an aggregate of $825,000, into the Trust Account, to extend the date that the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to January 17, 2024. In January 2024, the Company deposited another $75,000 into the Trust Account, to extend the date that the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to February 17, 2024. All these deposits were made by proceeds received from the Sponsor under the Extension Note as discussed below.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Second Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024, or May 17, 2024, subject to the Sponsor or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees (the “Lender”), will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender and (ii) an amendment to the Company’s IMTA to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination up to three times for one month each from February 17, 2024 to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024 or May 17, 2024 (the “IMTA Amendment No.2”). On February 16, 2024, Catcha and Continental entered into the IMTA Amendment No.2.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Second Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of an additional 641,303 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.29 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $7,241,004. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 23, 2024. As a result, 1,573,556 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $17.8 million were still outstanding after redemption.

 

On each of February 22, 2024, March 21, 2024 and April 19, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Company deposited $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Third Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024 (hereinafter, the “Extended Termination Date”), subject to that the Lender will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender.

 

8


 

In connection with the votes taken at the Third Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on May 15, 2024, holders of an additional 208,674 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.52 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $2,403,928. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on May 20, 2024. As a result, 1,364,882 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $15.7 million were still outstanding after the redemption.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $122,839 (the “2024 Extension Note No. 2”) to the Sponsor. The Note does not bear interest and matures upon closing of the Business Combination. If the Company completes the proposed Business Combination, it will repay the amounts loaned under the promissory notes or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory notes into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor at the time of the Company’s initial public offering. If the Company does not complete the proposed Business Combination by the final applicable Extended Termination Date, such promissory notes will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account.

 

On May 24, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Company deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to June 17, 2024.

 

On May 10, 2024, the Company determined to postpone its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders relating to shareholder approval of the Company’s entry into a Business Combination Agreement and a related Merger and Plan of Merger (the “Business Combination Meeting”), from the previously scheduled date of May 15, 2024 to June 12, 2024.

 

On February 20, 2024, the Company received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist Catcha’s Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a Business Combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its Initial Public Offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement.

 

On February 23, 2024, the Company submitted a written request to NYSE asking for the review of the delisting determination by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the Exchange. Up to the date the financial statements were issued, the Company’s Class A ordinary shares have not been suspended and will continue to trade.

 

The Company has an NYSE appeal hearing scheduled for July 17, 2024.

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”) and public shares in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of its Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its public shares if the Company does not complete the Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO or during the Extension Period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of its Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares and public shares they hold if the Company fails to consummate the Business Combination within the Combination Period or during the Extension Period.

 

In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the Company to consummate a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay the Company’s tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriter of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, the Company has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has the Company independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and the Company believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company. Therefore, the Company cannot assure that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of the Company’s officers or directors will indemnify the Company for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

 

9


 

Business Combination Agreement

 

On August 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (“Crown”), Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (“PubCo”), and CGT Merge II Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Merger Sub”).

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth therein, (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving company and becoming the wholly owned subsidiary of PubCo, as a result of which (a) each of the Company’s Class A ordinary share and Class B ordinary share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “Merger Effective Time”) shall automatically be cancelled and cease to exist in exchange for the right to receive one newly issued ordinary share of PubCo, and (b) each Company warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall cease to be a warrant with respect to the Company’s ordinary shares and be assumed by PubCo and converted into a warrant to purchase one ordinary share of PubCo; and (ii) subject to the certain procedures and conditions, Crown shareholders will transfer their Crown shares to PubCo in exchange for their Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the Exchange Consideration (as defined below). The “Exchange Consideration” is a number of newly issued ordinary shares of PubCo equal to (a) a transaction value of $600 million divided by (b) a per share price of $10.00. “Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to each Crown shareholder, a fraction expressed as a percentage equal to (i) the number of Crown shares held by such Crown shareholder immediately prior to the effective time of the exchange (the “Exchange Effective Time”), divided by (ii) the total number of issued and outstanding Crown shares immediately prior to the Exchange Effective Time.

 

During the seven years following the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the persons who are Crown shareholders immediately prior to the Exchange Effective Time and who have participated in the Exchange shall have the contingent right to receive in the aggregate a number of ordinary shares of PubCo equivalent to 10% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of PubCo as of the Closing (the “Earnout Shares”), which will vest upon achievement of certain share prices and milestones as provided under the Business Combination Agreement. On October 2, 2023, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to delete the provisions with regards to the Earnout Shares in their entirety.

 

On January 31, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to (i) remove the closing condition in Section 9.2(f) of the Business Combination Agreement which would have required the Company to have satisfied the minimum cash condition of at least US$20,000,000 and (ii) allow for listing of the PubCo ordinary shares on either the NYSE or Nasdaq.

 

On February 14, 2024, the SEC declared the registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Business Combination effective.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024, In addition, the Company agreed to waive its right under its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to withdraw up to $100,000 of the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account to pay dissolution expenses in the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account.

 

On May 21, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 17, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination. The non-solicitation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement were amended to expire on May 31, 2024, unless Crown has received notice that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination on Nasdaq, NYSE American or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown.

 

On June 11, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 28, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

On June 12, 2024, Catcha held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting”) pursuant to which the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown. In connection with the votes taken at this Extraordinary General Meeting, Catcha has received elections from certain holders of our Class A ordinary shares to exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash. As of the date of these financial statements, such elections are still within the time frame when such requests can be rescinded; thus the final redemption payout has not yet been determined.

 

The Business Combination Agreement may be terminated under certain customary circumstances at any time prior to the Closing, including, without limitation, (i) upon the mutual written consent of the Company and Crown, (ii) by either the Company or Crown, if any of the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived by May 17, 2024, (iii) by the Company, on the one hand, or Crown, on the other hand, as a result of certain material breaches by the counterparties to the Business Combination Agreement that remain uncured after any applicable cure period, (iv) by either the Company or Crown, if a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order or taken any other action permanently prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, (v) by the Company, on the one hand, or Crown, on the other hand, as a result of the failure by the counterparties to obtain approvals required for the Business Combination, and (vi) by the Company, if there has been a material adverse effect on each of Crown and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

 

10


 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $30,850 in cash outside of the Trust Account and working capital deficit of $9,345,634.

 

On December 13, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (see Note 5) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $1,500,000 (the “$1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note”) from the Sponsor. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $1,134,578 in principal outstanding under such note, with a fair value of $675,934. As of the issuance date of these financial statements, the Company received a total of $1,431,995 principal for working capital purposes under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note.

 

On February 14, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Extension Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $900,000 (the “Extension Loan”) from the Sponsor. Using these loans received, the Company deposited twelve tranches of $75,000, totaling $900,000, into the Trust Account from February 2023 to January 2024, to extend the date by which the Company must complete a Business Combination to February 14, 2024.

 

On March 9, 2023, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “March 2023 Subscription Agreement”) with the Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”), pursuant to which Polar has agreed to provide $300,000 to the Company (the “Capital Contribution Note”) as discussed in Note 7. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had received the entire $300,000 funding under such note (see Note 6).

 

On March 27, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Extension Note No. 1”), dated as of February 17, 2024, to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $141,620.04 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 1”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through May 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $47,206.68 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $141,620.04 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1).

 

On March 29, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Convertible Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $500,000 from the Sponsor for working capital purposes. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the Private Placement Warrants. The loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note).

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued the 2024 Extension Note No. 2 to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $122,839.38 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 2”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through August 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $40,946.46 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $122,839.38 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2).

 

On February 22, 2024, March 21, 2024 and April 19, 2024, the sponsor deposited three tranches of $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024. On May 23, 2024, the sponsor deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to June 17, 2024.

 

11


 

In addition, in order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company additional funds as may be required. Management will use these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating a Business Combination. No additional funding has been received under this arrangement. However, management expects the Company to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of the consummation of a Business Combination and current funds, committed or otherwise, may not be sufficient to operate the Company for at least the 12 months following the issuance of the financial statements contained herein. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of a Business Combination.

 

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic (“ASC”) 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by August 17, 2024 (subject to the Company making the required monthly deposits of $40,946 to extend the date by which to consummate the Business Combination each month up through August 17, 2024) or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The mandatory liquidation, subsequent dissolution and the liquidity issues described above raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern one year from the date that these 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 August 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management is currently evaluating the impact of persistent inflation and rising interest rates, financial market instability, including the recent bank failures, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and certain geopolitical events, including the current wars, and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the risks and uncertainties related to or resulting from these events could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or the closing of the Business Combination, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these risks and uncertainties.

 

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply on on-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the 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.

 

12


 

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had $30,850 and $20,706 in cash and did not have any cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account

 

In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account are now maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation. Prior to liquidating the money market funds, the Company’s portfolio of investments was comprised primarily of U.S. Treasury securities. The Company classified its money market funds as trading securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320, “Investments-Debt Securities.” Trading securities are presented on the balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities is included in interest income from Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the assets held in the Trust Account were $24,782,259 and $304,086,289.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company could be exposed to significant risks on the funds held in trust account.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”), 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. ASC 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 certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheets. The fair values of prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and due to related party are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the short maturities of such instruments.

 

Offering Costs Associated with IPO

 

The Company complies with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs - SEC Materials,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of underwriting fees, professional fees and registration fees that are related to the IPO. FASB ASC 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options,” addresses the allocation of proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt into its equity and debt components. The Company applies this guidance to allocate IPO proceeds from the Units between Class A ordinary shares and warrants, using the residual method by allocating IPO proceeds first to fair value of the warrants and then the Class A ordinary shares.

 

Offering costs in the aggregate of $16,236,137 were charged to shareholders’ equity (deficit) (consisting of $5,724,193 in underwriting fees, $10,017,338 in deferred underwriting fees, and $494,606 in other offering costs), and offering costs in the aggregate of $795,046 were recorded as other income (loss) (consisting of $275,807 in underwriting fees, $482,662 in deferred underwriting fees, and $36,577 in other offering costs) during the three months ended March 31, 2021. On August 10, 2023, the underwriter waived its entitlement to the deferred underwriting fees, see Note 10.

 

13


 

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

 

The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including Class A 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, Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, all ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of the Company’s balance sheets.

 

In connection with the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on February 14, 2023, holders of 27,785,141 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.18 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $282,903,643, which includes interest of $5,052,233.

 

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Class A ordinary shares reflected in the balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:

 

    Shares     Amount  
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2021     30,000,000     $ 300,084,603  
Add: Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption     -       4,001,686  
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2022     30,000,000       304,086,289  
Add: Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption     -       2,774,613  
Add: Accretion of extension deposit to Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption     -       825,000  
Less: Class A ordinary shares redeemed, including interest     (27,785,141 )     (282,903,643 )
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2023     2,214,859     $ 24,782,259  

 

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

The Company elected to account for the Convertible Promissory Notes (which includes the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Note) entered into with the Sponsor pursuant to the fair value option under ASC 825. ASC 825-10-15-4 provides for the “fair value option” election, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by ASC 825-10-15-5, to be afforded to financial instruments, wherein the financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. Differences between the face value of the Convertible Promissory Notes and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the statement of operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Any material changes in the estimated fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes are recognized as non-cash gains or losses in the statements of operations. The Company believes that the fair value option better reflects the underlying economics of the Convertible Promissory Notes. As such, the Convertible Promissory Notes were initially measured at $916,114 as of the issue dates (including $542,729 under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and $373,385 under the Extension Note). For the year ended December 31, 2023, $1,043,464 excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statements of shareholders’ deficit. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes was $675,934 under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the fair value of the convertible promissory note was $491,502 under the Extension Note, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $118,117 attributable to the change in fair value of the Convertible Promissory Note and an unrealized loss of $133,205 attributable to the change in fair value of the Working Capital Loan, respectively, in the statements of operations.

 

Capital Contribution Note

 

The Company elected to account for the Capital Contribution Note entered into with Polar and the Sponsor (the March 2023 Subscription Agreement) on March 9, 2023, pursuant to the fair value option under ASC 825. ASC 825-10-15-4 provides for the “fair value option” election, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by ASC 825-10-15-5, to be afforded to financial instruments, wherein the financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. Differences between the face value of the Capital Contribution Note and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the statement of operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Any material changes in the estimated fair value of the Capital Contribution Note are recognized as non-cash gains or losses in the statements of operations. The Company believes that the fair value option better reflects the underlying economics of the Capital Contribution Note. The fair value of the Capital Contribution Note will include both the fair value of the 300,000 shares in consideration for the Capital Calls as described in Note 7 and the principal as of each reporting date. As such, the Capital Contribution Note was initially measured at $1,359,720 as of the issue date. The $1,059,720 excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance was recorded in the accompanying statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Capital Contribution Note was $2,200,291. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $840,571 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Capital Contribution Note in the statements of operations.

 

14


 

October 2023 Subscription Agreement

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement (as defined in Note 8) under ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and concluded that, (i) the Subscription Shares (as defined in Note 8) issuable under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are not required to be accounted for as a liability under ASC 480 or ASC 815, (ii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Subscription Share feature(s) (i.e., derivative instrument) is not necessary under ASC 815-15-25, and (iii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination (as defined in Note 8) feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 470 “Debt” and concluded that, the Subscription Shares are representative of an equity classified freestanding financial instrument issued in a bundled transaction with a loan which is representative of a liability classified freestanding financial instrument which contains a derivative instrument which is required to be bifurcated and classified and accounted for as a derivative liability measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded within the accompanying statements of operations. As a result, the Company will record the October 2023 Subscription Agreement using the with-and-without method of accounting combined with the relative fair value method of accounting when allocating the proceeds received under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, as required under ASC 470.

 

Warrant Liability

 

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative liabilities are classified in the balance sheets as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

The Company accounts for the warrants issued in connection with the IPO and the private placement in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classified each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each reporting periods. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 15,333,333 public and private warrants outstanding (not including the 1,306,385 and 0 warrants as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes).

 

Net (Loss) Income Per Share

 

The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. The 15,333,333 potential ordinary shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock, the 1,306,385 potential ordinary shares for the warrants that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes, to purchase the Company’s stock, the 330,000 potential ordinary shares (including 30,000 shares in consideration of the $300,000 principal amount outstanding under the Capital Contribution Note, if Polar elects to receive shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00, and 300,000 shares in consideration of the Capital Calls as described in Note 7) and the 750,000 Subscription Shares (as defined in Note 8) that will be issued to Polar at the Closing were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 because the warrants and the shares that will be issued to Polar are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted net (loss) income per share is the same as basic net (loss) income per share for the periods. In addition, any shares subject to forfeiture are not included in the weighted average shares outstanding until the forfeiture restrictions lapse.

 

The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for each class of ordinary shares. Because the redemption value of the Class A ordinary shares approximates their fair value, remeasurement to redemption value is not impacting allocable earnings.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2023     2022  
    Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B  
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share:                        
Numerator:                        
Allocation of net (loss) income   $ (2,697,319 )   $ (3,492,326 )   $ 9,293,085     $ 2,323,271  
Denominator:                                
Weighted-average shares outstanding     5,792,672       7,500,000       30,000,000       7,500,000  
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.47 )   $ 0.31     $ 0.31  

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement 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.

 

15


 

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s management determined that the Cayman Islands and Singapore are the Company’s only major tax jurisdictions. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

 

There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with federal income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company, but rather on the individual owners. United States (“U.S.”) taxation would occur on the individual owners if certain tax elections are made by U.S. owners and the Company were treated as a passive foreign investment company. Additionally, U.S. taxation could occur to the Company itself if the Company is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. The Company is not expected to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business at this time.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2024 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2024.

 

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 financial statements and disclosures.

 

The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on these financial statements.

 

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

 

On February 17, 2021, the Company sold 30,000,000 Units, including the issuance of 2,500,000 Units as a result of the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. The over-allotment option covering an additional 1,625,000 Units expired on March 28, 2021. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Each whole warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the IPO, February 17, 2021, and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

Following the closing of the IPO on February 17, 2021, an amount of $300,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and was invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act that invests only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account are now maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation.

 

Warrants

 

As of December 31, 2023, there were 10,000,000 public warrants and 5,333,333 Private Placement Warrants outstanding (not including the 1,306,385 warrants that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes). Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed herein. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per Class A ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price (discussed below) will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price (discussed below) will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

 

16


 

The warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of its initial Business Combination, and will expire five years after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.

 

The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that, if the Company’s Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th day after the closing of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

 

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00.

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

 

  in whole and not in part;
     
  at a price of $0.01 per warrant;
     
  upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and
     
  if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three trading days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

 

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00.

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

  in whole and not in part;
     
  at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares;
     
  if, and only if, the closing price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per public share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading days within the 30-trading day period ending three trading days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and
     
  if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant), the Private Placement Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding public warrants.

 

17


 

The warrant agreement contains an alternative issuance provision that if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of the ordinary shares in the Business Combination is payable in the form of ordinary shares in the successor entity, and if the holders of the warrants properly exercise the warrants within thirty days following the public disclosure of the consummation of the Business Combination by the Company, the warrant price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference (but in no event less than zero) of (i) the warrant price in effect prior to such reduction minus (ii) (A) the Per Share Consideration (as defined below) minus (B) the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined below). The “Black-Scholes Warrant Value” means the value of a warrant immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Model for a Capped American Call on Bloomberg Financial Markets. “Per Share Consideration” means (i) if the consideration paid to holders of the ordinary shares consists exclusively of cash, the amount of such cash per ordinary share, and (ii) in all other cases, the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares as reported during the ten-trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the Business Combination.

 

The Company believes that the adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants is based on a variable that is not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option as defined under FASB ASC Topic No. 815-40, and thus the warrants are not eligible for an exception from derivative accounting.

 

The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that the Company record a derivative liability at fair value upon the closing of the IPO. The warrants were allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to their fair value determined by the Monte Carlo simulation. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification. If no events occurred during the period, the warrants will not be reclassified. The fair value of the liabilities is re-measured at the end of every reporting period and the change in fair value is reported in the statements of operations as a gain or loss on derivative financial instruments.

 

NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 5,333,333 Private Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $8,000,000. The fair value of the warrants as of the IPO was $1.38 per warrant, for a total initial fair value of $7,375,280. The excess of cash received over the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was $624,720 and was reflected in additional paid-in capital on the statements of changes in shareholders’ deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

 

The Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and they will not be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. The Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the Private Placement Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in the IPO.

 

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Founder Shares

 

On December 28, 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share, to cover certain offering costs in consideration for 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On February 11, 2021, the Company effected a share capitalization resulting in the Sponsor holding an additional 718,750 Class B ordinary shares for an aggregate of 7,906,250 Class B ordinary shares including up to 1,031,250 Founder Shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option was exercised. On February 17, 2021, J.P. Morgan partially exercised its over-allotment option, hence, 625,000 Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture. At March 28, 2021, the over-allotment option expired, hence the 406,250 Class B ordinary shares were forfeited. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 7,500,000 Founder Shares issued and outstanding.

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees and under certain circumstances) until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after the initial Business Combination that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (the “lock-up”).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination or (2) if the Company consummates a transaction after the initial Business Combination which results in the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Founder Shares will be released from the lock-up.

 

18


 

The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and executive officers have also agreed not to transfer any of their Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

 

Due to Related Party

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount due to related party was $241,366 and $125,625, respectively, which mainly consisted of the unpaid portion of the administrative service fee described below.

 

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

On February 14, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Extension Note” and, together with the “1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note” as described below, the “Convertible Promissory Notes”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $900,000 (the “Extension Note”) from the Sponsor. Pursuant to the Extension Note, from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s Trust Account the lesser of (i) $75,000 or (ii) $0.0375 for each unredeemed public share, for each month (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month) until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve the Business Combination, and (ii) the date that $900,000 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants (the “Extension Loan Warrants”) to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the Private Placement Warrants that were issued in connection with the IPO. The terms of the Extension Loan Warrants will be identical to those of the Private Placement Warrants. The Extension Loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of (a) the consummation of the Company’s initial merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities and (b) the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the Extension Loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the Extension Note).

 

The Extension Note was valued using the fair value method, with the changes of fair value at each reporting period recorded in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2023, $825,000 was drawn under the Extension Note, with an initial fair value of $373,385 at the issuance dates. The difference of $451,615, between the withdrawals of $825,000 and the fair value at the issuance dates of $373,385, was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statement of changes in shareholders’ deficit for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Extension Note was presented at its fair value of $491,502, as Convertible Promissory Note on the accompanying balance sheet (see Note 9). Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company had received $900,000 for the extension deposits under the Extension Note.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $118,117 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Extension Note in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

Working Capital Loans

 

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes the initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. A portion of the Working Capital Loans, not to exceed $1,500,000, may be convertible into Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

 

On December 13, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note under the Working Capital Loans to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $1,500,000 from the Sponsor (the “$1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note,” and together with the “Extension Note” as described above, the “Convertible Promissory Notes”). Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant as described above. The $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of (a) the consummation of the Company’s initial merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities and (b) the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note). As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $1,134,578 and $0 were outstanding under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note. Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $1,431,995 for working capital purposes under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note.

 

The $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note was valued using the fair value method, with the changes of fair value at each reporting period recorded in statement of operations. As of December 31, 2023, $1,134,578 was drawn down under such loan, with an initial fair value of $542,729 at the issuance dates. The difference of $591,849, between the withdrawal of $1,134,578 and the fair value at the issuance dates of $542,729, was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statement of changes in shareholders’ deficit. As of December 31, 2023, the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note was presented at its fair value of $675,934 as a Working Capital Loan on the Company’s accompanying balance sheets. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had no borrowings under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note (see Note 9).

 

19


 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $133,205 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

Administrative Service Fee

 

The Company has agreed, commencing on the date the securities of the Company were first listed on the NYSE, to pay the Sponsor $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to members of the Company’s management team. For each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the Company incurred $120,000 in expenses in connection with such services and paid in aggregate of $5,065 of these fees during the year ended December 31, 2023. All such expenses were recorded in the accompanying statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, administrative service fees of $240,935 and $125,625 were unpaid and are included in due to related party on the accompanying balance sheets. Upon completion of the initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.

 

NOTE 6. NOTE RECEIVABLE

 

On October 27, 2023, the Company and Crown entered into a promissory note (“Promissory Note”) whereby the Company agreed to provide a loan in the principal amount of $750,000 to Crown to fund working capital until the Closing. Crown has agreed to repay the $750,000 to the Company within ten (10) business days of the Company providing Crown with written notice of demand after the Closing. In the event the Business Combination Agreement is terminated or the Business Combination does not close by February 17, 2024 (which was subsequently extended to June 17, 2024, and then to June 28, 2024), Crown has agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred to the Company within ten (10) business days of the termination, (A) $1,750,000 in cash; or (B) solely at the discretion and election of the Company, $1,000,000 in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s common equity equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common equity (on a fully diluted basis) as of the date of the termination. This agreement was entered into concurrently with the October 2023 Subscription Agreement (as defined and discussed further in Note 8). On October 30, 2023, the Company advanced $750,000 to Crown.

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 320 “Investments - Debt Securities” and concluded that, bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company recorded a held to maturity asset in the amount of $750,000 which is representative of the amortized cost of the Note Receivable and recorded a corresponding Derivative Asset - Note Receivable in the amount of $2,667,828. During the subsequent measurement period, the Company recorded an increase in expense in the amount of $21,536 associated with changes in the fair value of the Derivative Asset - Note Receivable as of December 31, 2023. Further, the Note Receivable was issued at a discount of $750,000, which was fully accreted to the Note Receivable balance immediately as it occurred.

 

To value the Derivative Asset - Note Receivable upon issuance, the Company used a probability weighted expected return model (“PWER model”) that values the October 2023 Subscription Agreement based on future projections of the various potential outcomes. The embedded options were valued using a Black Scholes model. The derivative value was determined on a with and without basis. The key inputs for PWER model include 1) volatility of 35.5%; 2) risk- free rate of 5.6%; 3) restricted terms of 0.31 year; 4) likelihood of completing a business combination of 60%.

 

20


 

NOTE 7. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION NOTE

 

On March 9, 2023, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “March 2023 Subscription Agreement”) with the Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”), pursuant to which the Sponsor sought to raise $1,200,000 to fund the extension and to provide working capital to the Company. The Sponsor committed to fund $900,000 of this amount through the Extension Note described in Note 5 above and Polar agreed to provide the remaining $300,000 (the “Capital Contribution Note”). The Company will request funds from the Sponsor for working capital purposes (“Drawdown Request”). Upon at least five (5) calendar days’ prior written notice, the Sponsor may require a drawdown from Polar against the capital commitment in order to meet 25% of the Sponsor’s commitment to the Company under a Drawdown Request (“Capital Call”). In consideration of the Capital Call(s) made hereunder, the Company will issue 300,000 Class A ordinary shares to Polar at the Closing. Any amounts funded by the Sponsor to the Company under a Drawdown Request shall not accrue interest and shall be promptly repaid by the Company to the Sponsor upon the Closing. Following receipt of such sums from the Company, and in any event within five (5) business days of the Closing, the Sponsor or the Company shall pay Polar an amount equal to Capital Calls funded under the March 2023 Subscription Agreement (the “Business Combination Payment”). The Company and Sponsor are jointly and severally obligated to make the Business Combination Payment to Polar. Polar may elect at the Closing to receive such Business Combination Payment in cash or Class A ordinary shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00 of the Capital Calls funded under the March 2023 Subscription Agreement. If the Company liquidates without consummating a Business Combination, any amounts remaining in the Sponsor or the Company’s cash accounts after paying any outstanding third party invoices (excluding any due to the Sponsor), not including the Company’s Trust Account, will be paid to Polar within five (5) days of the liquidation.

 

The Company treated the Capital Contribution Note as a debt instrument and measured it with fair value method, and records changes of fair value at each reporting period in the statement of operations. The fair value of the Capital Contribution Note will include both the fair value of the 300,000 shares in consideration for the Capital Calls and the principal as of each reporting date. As of December 31, 2023, the entire $300,000 funding was received under the Capital Contribution Note. The initial fair value of the Capital Contribution Note was $1,359,720. The difference of $1,059,720, between the $300,000 principal and the initial fair value of $1,359,720, was recorded as expenses in the accompanying statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Capital Contribution Note was presented at its fair value of $2,200,291 on the accompanying balance sheets (see Note 8).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $840,571 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Capital Contribution Note in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

21


 

NOTE 8. SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT-- POLAR

 

On October 25, 2023, the Company, the Sponsor and Polar entered into an additional (see Note 7) subscription agreement (the “October 2023 Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which Polar agreed to fund a capital contribution of $750,000 (the “SPAC Loan”), without interest, to the Company and in consideration thereof, the Company agreed to issue or cause PubCo to issue 750,000 Class A ordinary shares (the “Subscription Shares”) to Polar at the Closing. The Sponsor and the Company, jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay the $750,000 to Polar within five (5) business days of the Closing. In the event that: (i) the Business Combination Agreement is terminated or (ii) the Business Combination does not close by February 17, 2024 (or such other date as the parties to the Business Combination Agreement shall agree) (the “Termination”), the Sponsor and the Company, jointly and severally, agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred to Polar within ten business days of the Termination, (A) $1,750,000 in cash; or (B) solely at the discretion and election of Polar, $1,000,000 in cash and, a number of shares of Crown’s common equity equal to 1.5% of its outstanding common equity (on a fully diluted basis) as of the date of Termination (either (A) or (B) above, the “Catcha Termination Payment”). If a Catcha Termination Payment is not made within ten business days of the Termination, the Sponsor and the Company agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred, warrants that entitle Polar to purchase a number of shares of Crown’ common equity equal to 0.30 percent per annum of the outstanding Crown common equity (on a fully-diluted basis) at exercise, for a price per share of $0.01 (the “Crown Warrants”), accruing monthly (for each month from the date of the Termination until the time that Polar receives the full amount of the Catcha Termination Payment, so that for each such month, a Crown Warrant shall be issued to Polar for a number of shares equal to the total number of shares of outstanding common equity of Crown on a fully diluted basis multiplied by 0.00025). The Crown Warrants are exercisable pursuant to terms set forth in the October 2023 Subscription Agreement.

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and concluded that, (i) the Subscription Shares issuable under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are not required to be accounted for as a liability under ASC 480 or ASC 815, (ii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Subscription Share feature(s) (i.e., derivative instrument) is not necessary under ASC 815-15-25, and (iii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 470 “Debt” and concluded that, the Subscription Shares are representative of an equity classified freestanding financial instrument issued in a bundled transaction with a SPAC Loan which is representative of liability classified freestanding financial instrument which contains a derivative instrument which is required to be bifurcated and classified and accounted for as a derivative liability measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded within the accompanying statements of operations (hereinafter, the “Derivative Liability - Note Payable”). As a result, the Company recorded the October 2023 Subscription Agreement using the with-and-without method of accounting combined with the relative fair value method of accounting when allocating the proceeds received under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, as required under ASC 470. On October 25, 2023, the date of issuance, the fair value of the Subscription Shares was $4,917,967, the fair value of the Derivative Liability - Note Payable was $2,667,828, and the fair value of the Derivative Asset - Note Receivable (see Note 6) was $2,667,828. As of December 31, 2023, the Company received $750,000 under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Derivative Liability - Note Payable was $2,689,364; therefore, the Company recorded an increase in expense in the amount of $21,536 associated with changes in the fair value of the Derivative Liability - Note Payable as of December 31, 2023. Further, the Note Payable was issued at a discount of $750,000, which was fully accreted to the Note Payable balance immediately as it occurred.

 

To value the Derivative Liability - Note Payable at issuance date the Company used a probability weighted expected return model (“PWER model”) that values the October 2023 Subscription Agreement based on future projections of the various potential outcomes. The embedded options were valued using a Black Scholes model. The derivative value was determined on a with and without basis. The key inputs for PWER model include 1) volatility of 35.5%; 2) risk-- free rate of 5.6%; 3) restricted terms of 0.31 year; 4) likelihood of completing a business combination of 60%.

 

22


 

NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The following tables presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

 

    December 31,
2023
    Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:                        
Derivative Asset - Note Receivable   $ 2,689,364                   $ -     $ 2,689,364  
Liabilities:                                
Warrant Liability-Public Warrants     400,000     $ -       400,000       -  
Warrant Liability-Private Placement Warrants     221,969       -       221,969       -  
Working Capital Loans     675,934       -       -       675,934  
Promissory Note-Related Party     491,502       -       -       491,502  
Capital Contribution Note     2,200,291       -       -       2,200,291  
Derivative Liability - Note Payable     2,689,364       -       -       2,689,364  
Total   $ 6,679,060     $ -     $ 621,969     $ 6,057,091  

 

    December 31,
2022
    Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets                        
Cash and investments held in Trust Account - Trading Securities   $ 304,086,289     $ 304,086,289     $ -     $             -  
    $ 304,086,289     $ 304,086,289     $ -     $ -  
Liabilities                                
Warrant Liability - Public Warrants   $ 42,000     $ 42,000     $ -     $ -  
Warrant Liability - Private Placement Warrants     26,660       -       26,660        -  
    $ 68,660     $ 42,000     $ 26,660     $ -  

 

23


 

The warrants, Working Capital Loans, the Extension Note, the Capital Contribution Note and the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities, Working Capital Loans, Convertible Promissory Note, Capital Contribution Note and Derivative Liability - Note Payable, respectively, in the accompanying balance sheets. The warrant liabilities, Working Capital Loans, Convertible Promissory Note, Capital Contribution Note and Derivative Liability - Note Payable are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented in the statements of operations. The excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statements of shareholders’ equity. The excess of fair value over proceeds at issuance was recorded as expenses in the accompanying statement of operations.

 

Warrant Liability

 

The Company’s public and private warrant liabilities were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation at issuance date utilizing management judgment and pricing inputs from the quoted underlying ordinary shares. Significant deviations from these estimates and inputs could result in a material change in fair value. The fair value of the public and private warrant liabilities was initially classified as Level 3.

 

On November 4, 2022, the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) notified the Company, and publicly announced, that the NYSE determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share and listed to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “CHAA WS”, from the NYSE and that trading in the warrants would be suspended immediately, due to “abnormally low” trading price levels pursuant to Section 802.01D of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The public warrants began to trade over-the counter (OTC) since then.

 

On March 23, 2023, the Company received approval to transfer the listing of Class A ordinary shares from the NYSE to the NYSE American and on March 28, 2023, the Class A ordinary shares began trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “CHAA”. In connection with the transfer, effective March 28, 2023, any remaining units were mandatorily separated into their component parts and the units are no longer traded on the NYSE.

 

The fair value of the public warrant liability was classified as Level 1 as of December 31, 2022 due to it publicly trading on NYSE. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the public warrant liability was re-classified as Level 2 due to the insufficient trading volume.

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Private Placement Warrants were valued using a Monte Carlo model using the quoted underlying public warrants. Due to the observable inputs in the fair value estimation of the Private Placement Warrants, these inputs were classified as Level 2 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

The key inputs used in the Monte Carlo simulation for the Private Placement Warrants as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

Input   December 31,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
Public Warrant Price     0.040       0.004  
Risk-free interest rate     5.17 %     4.74 %
Expected term (years)     5.13       5.31  
Expected volatility     1.4 %     5.4 %
Stock price   $ 11.13     $ 10.09  
Exercise price   $ 11.50     $ 11.50  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     60 %     50 %

 

24


 

Convertible Promissory Notes (Extension Note and Working Capital Loan)

 

Valuation of the Convertible Promissory Notes (which includes the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Note) was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the estimated timing of the initial business combination and classified as a Level 3 valuation. The key inputs or weighted average inputs, as applicable, for discounted cash flow analysis at initial draw dates and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   December 31,
2023
    Initial Draw
Dates
(February 22,
2023 -
December 28,
2023)
 
Risk-free interest rate for warrant     3.84 %     3.54-4.89 %
Risk-free interest rate for debt     5.54 %     4.82-5.60 %
Term of Debt Conversion (years)     0.13       0.32-0.14  
Term of Warrant Conversion (years)     5.00       5.00-5.80  
Expected volatility     1.4 %     0.1-4.1 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.13     $ 10.20-11.13  
Exercise price of Warrants   $ 11.5     $ 11.5  
Strike Price of Debt Conversion   $ 1.5     $ 1.5  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     60 %     40-100 %

 

Activity for the year ended December 31, 2023 for the Convertible Promissory Notes (which include the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Note) was as follows:

 

    Extension
Note
    Working
Capital
Loan
 
Cash Proceeds from Convertible Promissory Notes   $ 825,000     $ 1,134,578  
Excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance     (451,615 )     (591,849 )
Change in fair value     118,117       133,205  
Fair value as of December 31, 2023   $ 491,502     $ 675,934  

 

Capital Contribution Note

 

Valuation of the Capital Contribution Note was determined using a Probability Weighted Expected Return Method (“PWERM”) and classified as a Level 3 valuation. The PWERM is a multistep process in which value is estimated based on the probability -weighted present value of various future outcomes. The key inputs or weighted average inputs, as applicable, for PWERM at December 31, 2023 and the initial draw dates of March 24, 2023 and May 24, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   December 31,
2023
    Initial
Draws
 
Risk-free interest rate     5.50 %     4.6-4.84 %
Estimated Term (years)     0.13       0.72-1.34  
Expected volatility     1.4 %     2.6-3.4 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.13     $ 10.23-10.33  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     60 %     40 %
Consideration for the Capital Call(s)- in shares     300,000       300,000  

 

25


 

Activity for the period ended December 31, 2023 for the Capital Contribution Note was as follows:

 

    Polar  
Cash Proceeds from Capital Contribution Note   $ 300,000  
Excess of fair value over proceeds at issuance     1,059,720  
Change in fair value     840,571  
Fair value of the Capital Contribution Note as of December 31, 2023   $ 2,200,291  

 

Derivative Liability - Note Payable

 

Valuation of the Derivative Liability - Note Payable was determined using a Black -Scholes model with the remaining term, associated risk -free rate, share price, comparable guideline company volatility and no expected dividends. The key inputs for Black -Scholes model at the initial draw date of October 25, 2023 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   December 31,
2023
    October 25,
2023
 
Risk-free interest rate     5.50 %     5.6 %
Estimated Term (years)     0.13       0.31  
Expected volatility     38.1 %     35.5 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.13     $ 10.95  
Fair Value of 1.5% Shares of Crown     6,606,000       6,606,000  
Exercise Price   $ 750,000     $ 750,000  

 

The fair value of 1.5% Shares of Crown is based on a $600 million equity value of a 100% interest in Crown. The Company adjusted this value based on a discount of 26.6% for lack of marketability.

 

Activity for the period ended December 31, 2023 for the Derivative Liability - Note Payable was as follows:

 

    Polar  
Fair value of Derivative Liability - Note Payable at initial withdrawal day, October 25, 2023   $ 2,667,828  
Change in fair value     21,536  
Fair value of the Derivative Liability - Note Payable as of December 31, 2023   $ 2,689,364  

 

NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of the Founder Shares, the Class A ordinary shares that will be issued to Polar at Closing, the Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and the Extension Note (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and the Extension Note) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the Company’s completion of its initial Business Combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provide that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, and (ii) in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The underwriter of the IPO is entitled to a deferred underwriting fee of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO, or $10,500,000, held in the Trust Account upon the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The deferred underwriting fee was included as a liability on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022.

 

On August 10, 2023, J.P. Morgan waived its entitlement to the payment of $10,500,000 deferred underwriting fee in connection with its role as underwriter in the Company’s IPO. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan had no role in connection with the Business Combination. As a result, the Company recognized $482,662 of other income attributable to the derecognition of deferred underwriting fees allocated to offering costs previously expensed and $10,017,338 was recorded to accumulated deficit in relation to the waiver of the deferred underwriting fees in the accompanying financial statements. 

 

26


 

Advisory Agreements

 

On March 14, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) for Chardan to act as exclusive capital markets technical advisor with respect to an event of a stock exchange demand for action by the Company at a time other than the initial closing of a business combination involving the Company and a target or targets. The agreement calls for Chardan to receive a fee of $175,000 at the signing of the agreement, a fee of $175,000 no later than 10 calendar days after Chardan informs the Company of the documented completion of the technical advisory activities and a deferred fee of $275,000 at the earlier of (i) the closing of a Business Combination from the closing flow-of-funds or (ii) upon the liquidation of the Trust Account if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination. For the period ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $625,000 of such advisory service fee in the accompanying statement of operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had paid $350,000 to Chardan and the total unpaid amounts to Chardan was $275,000, which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the Company’s accompanying balance sheet.

 

On March 26, 2023, the Company entered an agreement with Alumia SARL (“Alumia”) to act as a non-exclusive transactional and strategic capital markets advisor to the Company assisting with introductions and with respect to the Company’s potential Business Combination. The agreement calls for Alumia to receive simultaneously with the Closing of the Business Combination (a) a fee in the amount of $2,500,000 and (b) a fee of 4% multiplied by the dollar amount of any equity financing transactions which may be entered into by third party investors identified and introduced by Alumia prior to the Closing, regardless of whether the counterparty in the Business Combination was a subject target, payable upon the Closing. Alumia is currently not involved in the Company’s Business Combination transaction with Crown, and no fee is currently payable under this agreement.

 

On May 18, 2023, the Company engaged J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, acting through its Cohen & Company Capital Markets division (“CCM”), to act as its (i) capital markets advisor in connection with the Business Combination with Crown and (ii) placement agent in connection with a private placement of equity, equity-linked, convertible and/or debt securities (the “Securities”) or other capital or debt raising transaction (the “Offering”) in connection with the Business Combination. The Company shall pay CCM (i) an advisor fee in connection with the Business Combination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) $2,000,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the Closing of the Business Combination and (II) 50,000 shares of common stock or equivalent equity (the “Shares”) of the publicly listed post-business combination company (collectively, the “Advisor Fee”) and (ii) a transaction fee in connection with the Offering of an amount equal to 7.0% of the sum of (A) the gross proceeds raised from investors and received by the Company or Crown simultaneously with or before the closing of the Offering plus (B) proceeds released from the Trust Account with respect to any shareholder of the Company that (x) entered into a non-redemption or other similar agreement or (y) did not redeem the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, in each instance to the extent such investor or shareholder under (A) and (B) above was identified to the Company by CCM, which shall be payable in U.S. dollars by the Company and due to CCM simultaneously with the closing of the Offering. The Shares shall be fully duly authorized, validly issued, paid and non-assessable and shall be registered for resale under the Act, or otherwise freely tradeable, as of the Closing of the Business Combination and will be delivered in book entry form in the name of and delivered to CCM (or its designee) at the Closing of the Business Combination. As of December 31, 2023, no fees are currently payable under the aforementioned arrangement.

 

NOTE 11. SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

Preference shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001 and with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no preference shares issued or outstanding (see Note 12).

 

Class A ordinary shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, excluding 2,214,859 and 30,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, respectively, subject to possible redemption. The Class A ordinary shares that will be issued to Polar at the Closing, including 300,000 shares in consideration of Capital Calls as described in Note 7 and 30,000 shares (if Polar elects to receive shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00 at the Closing) in consideration of the $300,000 withdrawal of the Capital Contribution Note as of December 31, 2023, were not shown as outstanding as of December 31, 2023 or 2022.

 

27


 

Class B ordinary shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue a total of 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares at par value of $0.0001 per share. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were 7,500,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders except as required by law. Unless specified in the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s ordinary shares that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by its shareholders.

 

The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company does not consummate an initial Business Combination) at the time of the initial Business Combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding upon the completion of the IPO, plus (ii) the total number of Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, excluding any Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued or to be issued to any seller in the initial Business Combination and any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor, its affiliates or any member of the Company’s management team upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, unless the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Class B ordinary shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to such issuance or deemed issuance at the time thereof. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one-to-one.

 

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Other than as described below or within these financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

Business Combination Agreement Amendments

 

On January 31, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to (i) remove the closing condition in Section 9.2(f) of the Business Combination Agreement which would have required the Company to have satisfied the minimum cash condition of at least US$20,000,000 and (ii) allow for listing of the PubCo ordinary shares on either the NYSE or Nasdaq.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024 (and subsequently extended as described below). In addition, the Company agreed to waive its right under its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to withdraw up to $100,000 of the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account to pay dissolution expenses in the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account.

 

On February 14, 2024, the SEC declared the registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Business Combination effective.

 

On May 21, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 17, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination. The non-solicitation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement were amended to expire on May 31, 2024, unless Crown has received notice that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination on Nasdaq, NYSE American or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown.

 

On June 11, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 28, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

On June 12, 2024, Catcha held its Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders pursuant to which the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown. In connection with the votes taken at this Extraordinary General Meeting, Catcha has received elections from certain holders of our Class A ordinary shares to exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash. As of the date of these financial statements, such elections are still within the time frame when such requests can be rescinded; thus the final redemption payout has not yet been determined.

 

28


 

Business Combination - Other Agreements

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes issuable upon closing of the Business Combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo ordinary shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with certain accredited investor (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and the Company entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placements with certain accredited investor who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

Securities Lending Agreement

 

On May 22, 2024, PubCo entered into a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with Millennia Capital Partners Limited (the “Lender”) pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million (the “Loan”) at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of 730,000 shares of Crown pledged to the Lender (“Transferred Collateral”). “Loan to Value” means the ratio of the Loan to the value of the Transferred Collateral, calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the fair market value of the Transferred Collateral. The Loan matures thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Lending Agreement) and bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0% to be paid quarterly.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”; together with the April 2024 Notes, the PIPE and the Securities Lending Agreement, the “Financing Agreements”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to approximately USD$20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”).

 

29


 

Redemptions and Extensions

 

On February 16, 2024, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Second Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024, or May 17, 2024, subject to that the Sponsor, or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees (the “Lender”), will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender and (ii) an amendment to the Company’s IMTA to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination up to three times for one month each from February 17, 2024 to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024 or May 17, 2024 (the “IMTA Amendment No.2”). On February 16, 2024, Catcha and Continental entered into the IMTA Amendment No.2.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Second Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of an additional 641,303 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.29 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $7,241,004. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 22, 2024.

 

In January 2024, using the proceeds received under the Extension Note, the Company deposited another $75,000 into the Trust Account, to extend the date that the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to February 17, 2024.

 

On each of February 22, 2024, March 21, 2024 and April 19, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Company deposited $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Third Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024, subject to that the Lender will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Third Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of an additional 208,674 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.52 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $2,403,928. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on May 20, 2024. As a result, 1,364,882 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $15.7 million are still outstanding after the redemption.

 

On May 24, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Company deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to June 17, 2024.

 

On May 10, 2024, the Company determined to postpone its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders relating to shareholder approval of the Company’s entry into a Business Combination Agreement and a related Merger and Plan of Merger (the “Business Combination Meeting”), from the previously scheduled date of May 15, 2024 to June 12, 2024.

 

Additional Financing

 

On March 27, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Extension Note No. 1”), dated as of February 17, 2024, to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $141,620 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 1”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through May 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $47,206.68 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $141,620.04 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1).

 

30


 

On March 29, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Convertible Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $500,000 from the Sponsor. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note).

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $122,839 (the “2024 Extension Note No. 2”) to the Sponsor. The Note does not bear interest and matures upon closing of the Business Combination. If the Company completes the proposed Business Combination, it will repay the amounts loaned under the promissory notes or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory notes into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor at the time of the Company’s initial public offering. If the Company does not complete the proposed Business Combination by the final applicable Extended Termination Date, such promissory notes will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account.

 

NYSE Notice

 

On February 20, 2024, the Company received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist Catcha’s Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a Business Combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its Initial Public Offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement.

 

On February 23, 2024, the Company submitted a written request to NYSE asking for the review of the delisting determination by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the Exchange. Up to the date the financial statements were issued, the Company’s Class A ordinary shares have not been suspended and will continue to trade.

 

On April 17, 2024, the Company received a written notice from NYSE American indicating that the Company was not in compliance with NYSE American’s continued listing standards because the Company did not timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), which was due on April 16, 2024.

 

In accordance with Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide, the Company will have six months from April 16, 2024 (the “Initial Cure Period”), to file the Form 10-K with the SEC. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-K during the Initial Cure Period, NYSE American may, in its sole discretion, provide an additional six-month cure period (the “Additional Cure Period”). The Company can regain compliance with the Exchange’s continued listing standards at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as applicable, by filing the Form 10-K and any subsequent delayed filings with the SEC.

 

The Company has an NYSE appeal hearing scheduled for July 17, 2024.

 

Class B Ordinary Shares Conversion

 

On May 13, 2024, the Sponsor delivered notice of conversion of an aggregate of 7,350,350 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company (the “Conversion”). The 7,350,350 Class B Shares, representing approximately 81% of the total issued and outstanding Class A Shares after the Conversion, issued in connection with the Conversion are subject to the same restrictions as applied to the Class B Shares before the Conversion, including, among others, certain transfer restrictions, waiver of redemption rights and the obligation to vote in favor of an initial business combination as further described in the Company’s definitive merger proxy statement/prospectus on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2024 (“Definitive Merger Proxy Statement”). Up to the date of the financial statements were issued, the outstanding Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are 8,715,232 and 149,650, respectively. The Company evaluated the effect of the Conversion and concluded that the Conversion has no impact to the Company’s shareholders’ deficit.

 

 

31

 

 

EX-15.6 14 ea020814101ex15-6_crown.htm UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023

Exhibit 15.6

 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

INDEX TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Page
Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023 1
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 2
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 3
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 4
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements 5

 

 

 


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
             
Assets            
Cash   $ 2,950     $ 30,850  
Prepaid expenses     7,978       10,161  
Note receivable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       750,000  
Derivative asset — Note Receivable, at fair value     2,392,590       2,689,364  
Total current assets     3,153,518       3,480,375  
                 
Cash and investments held in Trust Account     17,973,163       24,782,259  
Total Assets   $ 21,126,681     $ 28,262,634  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 7,144,512     $ 5,777,552  
Due to Related Party     271,366       241,366  
Convertible Promissory Note, at fair value     637,856       491,502  
Working Capital Loan, at fair value     755,112       675,934  
Note payable, net of original issuance discount     750,000       750,000  
Derivative Liability — Note Payable, at fair value     2,392,590       2,689,364  
Capital Contribution Note, at fair value     2,418,829       2,200,291  
Total current liabilities     14,370,265       12,826,009  
                 
Warrant liability     1,533,333       621,969  
Total liabilities     15,903,598       13,447,978  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies                
                 
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, 1,573,556 and 2,214,859 shares at redemption value of $11.42 and $11.19 per share as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     17,973,163       24,782,259  
                 
Shareholders’ Deficit:                
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding            
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding (excluding 1,573,556 and 2,214,859 shares subject to possible redemption, respectively) at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023            
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 7,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023     750       750  
Additional paid-in capital            
Accumulated deficit     (12,750,830 )     (9,968,353 )
Total shareholders’ deficit     (12,750,080 )     (9,967,603 )
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit   $ 21,126,681     $ 28,262,634  

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

1


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2024     2023  
Formation and operating costs   $ 1,469,673     $ 909,935  
Loss from operations     (1,469,673 )     (909,935 )
                 
Other (expenses) income:                
Interest income from Trust Account     262,495       1,943,762  
Excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance           (1,104,618 )
Change in fair value of Convertible Promissory Note     (41,955 )     (234 )
Change in fair value of Working Capital Loan     (52,018 )     (667 )
Change in fair value of Capital Contribution Note     (218,538 )     (4,130 )
Change in fair value of warrant liability     (911,364 )     (112,509 )
Change in fair value of Derivative Asset – Note Receivable     (296,774 )      
Change in fair value of Derivative Liability – Note Payable     296,774        
Total other (expenses) income, net     (961,380 )     721,604  
                 
Net loss   $ (2,431,053 )   $ (188,331 )
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, redeemable Class A ordinary shares, subject to possible redemption     1,904,778       16,724,877  
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.01 )
                 
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, non-redeemable Class B ordinary shares     7,500,000       7,500,000  
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.01 )

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

2


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

 

    Class A
Ordinary Shares
    Class B
Ordinary Shares
    Additional
Paid-in
    Accumulated     Total
Shareholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Deficit  
Balance as of January 1, 2024         $       7,500,000     $ 750     $      —     $ (9,968,353 )   $ (9,967,603 )
Excess of proceeds from Convertible Promissory Note and Working Capital Loan over fair value at issuance (Note 5)                                   80,484       80,484  
Accretion of extension deposits to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)                                   (169,413 )     (169,413 )
Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption                                   (262,495 )     (262,495 )
Net loss                                   (2,431,053 )     (2,431,053 )
Balance as of March 31, 2024         $       7,500,000     $ 750     $     $ (12,750,830 )   $ (12,750,080 )

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

3


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

 

    Ordinary Shares     Additional           Total  
    Class A     Class B     Paid-In     Accumulated     Shareholders’  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Deficit  
Balance as of January 1, 2023        —     $       7,500,000     $ 750     $         —     $ (11,239,897 )   $ (11,239,147 )
Excess of proceeds from Convertible Notes over fair value at issuance                                   263,626       263,626  
Accretion of extension deposits to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)                                   (150,000 )     (150,000 )
Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption                                   (1,943,762 )     (1,943,762 )
Net loss                                   (188,331 )     (188,331 )
Balance as of March 31, 2023         $       7,500,000     $ 750     $     $ (13,258,364 )   $ (13,257,614 )

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

4


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2024     2023  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:            
Net loss   $ (2,431,053 )   $ (188,331 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Interest income from Trust Account     (262,495 )     (1,943,762 )
Excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance           1,104,618  
Change in fair value of warrant liability     911,364       112,509  
Change in fair value of Convertible Promissory Note     41,955       234  
Change in fair value of Working Capital Loan     52,018       667  
Change in fair value of Capital Contribution Note     218,538       4,130  
Change in fair value of Derivative Asset — Note Receivable     296,774        
Change in fair value of Derivative Liability — Note Payable     (296,774 )      
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:                
Prepaid expenses     2,183       (44,098 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     1,366,960       540,360  
Due to related party     30,000       30,000  
Net cash used in operating activities     (70,530 )     (383,673 )
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:                
Cash deposited in Trust Account     (169,413 )     (150,000 )
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account in connection with redemption     7,241,004       282,903,643  
Net cash provided by investing activities     7,071,591       282,753,643  
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from issuance of Working Capital Loan ($1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note as disclosed in Note 1)     42,630       278,564  
Proceeds from issuance of Convertible Promissory Note (Extension Note as disclosed in Note 5)     169,413       150,000  
Proceeds from issuance of Capital Contribution Note (subscription agreement with Polar as disclosed in Note 7)           200,000  
Payment of class A ordinary shares redemption     (7,241,004 )     (282,903,643 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (7,028,961 )     (282,275,079 )
                 
Net Change in Cash     (27,900 )     94,891  
Cash – beginning of the period     30,850       20,706  
Cash, end of the period   $ 2,950     $ 115,597  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:                
Excess of proceeds from Convertible Promissory Notes and Working Capital Loan over fair value at issuance (Note 5)   $ 80,484     $ 263,626  
Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption   $ 262,495     $ 1,943,762  
Accretion of extension deposits to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption (Note 2)   $ 169,413     $ 150,000  

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

5


 

CATCHA INVESTMENT CORP

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2024

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATION AND GOING CONCERN

 

Organization and General

 

Catcha Investment Corp (the “Company”) was incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on December 17, 2020. The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (the “Business Combination”).

 

The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity through March 31, 2024 relates to the Company’s formation, the Initial Public Offering (as defined below), and after the Initial Public Offering, searching for a Business Combination target, the negotiation of the Business Combination Agreement described below and subsequent amendments thereto, and the preparation and filing on October 3, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Business Combination ( the “Form F-4”). The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and investments held in the trust account established at the consummation of the Initial Public Offering (the “Trust Account”) from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering and will recognize changes in the fair value of warrant liability, Convertible Promissory Notes,the Capital Contribution Note and fair value changes of the Derivative Asset – Note Receivable, and Derivative Liability – Note Payable (which are all described further in Notes 2 and 8) as other income (expense). The Company has selected December 31 as Its fiscal year end.

 

The Company’s sponsor is Catcha Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”).

 

Financing

 

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”). On February 17, 2021, the Company consummated the initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering” or “IPO”) of 30,000,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary shares included in the Units sold, the “Public Shares”), including the issuance of 2,500,000 Units as a result of the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit generating gross proceeds of $300,000,000, which is described in Note 3. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Each whole warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the IPO (i.e., February 17, 2021), and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation (see Note 3).

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the sale of an aggregate of 5,333,333 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a price of $1.50 per warrant in a private placement to the Company’s Sponsor, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $8,000,000, which is described in Note 4.

  

6


 

Following the closing of the IPO on February 17, 2021, an amount of $300,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and was invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ( the “Investment Company Act”), that invests only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account will be maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any, the Company’s second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, and subject to the requirements of law and regulation, provide that the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust Account will not be released from the Trust Account (1) to the Company, until the completion of the initial Business Combination, or (2) to the Company’s public shareholders, until the earliest of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination, and then only in connection with those Class A ordinary shares that such shareholders properly elected to redeem, (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of its Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of the Company’s public shares if the Company does not complete the initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Combination Period”) or during any extended time in which the Company has to consummate a Business Combination beyond the aforementioned period as a result of a shareholder vote to amend the second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (an “Extension Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) the redemption of the Company’s public shares if the Company has not consummated its Business Combination within the Combination Period, subject to applicable law. On February 14, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, at which the Company’s shareholders approved, among other things, a proposal to amend Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors. On February 16, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below) agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024. On May 15, 2024, pursuant to the third extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association was amended to provide the Company’s board of directors the ability to extend the date by which the Company must (1) consummate an initial business combination, (2) cease its operations except for the purpose of winding up if it fails to complete such business combination, and (3) redeem all of the Company’s then outstanding Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering that was consummated on February 17, 2021 from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024. On May 21, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. On June 11, 2024, the parties to the Business Combination Agreement agreed to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by the parties if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024 (See Note 12). 

 

Transaction costs related to the IPO amounted to $17,031,183, consisting of $6,000,000 of underwriting fees, $10,500,000 of deferred underwriting fees (see Note 10), and $531,183 of other offering costs. Of the $17,031,183 transaction costs, $16,236,137 was charged to additional paid-in capital and $795,046 was allocated to the public and private warrants and recorded as other income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

On August 10, 2023, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), the underwriter in the IPO, waived its entitlement to payment of the $10,500,000 deferred underwriting fee in connection with its role as underwriter in the Company’s IPO. As a result, the Company recognized $482,662 of other income attributable to the derecognition of deferred underwriting fees allocated to offering costs previously expensed and $10,017,338 was recorded to accumulated deficit in relation to the waiver of the deferred underwriting fees in the accompanying financial statements.

 

7


 

Initial Business Combination

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (net of amounts disbursed to management for working capital purposes, if permitted, and excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires an interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

 

The Company will provide its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of the initial Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion.

 

The shareholders will be entitled to redeem their shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. The amount in the Trust Account was initially $10.00 per public share.

 

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, or during the Extension Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its income taxes, if any divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. On February 14, 2023, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “First Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved (i) an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors and (ii) an amendment to the Company’s investment management trust agreement, dated as of February 11, 2021 (the “IMTA”), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, by extending on a monthly basis. Following such approval by the Company’s shareholders, the Company and CST entered into the Amendment No. 1 to the IMTA on February 14, 2023.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the First Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of 27,785,141 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.18 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $282,903,643. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 23, 2023.

 

8


 

From February 2023 to December 2023, the Company deposited eleven tranches of $75,000, for an aggregate of $825,000, into the Trust Account, to extend the date that the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2023 to January 17, 2024. In January 2024, the Company deposited another $75,000 into the Trust Account, to extend the date that the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to February 17, 2024. All these deposits were made with proceeds received from the Sponsor under the Extension Note as discussed below.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Second Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved i) to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from February 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024, or May 17, 2024, subject to that the Sponsor or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees (the “Lender”), will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender and (ii) an amendment to the Company’s IMTA to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination up to three times for one month each from February 17, 2024 to March 17, 2024, April 17, 2024 or May 17, 2024 (the “IMTA Amendment No. 2”). On February 16, 2024, Catcha and Continental entered into the IMTA Amendment No. 2.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Second Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of an additional 641,303 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.29 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $7,241,004. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 23, 2024. As a result, 1,573,556 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $17.8 million are still outstanding after redemption.

 

On each of February 22, 2024, March 21, 2024 and April 19, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Company deposited $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Third Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024 (“Extended Termination Date”), subject to that the Lender will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Third Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on May 15, 2024, holders of an additional 208,674 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.52 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $2,403,928. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on May 20, 2024. As a result, 1,364,882 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $15.7 million were still outstanding after the redemption.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $122,839 (the “2024 Extension Note No. 2”) to the Sponsor. The Note does not bear interest and matures upon closing of the Business Combination. If the Company completes the proposed Business Combination, it will repay the amounts loaned under the promissory notes or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory notes into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor at the time of the Company’s initial public offering. If the Company does not complete the proposed Business Combination by the final applicable Extended Termination Date, such promissory notes will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account.

 

On each of May 23, 2024 and June 20, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Company deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to July 17, 2024.

 

9


 

On May 10, 2024, the Company determined to postpone its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders relating to shareholder approval of the Company’s entry into a Business Combination Agreement and a related Merger and Plan of Merger (the “Business Combination Meeting”), from the previously scheduled date of May 15, 2024 to June 12, 2024.

 

On June 12, 2024, the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting”) pursuant to which the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown. In connection with the votes taken at this Extraordinary General Meeting, Catcha has received elections from certain holders of its Class A ordinary shares to exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash. In connection with the votes taken at the Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting, as of the date of these financial statements, the holders of 1,143,847 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.61 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $13,274,625. As a result, following satisfaction of such redemptions as of the date of these financial statements, Catcha will have 221,035 Class A ordinary shares outstanding and the balance in the Trust Account would be approximately $2,565,165. As of the date of these financial statements, such elections are still within the time frame when such requests can be rescinded; thus the final redemption payout has not yet been determined.

 

On February 20, 2024, the Company received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist Catcha’s Class A ordinary shares pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a Business Combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its Initial Public Offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement.

 

On February 23, 2024, the Company submitted a written request to NYSE asking for the review of the delisting determination by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the Exchange. Up to the date the financial statements were issued, the Company’s Class A ordinary shares have not been suspended and will continue to trade.

 

The Company has an NYSE appeal hearing scheduled for July 17, 2024.

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors have agreed to (i) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”) and public shares in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, (ii) waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and public shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of its Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with the Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its public shares if the Company does not complete the Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the IPO or during the Extension Period or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of its Class A ordinary shares, and (iii) waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares and public shares they hold if the Company fails to consummate the Business Combination within the Combination Period or during the Extension Period.

 

In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account upon the failure of the Company to consummate a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest that may be withdrawn to pay the Company’s tax obligations, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business that executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriter of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, the Company has not asked the Sponsor to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor has the Company independently verified whether the Sponsor has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and the Company believes that the Sponsor’s only assets are securities of the Company. Therefore, the Company cannot assure that the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of the Company’s officers or directors will indemnify the Company for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses.

 

10


 

Business Combination Agreement

 

On August 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) with Crown LNG Holding AS, a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Norway (“Crown”), Crown LNG Holdings Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey, Channel Islands (“PubCo”), and CGT Merge II Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Merger Sub”).

 

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth therein, (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving company and becoming the wholly owned subsidiary of PubCo, as a result of which (a) each of the Company’s Class A ordinary share and Class B ordinary share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (the “Merger Effective Time”) shall automatically be cancelled and cease to exist in exchange for the right to receive one newly issued ordinary share of PubCo, and (b) each Company warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall cease to be a warrant with respect to the Company’s ordinary shares and be assumed by PubCo and converted into a warrant to purchase one ordinary share of PubCo; and (ii) subject to the certain procedures and conditions, Crown shareholders will transfer their Crown shares to PubCo in exchange for their Pro Rata Share (as defined below) of the Exchange Consideration (as defined below). The “Exchange Consideration” is a number of newly issued ordinary shares of PubCo equal to (a) a transaction value of $600 million divided by (b) a per share price of $10.00. “Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to each Crown shareholder, a fraction expressed as a percentage equal to (i) the number of Crown shares held by such Crown shareholder immediately prior to the effective time of the exchange (the “Exchange Effective Time”), divided by (ii) the total number of issued and outstanding Crown shares immediately prior to the Exchange Effective Time.

 

During the seven years following the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the persons who are Crown shareholders immediately prior to the Exchange Effective Time and who have participated in the Exchange shall have the contingent right to receive in the aggregate a number of ordinary shares of PubCo equivalent to 10% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of PubCo as of the Closing (the “Earnout Shares”), which will vest upon achievement of certain share prices and milestones as provided under the Business Combination Agreement. On October 2, 2023, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to delete the provisions with regards to the Earnout Shares in their entirety.

 

On January 31, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to (i) remove the closing condition in Section 9.2(f) of the Business Combination Agreement which would have required the Company to have satisfied the minimum cash condition of at least US$20,000,000 and (ii) allow for listing of the PubCo ordinary shares on either the NYSE or Nasdaq.

 

On February 14, 2024, the SEC declared the registration statement on Form F-4 with respect to the Business Combination effective.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024. In addition, the Company agreed to waive its right under its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to withdraw up to $100,000 of the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account to pay dissolution expenses in the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account.

 

On May 21, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 17, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination. The non-solicitation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement were amended to expire on May 31, 2024, unless Crown has received notice that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination on Nasdaq, NYSE American or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown.

 

11


 

On June 11, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 28, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

In connection with the Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting held on June 12, 2024, the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown. In connection with the votes taken at this Extraordinary General Meeting, Catcha has received elections from certain holders of our Class A ordinary shares to exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash. In connection with the votes taken at the Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting, as of the date of these financial statements, the holders of 1,143,847 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.61 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $13,274,625. As a result, following satisfaction of such redemptions as of the date of these financial statements, Catcha will have 221,035 Class A ordinary shares outstanding and the balance in the Trust Account would be approximately $2,565,165. As of the date of these financial statements, such elections are still within the time frame when such requests can be rescinded; thus the final redemption payout has not yet been determined.

 

The Business Combination Agreement may be terminated under certain customary circumstances at any time prior to the Closing, including, without limitation, (i) upon the mutual written consent of the Company and Crown, (ii) by either the Company or Crown, if any of the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived by June 28, 2024, (iii) by the Company, on the one hand, or Crown, on the other hand, as a result of certain material breaches by the counterparties to the Business Combination Agreement that remain uncured after any applicable cure period, (iv) by either the Company or Crown, if a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order or taken any other action permanently prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, (v) by the Company, on the one hand, or Crown, on the other hand, as a result of the failure by the counterparties to obtain approvals required for the Business Combination, and (vi) by the Company, if there has been a material adverse effect on each of Crown and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

 

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Going Concern

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $2,950 in cash outside of the Trust Account and working capital deficit of $11,216,747.

 

On December 13, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (see Note 5) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $1,500,000 (the “$1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note”) from the Sponsor. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $1,177,208 principal outstanding under such note, with a fair value of $755,112. Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $1,500,000 principal for working capital purposes under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note.

 

On February 14, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Extension Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $900,000 (the “Extension Loan”) from the Sponsor. Using these loans received, the Company deposited twelve tranches of $75,000, totaling $900,000, into the Trust Account from February 2023 to January 2024, to extend the date by which the Company must complete a Business Combination to February 14, 2024.

 

On March 9, 2023, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “March 2023 Subscription Agreement”) with the Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”), pursuant to which Polar has agreed to provide $300,000 to the Company (the “Capital Contribution Note”) as discussed in Note 7. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had received the entire $300,000 funding under such note (see Note 7).

 

12


 

On March 27, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Extension Note No. 1”), dated as of February 17, 2024, to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $141,620.04 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 1”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through May 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $47,206.68 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $141,620.04 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1). As of March 31, 2024, the Company withdrew $94,413 under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1. Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received the entire $141,620 principal under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1.

 

On March 29, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Convertible Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $500,000 from the Sponsor for working capital purposes. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the Private Placement Warrants. The loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note). As of March 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowing outstanding under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note. Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $54,565 principal for working capital purposes under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note.

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued the 2024 Extension Note No. 2 to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $122,839.38 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 2”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through August 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $40,946.46 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $122,839.38 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2). Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $81,893 principal under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2.

 

On February 22, 2024, March 21, 2024 and April 19, 2024, the sponsor deposited three tranches of $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024. On each of May 23, 2024 and June 20, 2024, the sponsor deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to July 17, 2024. 

 

13


 

In addition, in order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company additional funds as may be required. Management will use these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating a Business Combination. No additional funding has been received under this arrangement. However, management expects the Company to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of the consummation of a Business Combination and current funds, committed or otherwise, may not be sufficient to operate the Company for at least the 12 months following the issuance of the financial statements contained herein. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity, which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, suspending the pursuit of a Business Combination.

 

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic (“ASC”) 205-40, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern,” management has determined that if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by August 17, 2024 (subject to the Company making the required monthly deposits of $40,946 to extend the date by which to consummate the Business Combination each month up through August 17, 2024) or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The mandatory liquidation, subsequent dissolution and the liquidity issues described above raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern one year from the date that these 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 August 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management is currently evaluating the impact of persistent inflation and rising interest rates, financial market instability, including the recent bank failures, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and certain geopolitical events, including the current wars, and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the risks and uncertainties related to or resulting from these events could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or the closing of the Business Combination, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these risks and uncertainties.

 

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Certain information or footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of a normal recurring nature, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, operating results and cash flows for the period presented.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on June 17, 2024 (the “Annual Report”). The accompanying condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024 or for any future periods.

 

14


 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply on on-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the 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. 

  

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had $2,950 and $30,850 in cash and did not have any cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

 

Cash and Investments Held in Trust Account

 

In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account are now maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation. Prior to liquidating the money market funds, the Company’s portfolio of investments was comprised primarily of U.S. Treasury securities. The Company classified its money market funds as trading securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320, “Investments-Debt Securities.” Trading securities are presented on the balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities is included in interest income from Trust Account in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the assets held in the Trust Account were $17,973,163 and $24,782,259, respectively.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has not experienced losses on this account and management believes the Company could be exposed to significant risks on the funds held in trust account.

 

15


 

Fair Value Measurements

 

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”), 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. ASC 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 certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC 820, approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheets. The fair values of prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and due to related party are estimated to approximate the carrying values as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 due to the short maturities of such instruments. 

 

Offering Costs Associated with IPO

 

The Company complies with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99, “Other Assets and Deferred Costs – SEC Materials,” and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A, “Expenses of Offering”. Offering costs consist principally of underwriting fees, professional fees and registration fees that are related to the IPO. FASB ASC 470-20, “Debt with Conversion and Other Options,” addresses the allocation of proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt into its equity and debt components. The Company applies this guidance to allocate IPO proceeds from the Units between Class A ordinary shares and warrants, using the residual method by allocating IPO proceeds first to fair value of the warrants and then the Class A ordinary shares.

 

Offering costs in the aggregate of $16,236,137 were charged to shareholders’ equity (deficit) (consisting of $5,724,193 in underwriting fees, $10,017,338 in deferred underwriting fees, and $494,606 in other offering costs), and offering costs in the aggregate of $795,046 were recorded as other income (loss) (consisting of $275,807 in underwriting fees, $482,662 in deferred underwriting fees, and $36,577 in other offering costs) during the three months ended March 31, 2021. On August 10, 2023, the underwriter waived its entitlement to the deferred underwriting fees, see Note 10.

 

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

 

The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to possible redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, all ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of the Company’s balance sheets.

 

In connection with the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on February 14, 2023, holders of 27,785,141 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.18 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $282,903,643.

 

16


 

In connection with the votes taken at the Second Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders held on February 16, 2024, holders of an additional 641,303 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.29 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $7,241,004. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on February 22, 2024.

 

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Class A ordinary shares reflected in the balance sheets are reconciled in the following table:

 

    Shares     Amount  
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2022     30,000,000     $ 304,086,289  
Add: Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption           2,774,613  
Add: Accretion of extension deposit to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption           825,000  
Less: Class A ordinary shares redeemed, including interest     (27,785,141 )     (282,903,643 )
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of December 31, 2023     2,214,859       24,782,259  
Add: Accretion of interest income to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption           262,495  
Add: Accretion of extension deposit to Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption           169,413  
Less: Class A ordinary shares redeemed, including interest     (641,303 )     (7,241,004 )
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption as of March 31, 2024     1,573,556     $ 17,973,163  

  

Convertible Promissory Notes

 

The Company elected to account for the Convertible Promissory Notes (which include the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Notes) entered into with the Sponsor pursuant to the fair value option under ASC 825. ASC 825-10-15-4 provides for the “fair value option” election, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by ASC 825-10-15-5, to be afforded to financial instruments, wherein the financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. Differences between the face value of the Convertible Promissory Notes and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the condensed statement of operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Any material changes in the estimated fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes are recognized as non-cash gains or losses in the statements of operations. The Company believes that the fair value option better reflects the underlying economics of the Convertible Promissory Notes. As such, the Convertible Promissory Notes were initially measured at $1,047,673 as of the issue dates (including $569,889 under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and $477,784 under the Extension Notes). For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, $80,484 and $263,626 excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statements of shareholders’ deficit, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes was $755,112 and $675,934, respectively, under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the fair value of the convertible promissory note was $637,856 and $491,502, respectively, under the Extension Notes, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $41,955 and $234, respectively, attributable to the change in fair value of the Convertible Promissory Notes and unrealized loss of $52,018 and $667, respectively, attributable to the change in fair value of Working Capital Loan, respectively, in the condensed statements of operations.

 

Capital Contribution Note

 

The Company elected to account for the Capital Contribution Note entered into with Polar and the Sponsor (the March 2023 Subscription Agreement) on March 9, 2023, pursuant to the fair value option under ASC 825. ASC 825-10-15-4 provides for the “fair value option” election, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by ASC 825-10-15-5, to be afforded to financial instruments, wherein the financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. Differences between the face value of the Capital Contribution Note and fair value at issuance are recognized as either an expense in the condensed statement of operations (if issued at a premium) or as a capital contribution (if issued at a discount). Any material changes in the estimated fair value of the Capital Contribution Note are recognized as non-cash gains or losses in the statements of operations. The Company believes that the fair value option better reflects the underlying economics of the Capital Contribution Note. The fair value of the Capital Contribution Note will include both the fair value of the 300,000 shares in consideration for the Capital Calls as described in Note 7 and the principal as of each reporting date. As such, the Capital Contribution Note was initially measured at $1,359,720 as of the issue date (March 24, 2023 and May 24, 2023). The $nil and $1,104,618 excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance was recorded in the accompanying statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Capital Contribution Note was $2,418,829 and $2,200,291, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $218,538 and $4,130 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Capital Contribution Note in the condensed statements of operations.

 

17


 

October 2023 Subscription Agreement 

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement (as defined in Note 8) under ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and concluded that, (i) the Subscription Shares (as defined in Note 8) issuable under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are not required to be accounted for as a liability under ASC 480 or ASC 815, (ii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Subscription Share feature(s) (i.e., derivative instrument) is not necessary under ASC 815-15-25, and (iii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination (as defined in Note 8) feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 470 “Debt” and concluded that, the Subscription Shares are representative of an equity classified freestanding financial instrument issued in a bundled transaction with a loan which is representative of a liability classified freestanding financial instrument which contains a derivative instrument which is required to be bifurcated and classified and accounted for as a derivative liability measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded within the accompanying statements of operations. As a result, the Company recorded the October 2023 Subscription Agreement using the with-and-without method of accounting combined with the relative fair value method of accounting when allocating the proceeds received under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, as required under ASC 470.

 

Warrant Liability

 

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value on the grant date and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative liabilities are classified in the balance sheets as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

 

The Company accounts for the warrants issued in connection with the IPO and the private placement in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40. Such guidance provides that because the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment thereunder, each warrant must be recorded as a liability. Accordingly, the Company classified each warrant as a liability at its fair value. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each reporting periods. With each such re-measurement, the warrant liability will be adjusted to fair value, with the change in fair value recognized in the Company’s statements of operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 15,333,333 public and private warrants outstanding (not including the 1,447,747 and 1,306,385 warrants as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes).

  

Net Loss Per Share

 

The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. As of March 31, 2024, the 15,333,333 potential ordinary shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock, the 1,447,747 potential ordinary shares for the warrants that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes, to purchase the Company’s stock, the 330,000 potential ordinary shares (as discussed above and as described in Note 7) and the 750,000 Subscription Shares (as defined in Note 8) that will be issued to Polar at the Closing were excluded from diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 because the warrants and the shares that will be issued to Polar are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As of March 31, 2023, the 15,333,333 potential ordinary shares for outstanding warrants to purchase the Company’s stock, 285,709 potential ordinary shares for the warrants that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes, to purchase the Company’s stock, the 320,000 potential ordinary shares (including 20,000 shares in consideration of the $200,000 principal amount outstanding under the Capital Contribution Note, if Polar elects to receive shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00, and 300,000 shares in consideration of the Capital Calls as described in Note 7) were excluded from diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 because the warrants and the shares that will be issued to Polar are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for the periods. In addition, any shares subject to forfeiture are not included in the weighted average shares outstanding until the forfeiture restrictions lapse.

 

18


 

The table below presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used to compute basic and diluted net income per share for each class of ordinary shares. Because the redemption value of the Class A ordinary shares approximates their fair value, remeasurement to redemption value is not impacting allocable earnings.

 

    For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2024     2023  
    Class A     Class B     Class A     Class B  
Basic and diluted net loss per share:                                
Numerator:                                
Allocation of net loss   $ (492,369 )   $ (1,938,684 )   $ (130,024 )   $ (58,307 )
Denominator:                                
Weighted-average shares outstanding     1,904,778       7,500,000       16,724,877       7,500,000  
Basic and diluted net loss per share   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement 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.

 

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s management determined that the Cayman Islands and Singapore are the Company’s only major tax jurisdictions. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

 

There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the Government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with federal income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company, but rather on the individual owners. United States (“U.S.”) taxation would occur on the individual owners if certain tax elections are made by U.S. owners and the Company were treated as a passive foreign investment company. Additionally, U.S. taxation could occur to the Company itself if the Company is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. The Company is not expected to be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business at this time.

  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity” (“ASU 2020-06”), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2024 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company has adopted this guidance on January 1, 2024 and there was no material impact to its condensed financial statements.

 

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 financial statements and disclosures.

 

The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on these financial statements.

 

19


 

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

 

On February 17, 2021, the Company sold 30,000,000 Units, including the issuance of 2,500,000 Units as a result of the underwriter’s partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit. The over-allotment option covering an additional 1,625,000 Units expired on March 28, 2021. Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share, and one-third of one warrant to purchase one Class A ordinary share. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. Each whole warrant will become exercisable on the later of 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination or 12 months from the closing of the IPO, February 17, 2021, and will expire five years after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

Following the closing of the IPO on February 17, 2021, an amount of $300,000,000 ($10.00 per Unit) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants was placed in the Trust Account and was invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act that invests only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. In March 2023, the Company liquidated the money market funds held in the Trust Account. The funds in the Trust Account are now maintained in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank until the earlier of consummation of the initial Business Combination and liquidation.

 

Warrants

 

As of March 31, 2024, there were 10,000,000 public warrants and 5,333,333 Private Placement Warrants outstanding (not including the 1,447,747 warrants that could be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes). Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed herein. In addition, if (x) the Company issues additional Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing of the initial Business Combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per Class A ordinary share (with such issue price or effective issue price to be determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors and in the case of any such issuance to the Sponsor or its affiliates, without taking into account any Founder Shares held by the Sponsor or such affiliates, as applicable, prior to such issuance (the “Newly Issued Price”), (y) the aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for the funding of the initial Business Combination on the date of the consummation of the initial Business Combination (net of redemptions), and (z) the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares during the 20 trading day period starting on the trading day prior to the day on which the Company consummates its initial Business Combination (such price, the “Market Value”) is below $9.20 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $18.00 per share redemption trigger price (discussed below) will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to 180% of the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price, and the $10.00 per share redemption trigger price (discussed below) will be adjusted (to the nearest cent) to be equal to the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price.

 

The warrants will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of its initial Business Combination, and will expire five years after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.

 

The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 20 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to become effective within 60 business days after the closing of the initial Business Combination, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement and a current prospectus relating to those Class A ordinary shares until the warrants expire or are redeemed, as specified in the warrant agreement; provided that, if the Company’s Class A ordinary shares are at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that they satisfy the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of public warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. If a registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the 60th day after the closing of the initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption, but the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of Class A ordinary shares equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) less the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Class A ordinary shares for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

 

20


 

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $18.00.

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants (except as described herein with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

 

in whole and not in part;

 

  at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

  upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder; and

 

  if, and only if, the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three trading days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

 

Redemption of warrants when the price per Class A ordinary share equals or exceeds $10.00.

 

Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

  in whole and not in part;

 

  at a price of $0.10 per warrant upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, provided that holders will be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares;

 

  if, and only if, the closing price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $10.00 per public share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant) for any 20 trading days within the 30-trading day period ending three trading days before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders; and

 

  if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders is less than $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a warrant), the Private Placement Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding public warrants.

 

The warrant agreement contains an alternative issuance provision that if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of the ordinary shares in the Business Combination is payable in the form of ordinary shares in the successor entity, and if the holders of the warrants properly exercise the warrants within thirty days following the public disclosure of the consummation of the Business Combination by the Company, the warrant price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference (but in no event less than zero) of (i) the warrant price in effect prior to such reduction minus (ii) (A) the Per Share Consideration (as defined below) minus (B) the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined below). The “Black-Scholes Warrant Value” means the value of a warrant immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Model for a Capped American Call on Bloomberg Financial Markets. “Per Share Consideration” means (i) if the consideration paid to holders of the ordinary shares consists exclusively of cash, the amount of such cash per ordinary share, and (ii) in all other cases, the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares as reported during the ten-trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the Business Combination.

 

The Company believes that the adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants is based on a variable that is not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option as defined under FASB ASC Topic No. 815–40, and thus the warrants are not eligible for an exception from derivative accounting.

 

The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that the Company record a derivative liability at fair value upon the closing of the IPO. The warrants were allocated a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Units equal to their fair value determined by the Monte Carlo simulation. The Company will reassess the classification at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the warrants will be reclassified as of the date of the event that causes the reclassification. If no events occurred during the period, the warrants will not be reclassified. The fair value of the liabilities is re-measured at the end of every reporting period and the change in fair value is reported in the statements of operations as a gain or loss on derivative financial instruments.  

 

21


 

NOTE 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENT

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 5,333,333 Private Placement Warrants at a purchase price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $8,000,000. The fair value of the warrants as of the IPO was $1.38 per warrant, for a total initial fair value of $7,375,280. The excess of cash received over the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants was $624,720 and was reflected in additional paid-in capital on the statements of changes in shareholders’ deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants were added to the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless.

 

The Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination and they will not be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees. The Sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise the Private Placement Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the units being sold in the IPO.

 

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Founder Shares

 

On December 28, 2020, the Sponsor paid $25,000, or approximately $0.003 per share, to cover certain offering costs in consideration for 7,187,500 Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001. On February 11, 2021, the Company effected a share capitalization resulting in the Sponsor holding an additional 718,750 Class B ordinary shares for an aggregate of 7,906,250 Class B ordinary shares including up to 1,031,250 Founder Shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor depending on the extent to which the underwriter’s over-allotment option was exercised. On February 17, 2021, J.P. Morgan partially exercised its over-allotment option, hence, 625,000 Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture. At March 28, 2021, the over-allotment option expired, hence the 406,250 Class B ordinary shares were forfeited. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 7,500,000 Founder Shares issued and outstanding (see Note 12).

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and executive officers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees and under certain circumstances) until the earlier to occur of: (i) one year after the completion of the initial Business Combination, or (ii) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction after the initial Business Combination that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (the “lock-up”).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the initial Business Combination or (2) if the Company consummates a transaction after the initial Business Combination which results in the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Founder Shares will be released from the lock-up.

 

The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and executive officers have also agreed not to transfer any of their Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) until 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination.

  

22


 

Due to Related Party

 

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount due to related party was $271,366 and $241,366, respectively, which mainly consisted of the unpaid portion of the administrative service fee described below. 

 

Convertible Promissory Notes  

 

On February 14, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2023 Extension Note” and, together with the “2024 Extension Note No. 1” and “2024 Extension Note No. 2” as described below, the “Extension Notes”. The Extension Notes, together with the “1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note” as described below, the “Convertible Promissory Notes”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $900,000 (the “2023 Extension Note”) from the Sponsor. Pursuant to the Extension Note, from February 17, 2023 to February 17, 2024 or such earlier date as is determined by the Company’s board of directors, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s Trust Account the lesser of (i) $75,000 or (ii) $0.0375 for each unredeemed public share, for each month (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month) until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve the Business Combination, and (ii) the date that $900,000 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants (the “2023 Extension Loan Warrants”) to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the Private Placement Warrants that were issued in connection with the IPO. The terms of the 2023 Extension Loan Warrants will be identical to those of the Private Placement Warrants. The 2023 Extension Loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of (a) the consummation of the Company’s initial merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities and (b) the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the Extension Loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2023 Extension Note).

 

On March 27, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Extension Note No. 1”), dated as of February 17, 2024, to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $141,620 from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through May 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $47,206.68 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $141,620.04 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 1 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1).

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued the 2024 Extension Note No. 2 to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $122,839.38 (the “2024 Extension Loan No. 2”) from the Sponsor, consisting of the aggregate amount of the potential extensions of the Business Combination through August 17, 2024. Pursuant to the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Sponsor has agreed to deposit into the Company’s trust account established in connection with its initial public offering cash in the amount of $40,946.46 per monthly Extension (or a pro rata portion thereof if less than a month), and the Company has agreed that the amount of each such deposit shall constitute a loan, until the earlier of (i) the date of the extraordinary general meeting held in connection with a shareholder vote to approve an initial business combination, and (ii) the date that $122,839.38 has been loaned. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the warrants issued to the Sponsor in the private placement that closed on February 17, 2021 in connection with the initial public offering. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the private placement warrants. The 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the 2024 Extension Loan No. 2 may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2).

 

23


 

Company has elected to accounts for the Extension Notes using the fair value method, with the changes of fair value at each reporting period recorded in the condensed statements of operations. As of March 31, 2024, an aggregate of $994,413 was drawn under the Extension Notes (including $900,000 under the 2023 Extension Note and $94,413 under 2024 Extension Note No. 1), with an initial fair value of $477,784 at the issuance dates (including $417,428 under the 2023 Extension Note and $60,356 under 2024 Extension Note No. 1). Since issuance, the difference of $516,629, between the draws of $994,413 and the fair value at the issuance dates of $477,784; of this amount, $80,484 was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying statement of changes in shareholders’ deficit for the three months ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the Extension Notes were presented at its fair value of $637,856 (including $577,296 under the 2023 Extension Note and $60,560 under 2024 Extension Note No. 1), as Convertible Promissory Note on the accompanying condensed balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, $825,000 was drawn under the Extension Note (including $825,000 under the 2023 Extension Note), with an initial fair value of $373,385 at the issuance dates. The difference of $451,615, between the withdrawals of $825,000 and the fair value at the issuance dates of $373,385, was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying condensed statement of changes in shareholders’ deficit for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Extension Note was presented at its fair value of $491,502, as Convertible Promissory Note on the accompanying condensed balance sheets (see Note 9).

 

Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company had received the entire $900,000 for the extension deposits under the 2023 Extension Note and $141,620 for the extension deposits under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1 and $81,893 for the extension deposits under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2.

 

On March 29, 2024, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “2024 Convertible Promissory Note”) to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $500,000 from the Sponsor for working capital purposes. Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to the same adjustments applicable to the private placement warrants. The terms of the warrants will be identical to those of the Private Placement Warrants. The loan will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination and the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note). As of March 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowing outstanding under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note. As of the issuance date of these financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $54,565 principal for working capital purposes under the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $41,955 and $234 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Extension Notes in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations.

 

Working Capital Loans

 

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes the initial Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds from the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. A portion of the Working Capital Loans, not to exceed $1,500,000, may be convertible into Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

 

On December 13, 2022, the Company issued an unsecured convertible promissory note under the Working Capital Loans to the Sponsor, pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $1,500,000 from the Sponsor (the “$1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note,” and together with the “Extension Note” as described above, the “Convertible Promissory Notes”). Such loan may, at the Sponsor’s discretion, be converted into Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant as described above. The $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note will not bear any interest, and will be repayable by the Company to the Sponsor, on a date that is the earlier of (a) the consummation of the Company’s initial merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities and (b) the liquidation of the Company. The maturity date of the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note). As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $1,177,208 and $1,134,578 were outstanding under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note. Up to the date that the financial statements were issued, the Company received a total of $1,500,000 for working capital purposes under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note.

 

24


 

The $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note was valued using the fair value method, with the changes of fair value at each reporting period recorded in statement of operations. As of March 31, 2024, $1,177,208 was drawn down under such loan, with an initial fair value of $569,889 at the issuance dates. As of March 31, 2024, the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note was presented at its fair value of $755,112 as Working Capital Loan on the accompanying condensed balance sheets. As of December 31, 2023, $1,134,578 was drawn down under such loan, with an initial fair value of $542,729 at the issuance dates. As of December 31, 2023, the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note was presented at its fair value of $675,934 as Working Capital Loan on the accompanying condensed balance sheets.

 

For three months ended of March 31, 2024, the difference of $15,470, between the draw of $42,630 and the fair value at the drawn down dates of $27,160, was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of shareholder’s deficit. For three months ended of March 31, 2023, the difference of $171,436, between the draw of $278,564 and the fair value at the drawn down dates of $107,128, was recorded in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of shareholder’s deficit.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $52,018 and $667 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note in the accompanying unaudited condensed statement of operations, respectively.

  

Administrative Service Fee

 

The Company has agreed, commencing on the date the securities of the Company were first listed on the NYSE, to pay the Sponsor $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services provided to members of the Company’s management team. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred $30,000 in expenses in connection with such services. All such expenses were recorded in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, administrative service fees of $270,935 and $240,935 was unpaid and are included in due to related party on the accompanying condensed balance sheets. Upon completion of the initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees.

 

NOTE 6. NOTE RECEIVABLE

 

On October 27, 2023, the Company and Crown entered into a promissory note (“Promissory Note”) whereby the Company agreed to provide a loan in the principal amount of $750,000 to Crown to fund working capital until the Closing. Crown has agreed to repay the $750,000 to the Company within ten (10) business days of the Company providing Crown with written notice of demand after the Closing. In the event the Business Combination Agreement is terminated or the Business Combination does not close by February 17, 2024 (which was subsequently extended to June 17, 2024, and then to June 28, 2024), Crown has agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred to the Company within ten (10) business days of the termination, (A) $1,750,000 in cash; or (B) solely at the discretion and election of the Company, $1,000,000 in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s common equity equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common equity (on a fully diluted basis) as of the date of the termination. This agreement was entered into concurrently with the October 2023 Subscription Agreement (as defined and discussed further in Note 8). On October 30, 2023, the Company advanced $750,000 to Crown.

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 320 “Investments – Debt Securities” and concluded that, bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company recorded a held to maturity asset in the amount of $750,000 which is representative of the amortized cost of the Note Receivable and recorded a corresponding Derivative Asset – Note Receivable in the amount of $2,667,828. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of Derivative Asset – Note Receivable was $2,392,590 and $2,689,364, respectively. For the three month ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an unrealized loss in the amount of $296,774 associated with changes in the fair value of the Derivative Asset - Note Receivable. Further, the Note Receivable was issued at a discount of $750,000, which was fully accreted to the Note Receivable balance immediately as it occurred.

 

To value the Derivative Asset – Note Receivable upon issuance, the Company used a probability weighted expected return model (“PWER model”) that values the October 2023 Subscription Agreement based on future projections of the various potential outcomes. The embedded options were valued using a Black Scholes model. The derivative value was determined on a with and without basis. The key inputs for PWER model were further disclosed in Note 9.

 

25


 

NOTE 7. CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION NOTE

 

On March 9, 2023, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “March 2023 Subscription Agreement”) with the Sponsor and Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund (“Polar”), pursuant to which the Sponsor sought to raise $1,200,000 to fund the extension and to provide working capital to the Company. The Sponsor committed to fund $900,000 of this amount through the Extension Note described in Note 5 above and Polar agreed to provide the remaining $300,000 (the “Capital Contribution Note”). The Company will request funds from the Sponsor for working capital purposes (“Drawdown Request”). Upon at least five (5) calendar days’ prior written notice, the Sponsor may require a drawdown from Polar against the capital commitment in order to meet 25% of the Sponsor’s commitment to the Company under a Drawdown Request (“Capital Call”). In consideration of the Capital Call(s) made hereunder, the Company will issue 300,000 Class A ordinary shares to Polar at the Closing. Any amounts funded by the Sponsor to the Company under a Drawdown Request shall not accrue interest and shall be promptly repaid by the Company to the Sponsor upon the Closing. Following receipt of such sums from the Company, and in any event within five (5) business days of the Closing, the Sponsor or the Company shall pay Polar an amount equal to Capital Calls funded under the March 2023 Subscription Agreement (the “Business Combination Payment”). The Company and Sponsor are jointly and severally obligated to make the Business Combination Payment to Polar. Polar may elect at the Closing to receive such Business Combination Payment in cash or Class A ordinary shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00 of the Capital Calls funded under the March 2023 Subscription Agreement. If the Company liquidates without consummating a Business Combination, any amounts remaining in the Sponsor or the Company’s cash accounts after paying any outstanding third party invoices (excluding any due to the Sponsor), not including the Company’s Trust Account, will be paid to Polar within five (5) days of the liquidation.

 

The Company treated the Capital Contribution Note as a debt instrument and measured it with fair value method, and records changes of fair value at each reporting period in the condensed statement of operations. The fair value of the Capital Contribution Note will include both the fair value of the 300,000 shares in consideration for the Capital Calls and the principal as of each reporting date. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Capital Contribution Note was presented at its fair value of $2,418,829 and $2,200,291 on the accompanying unaudited condensed balance sheets, respectively.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $nil and $1,104,618 unrealized loss on excess of fair value of Capital Contribution Note over proceeds at issuance in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations, respectively.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $218,538 and $4,130 unrealized loss on fair value changes of the Capital Contribution Note in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations, respectively.

 

NOTE 8. SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT–- POLAR

 

On October 25, 2023, the Company, the Sponsor and Polar entered into an additional (see Note 7) subscription agreement (the “October 2023 Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which Polar agreed to fund a capital contribution of $750,000 (the “SPAC Loan”), without interest, to the Company and in consideration thereof, the Company agreed to issue or cause PubCo to issue 750,000 Class A ordinary shares (the “Subscription Shares”) to Polar at the Closing. The Sponsor and the Company, jointly and severally, agreed to promptly repay the $750,000 to Polar within five (5) business days of the Closing. In the event that: (i) the Business Combination Agreement is terminated or (ii) the Business Combination does not close by June 28, 2024 (or such other date as the parties to the Business Combination Agreement shall agree) (the “Termination”), the Sponsor and the Company, jointly and severally, agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred to Polar within ten business days of the Termination, (A) $1,750,000 in cash; or (B) solely at the discretion and election of Polar, $1,000,000 in cash and, a number of shares of Crown’s common equity equal to 1.5% of its outstanding common equity (on a fully diluted basis) as of the date of Termination (either (A) or (B) above, the “Catcha Termination Payment”). If a Catcha Termination Payment is not made within ten business days of the Termination, the Sponsor and the Company agreed to transfer, or cause to be transferred, warrants that entitle Polar to purchase a number of shares of Crown’ common equity equal to 0.30 percent per annum of the outstanding Crown common equity (on a fully-diluted basis) at exercise, for a price per share of $0.01 (the “Crown Warrants”), accruing monthly (for each month from the date of the Termination until the time that Polar receives the full amount of the Catcha Termination Payment, so that for each such month, a Crown Warrant shall be issued to Polar for a number of shares equal to the total number of shares of outstanding common equity of Crown on a fully diluted basis multiplied by 0.00025). The Crown Warrants are exercisable pursuant to terms set forth in the October 2023 Subscription Agreement. On October 26, 2023, the Company received $750,000 under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement.

 

The Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and concluded that, (i) the Subscription Shares issuable under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are not required to be accounted for as a liability under ASC 480 or ASC 815, (ii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Subscription Share feature(s) (i.e., derivative instrument) is not necessary under ASC 815-15-25, and (iii) bifurcation of a single derivative that comprises all of the fair value of the Termination feature (i.e., derivative instrument) is necessary under ASC 815-15-25. As a result, the Company analyzed the October 2023 Subscription Agreement under ASC 470 “Debt” and concluded that, the Subscription Shares are representative of an equity classified freestanding financial instrument issued in a bundled transaction with a SPAC Loan which is representative of liability classified freestanding financial instrument which contains a derivative instrument which is required to be bifurcated and classified and accounted for as a derivative liability measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value recorded within the accompanying statements of operations (hereinafter, the “Derivative Liability – Note Payable”). As a result, the Company recorded the October 2023 Subscription Agreement using the with-and-without method of accounting combined with the relative fair value method of accounting when allocating the proceeds received under the October 2023 Subscription Agreement, as required under ASC 470. On October 25, 2023, the date of issuance, the fair value of the Subscription Shares was $4,917,967, the fair value of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable was $2,667,828, and the fair value of the Derivative Asset – Note Receivable (see Note 6) was $2,667,828. As March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable was $2,392,590 and $2,689,364, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an unrealized gain in the amount of $296,774 associated with changes in the fair value of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable. Further, the Note Payable was issued at a discount of $750,000, which was fully accreted to the Note Payable balance immediately as it occurred.

 

To value the Derivative Liability – Note Payable upon issuance, the Company used a probability weighted expected return model (“PWER model”) that values the October 2023 Subscription Agreement based on future projections of the various potential outcomes. The embedded options were valued using a Black Scholes model. The derivative value was determined on a with and without basis. The key inputs for PWER model were further disclosed in Note 9.

26


 

NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The following tables presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

 

    March 31,
2024
    Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:                        
Derivative Asset — Note Receivable   $ 2,392,590     $     $     $ 2,392,590  
Liabilities:                                
Warrant Liability–Public Warrants     1,000,000             1,000,000        
Warrant Liability–Private Placement Warrants     533,333             533,333        
Working Capital Loans     755,112                   755,112  
Convertible Promissory Note     637,856                   637,856  
Capital Contribution Note     2,418,829                   2,418,829  
Derivative Liability — Note Payable     2,392,590                   2,392,590  
Total   $ 7,737,720     $     $ 1,533,333     $ 6,204,387  

 

    December 31,
2023
    Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:                        
Derivative Asset — Note Receivable   $ 2,689,364     $     $     $ 2,689,364  
Liabilities:                                
Warrant Liability–Public Warrants     400,000             400,000        
Warrant Liability–Private Placement Warrants     221,969             221,969        
Working Capital Loans     675,934                   675,934  
Convertible Promissory Note     491,502                   491,502  
Capital Contribution Note     2,200,291                   2,200,291  
Derivative Liability — Note Payable     2,689,364                   2,689,364  
Total   $ 6,679,060     $     $ 621,969     $ 6,057,091  

  

The Derivative Asset — Note Receivable, warrants, Working Capital Loans, the Extension Notes, the Capital Contribution Note and the October 2023 Subscription Agreement are accounted for as assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within Derivative Asset — Note Receivable, warrant liabilities, Working Capital Loans, Convertible Promissory Note, Capital Contribution Note and Derivative Liability — Note Payable, respectively, in the accompanying condensed balance sheets. The warrant liabilities, Working Capital Loans, Convertible Promissory Note, Capital Contribution Note and Derivative Liability — Note Payable are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes in fair value presented in the statements of operations. The excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance was recorded as additional paid-in capital in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of shareholders’ equity. The excess of fair value over proceeds at issuance was recorded as expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations.

 

27


 

Derivative Asset — Note Receivable

 

Valuation of the Derivative Asset — Note Receivable was determined using a Black -Scholes model with the remaining term, associated risk -free rate, share price, comparable guideline company volatility and no expected dividends. The key inputs for Black -Scholes model at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
Risk-free interest rate     5.50 %     5.50 %
Estimated Term (years)     0.25       0.13  
Expected volatility     30.6 %     38.1 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.29     $ 11.13  
Fair Value of 1.5% Shares of Crown     6,606,000       6,606,000  
Exercise Price   $ 750,000     $ 750,000  

 

The fair value of 1.5% Shares of Crown is based on a $600 million equity value of a 100% interest in Crown. The Company adjusted this value based on a discount of 26.6% for lack of marketability.

 

Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 for the Derivative Asset — Note Receivable was as follows:

 

    Crown  
Fair value of the Derivative Asset — Note Receivable as of December 31, 2023   $ 2,689,364  
Change in fair value at March 31, 2024     (296,774 )
Fair value of the Derivative Asset — Note Receivable as of March 31, 2024   $ 2,392,590  

 

Warrant Liability

 

The Company’s public and private warrant liabilities were valued using a Monte Carlo simulation at issuance date utilizing management judgment and pricing inputs from the quoted underlying ordinary shares. Significant deviations from these estimates and inputs could result in a material change in fair value. The fair value of the public and private warrant liabilities was initially classified as Level 3.

 

On November 4, 2022, the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) notified the Company, and publicly announced, that the NYSE determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share and listed to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “CHAA WS”, from the NYSE and that trading in the warrants would be suspended immediately, due to “abnormally low” trading price levels pursuant to Section 802.01D of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The public warrants began to trade over-the counter (OTC) since then.

 

On March 23, 2023, the Company received approval to transfer the listing of Class A ordinary shares from the NYSE to the NYSE American and on March 28, 2023, the Class A ordinary shares began trading on the NYSE American under the symbol “CHAA”. In connection with the transfer, effective March 28, 2023, any remaining units were mandatorily separated into their component parts and the units are no longer traded on the NYSE.

 

The fair value of the public warrant liability was classified as Level 1 as of December 31, 2022 due to it publicly trading on NYSE. As of December 31, 2023, the fair value of the public warrant liability was re-classified as Level 2 due to the insufficient trading volume.

 

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Private Placement Warrants were valued using a Monte Carlo model using the quoted underlying public warrants. Due to the observable inputs in the fair value estimation of the Private Placement Warrants, these inputs were classified as Level 2 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 

 

The key inputs used in the Monte Carlo simulation for the Private Placement Warrants as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
Public Warrant Price     0.100       0.040  
Risk-free interest rate     5.23 %     5.17 %
Expected term (years)     5.25       5.13  
Expected volatility     de minimis %     1.4 %
Stock price   $ 11.29     $ 11.13  
Exercise price   $ 11.50     $ 11.50  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     65 %     60 %

 

28


 

Convertible Promissory Notes (Extension Notes and Working Capital Loan)

 

Valuation of the Convertible Promissory Notes (which includes the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Note) was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the estimated timing of the initial business combination and classified as a Level 3 valuation. The key inputs or weighted average inputs, as applicable, for discounted cash flow analysis at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
Risk-free interest rate for warrant     4.21 %     3.84 %
Risk-free interest rate for debt     5.46 %     5.54 %
Term of Debt Conversion (years)     0.25       0.13  
Term of Warrant Conversion (years)     5.00       5.00  
Expected volatility     0.1 %     1.4 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.29     $ 11.13  
Exercise price of Warrants   $ 11.5     $ 11.5  
Strike Price of Debt Conversion   $ 1.5     $ 1.5  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     65 %     60 %

 

Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 for the Convertible Promissory Notes (which include the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the Extension Note) was as follows:

 

    Extension
Note
    Working
Capital
Loan
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2023   $ 491,502     $ 675,934  
Proceeds from Convertible Promissory Notes     169,413       42,630  
Excess of proceeds over fair value at issuance     (65,014 )     (15,470 )
Change in fair value     41,955       52,018  
Fair value as of March 31, 2024   $ 637,856     $ 755,112  

 

Capital Contribution Note

 

Valuation of the Capital Contribution Note was determined using a Probability Weighted Expected Return Method (“PWERM”) and classified as a Level 3 valuation. The PWERM is a multistep process in which value is estimated based on the probability -weighted present value of various future outcomes. The key inputs or weighted average inputs, as applicable, for PWERM at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
Risk-free interest rate     5.50 %     5.5 %
Estimated Term (years)     0.25       0.13  
Expected volatility     1.0 %     1.4 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.29     $ 11.13  
Likelihood of Completing a Business Combination     65 %     60 %
Consideration for the Capital Call(s)- in shares     300,000       300,000  

 

29


 

Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 for the Capital Contribution Note was as follows: 

 

    Polar  
Fair value of the Capital Contribution Note as of December 31, 2023   $ 2,200,291  
Change in fair value     218,538  
Fair value of the Capital Contribution Note as of March 31, 2024   $ 2,418,829  

 

Derivative Liability — Note Payable

 

Valuation of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable was determined using a Black -Scholes model with the remaining term, associated risk -free rate, share price, comparable guideline company volatility and no expected dividends. The key inputs for Black -Scholes model at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Input   March 31,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
Risk-free interest rate     5.50 %     5.5 %
Estimated Term (years)     0.25       0.31  
Expected volatility     30.6 %     38.1 %
Iterated/Market Stock price   $ 11.29     $ 11.13  
Fair Value of 1.5% Shares of Crown     6,606,000       6,606,000  
Exercise Price   $ 750,000     $ 750,000  

 

The fair value of 1.5% Shares of Crown is based on a $600 million equity value of a 100% interest in Crown. The Company adjusted this value based on a discount of 26.6% for lack of marketability.

 

Activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 for the Derivative Liability — Note Payable was as follows:

 

    Polar  
Fair value of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable as of December 31, 2023   $ 2,689,364  
Change in fair value at March 31, 2024     (296,774 )
Fair value of the Derivative Liability — Note Payable as of March 31, 2024   $ 2,392,590  

 

NOTE 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of the Founder Shares, the Class A ordinary shares that will be issued to Polar at Closing, the Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and the Extension Note (and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and the Extension Note) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration and shareholder rights agreement. The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that the Company registers such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the Company’s completion of its initial Business Combination. However, the registration and shareholder rights agreement provide that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, and (ii) in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the respective Class A ordinary shares underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The underwriter of the IPO was entitled to a deferred underwriting fee of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the IPO, or $10,500,000, held in the Trust Account upon the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The deferred underwriting fee was included as a liability on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2022.

 

On August 10, 2023, J.P. Morgan waived its entitlement to the payment of $10,500,000 deferred underwriting fee in connection with its role as underwriter in the Company’s IPO. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan had no role in connection with the Business Combination.

 

30


 

Advisory Agreements

 

On March 14, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Chardan Capital Markets, LLC (“Chardan”) for Chardan to act as exclusive capital markets technical advisor with respect to an event of a stock exchange demand for action by the Company at a time other than the initial closing of a business combination involving the Company and a target or targets. The agreement calls for Chardan to receive a fee of $175,000 at the signing of the agreement, a fee of $175,000 no later than 10 calendar days after Chardan informs the Company of the documented completion of the technical advisory activities and a deferred fee of $275,000 at the earlier of (i) the closing of a Business Combination from the closing flow-of-funds or (ii) upon the liquidation of the Trust Account if the Company has not consummated a Business Combination. For the period ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company recorded $0 and $625,000 of such advisory service fee in the accompanying statement of operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had paid $350,000 to Chardan and the total unpaid amounts to Chardan was $275,000, which was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed balance sheets.

 

On March 26, 2023, the Company entered an agreement with Alumia SARL (“Alumia”) to act as a non-exclusive transactional and strategic capital markets advisor to the Company assisting with introductions and with respect to the Company’s potential Business Combination. The agreement calls for Alumia to receive simultaneously with the Closing of the Business Combination (a) a fee in the amount of $2,500,000 and (b) a fee of 4% multiplied by the dollar amount of any equity financing transactions which may be entered into by third party investors identified and introduced by Alumia prior to the Closing, regardless of whether the counterparty in the Business Combination was a subject target, payable upon the Closing. Alumia is currently not involved in the Company’s Business Combination transaction with Crown, and no fee is currently payable under this agreement.

 

On May 18, 2023, the Company engaged J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, acting through its Cohen & Company Capital Markets division (“CCM”), to act as its (i) capital markets advisor in connection with the Business Combination with Crown and (ii) placement agent in connection with a private placement of equity, equity-linked, convertible and/or debt securities (the “Securities”) or other capital or debt raising transaction (the “Offering”) in connection with the Business Combination. The Company shall pay CCM (i) an advisor fee in connection with the Business Combination in an amount equal to the sum of (I) $2,000,000 paid in full in U.S. dollars simultaneously with the Closing of the Business Combination and (II) 50,000 shares of common stock or equivalent equity (the “Shares”) of the publicly listed post-business combination company (collectively, the “Advisor Fee”) and (ii) a transaction fee in connection with the Offering of an amount equal to 7.0% of the sum of (A) the gross proceeds raised from investors and received by the Company or Crown simultaneously with or before the closing of the Offering plus (B) proceeds released from the Trust Account with respect to any shareholder of the Company that (x) entered into a non-redemption or other similar agreement or (y) did not redeem the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, in each instance to the extent such investor or shareholder under (A) and (B) above was identified to the Company by CCM, which shall be payable in U.S. dollars by the Company and due to CCM simultaneously with the closing of the Offering. The Shares shall be fully duly authorized, validly issued, paid and non-assessable and shall be registered for resale under the Act, or otherwise freely tradeable, as of the Closing of the Business Combination and will be delivered in book entry form in the name of and delivered to CCM (or its designee) at the Closing of the Business Combination. For the period ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not record any Advisory Fee.

 

NOTE 11. SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

Preference shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 preference shares with a par value of $0.0001 and with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no preference shares issued or outstanding.

 

Class A ordinary shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding, excluding 1,573,556 and 2,214,859 Class A ordinary shares, respectively, subject to possible redemption. The Class A ordinary shares that will be issued to Polar at the Closing, including 300,000 shares in consideration of Capital Calls as described in Note 7 and 30,000 shares (if Polar elects to receive shares at a rate of one Class A ordinary share for each $10.00 at the Closing) in consideration of the $300,000 withdrawal of the Capital Contribution Note and the 750,000 Subscription Shares (as defined in Note 8) as of March 31, 2024, were not shown as outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

 

31


 

Class B ordinary shares

 

The Company is authorized to issue a total of 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares at par value of $0.0001 per share. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were 7,500,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Holders of Class A ordinary shares and holders of Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders except as required by law. Unless specified in the Company’s third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Cayman Islands Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company’s ordinary shares that are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by its shareholders.

 

The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares (which such Class A ordinary shares delivered upon conversion will not have redemption rights or be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company does not consummate an initial Business Combination) at the time of the initial Business Combination or earlier at the option of the holders thereof at a ratio such that the number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of all Founder Shares will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, 20% of the sum of (i) the total number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding upon the completion of the IPO, plus (ii) the total number of Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any equity-linked securities or rights issued or deemed issued by the Company in connection with or in relation to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, excluding any Class A ordinary shares or equity-linked securities exercisable for or convertible into Class A ordinary shares issued, deemed issued or to be issued to any seller in the initial Business Combination and any Private Placement Warrants issued to the Sponsor, its affiliates or any member of the Company’s management team upon conversion of Working Capital Loans, unless the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Class B ordinary shares agree to waive such adjustment with respect to such issuance or deemed issuance at the time thereof. In no event will the Class B ordinary shares convert into Class A ordinary shares at a rate of less than one-to-one.

 

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were issued. Other than as described below or within these financial statements, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

Business Combination Agreement Amendments

 

On May 21, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 17, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination. The non-solicitation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement were amended to expire on May 31, 2024, unless Crown has received notice that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination on Nasdaq, NYSE American or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown.

 

On June 11, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 28, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

On June 12, 2024, Catcha held its Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders pursuant to which the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown. In connection with the votes taken at this Extraordinary General Meeting, Catcha has received elections from certain holders of our Class A ordinary shares to exercise their right to redeem their shares for cash. In connection with the votes taken at the Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting, as of the date of these financial statements, the holders of 1,143,847 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.61 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $13,274,625. As a result, following satisfaction of such redemptions as of the date of these financial statements, Catcha will have 221,035 Class A ordinary shares outstanding and the balance in the Trust Account would be approximately $2,565,165. As of the date of these financial statements, such elections are still within the time frame when such requests can be rescinded; thus the final redemption payout has not yet been determined.

 

32


 

Business Combination – Other Agreements

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes issuable upon closing of the Business Combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo ordinary shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

On June 13, 2024, PubCo and those certain investors to the April 2024 Notes entered into separate Note Subscription Agreement Updates to extend the date by which the subscription agreements with respect to the April 2024 Notes will terminate to June 28, 2024 if the closing of the sale of the notes has not occurred by such date.

 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with certain accredited investor (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and the Company entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placements with certain accredited investor who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

Securities Lending Agreement

 

On May 22, 2024, PubCo entered into a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with Millennia Capital Partners Limited (the “Lender”) pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million (the “Loan”) at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of 730,000 shares of Crown pledged to the Lender (“Transferred Collateral”). “Loan to Value” means the ratio of the Loan to the value of the Transferred Collateral, calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the fair market value of the Transferred Collateral. The Loan matures thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Lending Agreement) and bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0% to be paid quarterly.

 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”; together with the April 2024 Notes, the PIPE and the Securities Lending Agreement, the “Financing Agreements”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to approximately USD$20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”).

 

Non-Redemption Agreements

 

On June 20, 2024, Catcha entered into non-redemption agreements (the “Non-Redemption Agreements”) with one or more investors named therein (each, a “Backstop Investor”). Pursuant to the Non-Redemption Agreements, the Backstop Investors agreed that, on or prior to closing of the Business Combination, the Backstop Investors will rescind or reverse their previous election to redeem an aggregate of up to approximately 800,000 Catcha ordinary shares (the “Backstop Shares”), which redemption requests were made in connection with Catcha’s extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 12, 2024. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Catcha shall pay or cause to be paid to each Backstop Investor a payment in respect of its respective Backstop Shares in cash released from Catcha’s trust account. Catcha may enter into other non-redemption agreements with substantially similar terms with other investors or shareholders of Catcha.

 

33


 

Redemption and Extensions

 

On April 19, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 1, the Company deposited tranches of $47,207 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to May 17, 2024.

 

On May 10, 2024, the Company determined to postpone its extraordinary general meeting of shareholders relating to shareholder approval of the Company’s entry into a Business Combination Agreement and a related Merger and Plan of Merger (the “Business Combination Meeting”), from the previously scheduled date of May 15, 2024 to June 12, 2024. 

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company held another extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Third Extraordinary General Meeting”), at which the Company’s shareholders approved to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination from May 17, 2024 up to three times by one month each to June 17, 2024, July 17, 2024, or August 17, 2024, subject to that the Lender will deposit into the Trust Account for each month $0.03 for each then-outstanding ordinary share issued in the Company’s initial public offering that is not redeemed, in exchange for one or more non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to the Lender.

 

In connection with the votes taken at the Third Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, holders of 208,674 Class A ordinary shares of the Company properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $11.52 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $2,403,928. The funds were redeemed from the Trust Account on May 20, 2024. As a result, 1,364,882 Class A ordinary shares that subjection to possible redemption, amounting to approximately $15.7 million are still outstanding after the redemption.

 

On each of May 23, 2024 and June 20, 2024, using the proceeds received under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2, the Company deposited $40,946 into the Trust Account to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate the Business Combination to July 17, 2024.

 

Additional Financing 

 

On May 15, 2024, the Company issued a promissory note in the principal amount of up to $122,839 (the “2024 Extension Note No. 2”) to the Sponsor. The Note does not bear interest and matures upon closing of the Business Combination. If the Company completes the proposed Business Combination, it will repay the amounts loaned under the promissory notes or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory notes into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants issued to the Sponsor at the time of the Company’s initial public offering. If the Company does not complete the proposed Business Combination by the final applicable Extended Termination Date, such promissory notes will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account. Up to the date the financial statements were issued, the Company withdrew $81,893 under the 2024 Extension Note No. 2.

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2024 and up to the date the financial statements were issued, the Company withdrew $322,792 and $54,565 under the $1.5 Million Convertible Promissory Note and the 2024 Convertible Promissory Note, respectively for working capital purposes.

 

NYSE Notice

 

On April 17, 2024, the Company received a written notice from NYSE American indicating that the Company was not in compliance with NYSE American’s continued listing standards because the Company did not timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), which was due on April 16, 2024. The Company filed its Form 10-K on June 17, 2024.

 

In accordance with Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide, the Company will have six months from April 16, 2024 (the “Initial Cure Period”), to file the Form 10-K with the SEC. If the Company fails to file the Form 10-K during the Initial Cure Period, NYSE American may, in its sole discretion, provide an additional six-month cure period (the “Additional Cure Period”). The Company can regain compliance with the Exchange’s continued listing standards at any time during the Initial Cure Period or Additional Cure Period, as applicable, by filing the Form 10-K and any subsequent delayed filings with the SEC.

 

The Company has an NYSE appeal hearing scheduled for July 17, 2024.

 

Class B Ordinary Shares Conversion

 

On May 13, 2024, the Sponsor delivered notice of conversion of an aggregate of 7,350,350 Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares of the Company (the “Conversion”). The 7,350,350 Class B Shares, representing approximately 81% of the total issued and outstanding Class A Shares after the Conversion, issued in connection with the Conversion are subject to the same restrictions as applied to the Class B Shares before the Conversion, including, among others, certain transfer restrictions, waiver of redemption rights and the obligation to vote in favor of an initial business combination as further described in the Company’s definitive merger proxy statement/prospectus on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2024 (“Definitive Merger Proxy Statement”). Up to the date of the financial statements were issued, the outstanding Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are 8,715,232 and 149,650, respectively. The Company evaluated the effect of the Conversion and concluded that the Conversion has no impact to shareholders’ deficit.

 

 

34

 

EX-15.7 15 ea020814101ex15-7_crown.htm CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CROWN LNG HOLDING AS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022 AND FOR EACH OF THE YEARS IN THE THREE YEAR PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023

Exhibit 15.7

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors Crown LNG Holding AS

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Crown LNG Holding AS and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2.1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2.1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ KPMG AS

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.

 

Oslo, Norway

 

July 15, 2024

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

Consolidated financial statements    
Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss   1
Consolidated statements of financial position   2
Consolidated statements of changes in equity   3
Consolidated statements of cash flows   4
   
Notes to the consolidated financial statements    
     
1 - Corporate information   5
   
2 - Significant accounting policies   5
2.1 Basis of preparation   5
2.2 Basis of consolidation   6
2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies   7
2.4 New and amended standards adopted by the Group   13
2.5 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions   13
     
3 - Segment information   18
     
4 - Profit or loss items   19
4.1 Employee benefit expenses   19
4.2 Other operating expenses   20
4.3 Depreciation and impairment   20
4.4 Finance income and expenses   21
4.5 Income tax   22
     
5 - Other operating activities   23
5.1 Other current assets   23
5.2 Trade payables   23
5.3 Provisions   24
     
6 - Group structure   27
6.1 Group companies   27
     
7 - Fixed assets   28
7.1 Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities   28
     
8 - Financial instruments and equity   30
8.1 Overview of financial instruments   30
8.2 Interest-bearing liabilities   31
8.3 Aging of financial liabilities   33
8.4 Financial risk management   34
8.5 Fair value measurement   36
8.6 Cash and cash equivalents   40
8.7 Share capital and shareholders information   41
8.8 Earnings per share   44
8.9 Other current liabilities   44
     
9 - Other disclosures   45
9.1 Remuneration to the Board of Directors   45
9.2 Related party transactions   47
9.3 Commitments and contingencies   52
9.4 Share-based payments   52
9.5 Events after the reporting period   53

 

i


 

Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss

 

        Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)   Notes   2023     2022     2021  
                       
Revenue   44   $       $ -     $ -  
Total revenue         -       -       -  
Employee benefit expenses   4.1     (1,780 )     (1,276 )     (1,505 )
Other operating expenses   4.2     (9,806 )     (6,267 )     (4,827 )
Depreciation and impairment   4.3     -       (144 )     (39 )
Total operating expenses         (11,586 )     (7,687 )     (6,370 )
Operating loss         (11,586 )     (7,687 )     (6,370 )
Finance income   4.4     8,163       299       2,622  
Finance expenses   4.4     (751 )     (23,484 )     (2,118 )
Net financial items         7,412       (23,185 )     504  
Loss before tax         (4,174 )     (30,872 )     (5,867 )
Income tax benefit   4.5     -       2,967       1,156  
Loss       $ (4,174 )   $ (27,905 )   $ (4,711 )
                             
Other comprehensive income:                         -  
Items that subsequently will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                            
Foreign currency translation                         -  
Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss       $       $ -     $ -  
                             
Items that subsequently may be reclassified to profit or loss:                            
Foreign currency translation         (34 )     2,046       (104 )
Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss         (34 )     2,046       (104 )
Other comprehensive income/(loss)         (34 )     2,046       (104 )
Total comprehensive loss       $ (4,208 )   $ (25,859 )   $ (4,816 )
                             
Loss attributable to:                            
Equity holders of the parent company         (4,170 )     (27,055 )     (4,711 )
Non-controlling interests         (4 )     (850 )     -  
                             
Total comprehensive loss attributable to:                            
Equity holders of the parent company         (4,203 )     (25,233 )     (4,816 )
Non-controlling interests         (5 )     (626 )     -  
                             
Loss per share                            
Basic loss per share   8.8     (0.05 )     (0.55 )     (0.17 )
Diluted loss per share   8.8     (0.05 )     (0.55 )     (0.17 )

 

1


 

Consolidated statements of financial position

 

        As of December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Notes   2023     2022  
ASSETS                
Non-current assets                
Non-current financial assets   8.5   $ 242,360     $ 31,249  
Total non-current assets         242,360       31,249  
                     
Current assets                    
Other current assets   5.1     417       11  
Current financial assets   8.5     4,228       -  
Cash and cash equivalents   8.6     88       36  
Total current assets         4,733       47  
TOTAL ASSETS       $ 247,094     $ 31,296  
                     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                    
Equity                    
Share capital   8.7   $ 190     $ 58  
Share premium         231,891       26,202  
Other capital reserves         12,341       4,498  
Other equity   8.7     (21,731 )     (17,528 )
Non-controlling interests         (88 )     1,659  
Total equity         222,603       14,889  
                     
Non-current liabilities                    
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     1,223       1,689  
Non-current lease liabilities   7.1     32       44  
Deferred tax liabilities   4.5     -       -  
Provisions   5.3     4,758       8,365  
Total non-current liabilities         6,013       10,098  
                     
Current liabilities                    
Current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     2,166       -  
Current lease liabilities   7.1     13       12  
Trade payables   5.2     5,038       1,856  
Provisions   5.3     10,511       4,440  
Other current liabilities   8.9     750       -  
Total current liabilities         18,479       6,309  
Total liabilities         24,491       16,407  
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES       $ 247,094     $ 31,296  

  

2


 

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

 

                            Other equity              
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Share capital     Share premium     Treasury shares     Other capital reserves     Cumulative
translation
differences
    Retained
earnings /
(Accumulated
deficit)
    Non-controlling interest     Total equity  
Equity as of January 1, 2021   $ 37     $ 1,992     $ (2 )   $ -     $ -     $ 12,521     $ -     $ 14,548  
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       -       (4,711 )     -       (4,711 )
Other comprehensive loss     -       -       -       -       (104 )     -       -       (104 )
Total comprehensive loss     -       -       -       -       (104 )     (4,711 )     -       (4,816 )
Issuance of shares (note 8.7)     21       24,210       -       -       -       -       -       24,231  
Sale of treasury shares     -       -       2       1,450       -       -       -       1,452  
Issuance of warrants     -       -       -       265       -       -       -       265  
Equity as of December 31, 2021     58       26,202       -       1,715       (104 )     7,810       -       35,680  
Loss for the period     -       -       -       -       -       (27,055 )     (850 )     (27,905 )
Other comprehensive income     -       -       -               1,822       -       224       2,046  
Total comprehensive loss     -       -       -       -       1,822       (27,055 )     (626 )     (25,859 )
Conversion of convertible loans (note 8.2)     -       -       -       -       -       -       2,263       2,263  
Non-registered capital increase (note 8.7)     -       -       -       34       -       -       -       34  
Share-based payments (note 9.4)     -       -       -       2,750       -       -       22       2,772  
Equity as of December 31, 2022     58       26,202       -       4,498       1,717       (19,245 )     1,659       14,889  
Loss for the period                                             (4,170 )     (4 )     (4,174 )
Other comprehensive loss                                     (33 )             (2 )     (34 )
Total comprehensive loss     -       -       -       -       (33 )     (4,196 )     (5 )     (4,208 )
Transactions with non-controlling interests                             364                       135       499  
Warrant exercise (note 8.7)     8                       3,449                               3,457  
Capital increase (note 8.7)     124       205,689                                       (1,890 )     203,923  
Non-registered capital increase (note 8.7)                             3,140                       10       3,150  
Share-based payments (note 9.4)                             890                       3       894  
Equity as of December 31, 2023   $ 190     $ 231,891     $ -     $ 12,341     $ 1,684     $ (23,415 )   $ (88 )   $ 222,603  

 

3


 

Consolidated statements of cash flows

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

        Year Ended December 31,  
    Notes   2023     2022     2021  
Cash flows from operating activities                            
Loss before tax       $ (4,147 )   $ (30,872 )   $ (5,867 )
Adjustments to reconcile loss before tax to net cash flows:                            
Depreciation and impairment   4.3     -       144       39  
Finance income   4.4     (8,163 )     (299 )     (2,622 )
Finance expenses   4.4     751       23,484       2,118  
Share-based payments   9.4     3,381       2,772       -  
Working capital adjustments:                            
Changes in other current assets   5.1     (406 )     150       (141 )
Changes in trade and other payables   5.2     3,182       741       1,061  
Changes in provisions   5.3     2,532       3,185       2,995  
Other items                            
Taxes paid   4.5     -       -       -  
Interest paid   9.2     (28 )     (214 )     (455 )
Adjustment cash-settled share-based payment   5.3     -       299       41  
Net cash outflows from operating activities       $ (2,923 )   $ (611 )   $ (2,830 )
                             
Cash flows from investing activities                            
                             
Purchase of bitcoins   4.4     -       -       (984 )
Net cash flow from investing activities       $ -     $ -     $ (984 )
                             
Cash flow from financing activities                            
Proceeds from issuance of shares (non-registered capital increase)   8.7     704       -          
Proceeds from convertible shareholder loans         -       -       1,077  
Repayment shareholder loans   8.2     -       -       (201 )
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares   8.7     -       -       1,449  
Proceeds from transactions with Non-controlling interest         499                  
Proceeds from issuance of shareholder loan   8.9     526                  
Repayment of borrowings   8.2     (61 )             -  
Proceeds from issuance of shares   8.7     123       34       1,964  
Proceeds from short-term loan   8.9     1,173       -          
Proceeds from conversion of warrants   8.7     26       -       265  
Payment of lease liabilities   7.1     (16 )     (80 )     (35 )
Net cash inflows/outflows from financing activities       $ 2,976     $ (47 )   $ 4,519  
                             
Net increase/decrease in cash and cash equivalents         53       (658 )     705  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period         36       776       72  
Net foreign exchange difference         (1 )     (82 )     (2 )
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31,       $ 88     $ 36     $ 775  

  

4


 

1 -  Corporate information

 

Crown LNG Holding AS (the “Company”) is incorporated and domiciled in Norway. The Company’s principal offices are located at Skøyen Atrium, Drammensveien 147, 0277 Oslo, Norway.

 

Crown LNG Holding AS and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”, or “Crown LNG”) invest in companies to develop, build, own and operate offshore infrastructures for the processing of Liquid Natural Gas (“LNG”). Crown LNG specializes in projects exposed to harsh weather conditions, where traditional floating solutions cannot be used. With a proven Gravity Based Solution Technology, developed in Norway for the North Sea requirements to withstand extremely high waves, Crown LNG expects to deliver concrete infrastructures in waters exposed to hurricanes, cyclones, and generally tough conditions all over the world.

 

Crown LNG has a project pipeline consisting of four projects. The projects are in different development stages, where the Kakinada Terminal Project in India is fully licensed and approved by government and on a fast track to final investment decision (“FID”).

 

On August 3, 2023, and amended October 2, 2023 and January 31, 2024, Crown LNG Holding AS entered into a definite business combination agreement (“BCA”) to go public in the United States through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”), Catcha Investment Corp (“Catcha”) (NYSE American: CHAA), and certain other affiliated entities through a series of transactions. Because CHAA is already publicly traded, Crown LNG Holdings Limited (“PubCo”) will become a public company when the business combination is complete, trading on NYSE under the ticker symbol “CGBS”. PubCo was formed solely for the purposes of effecting the Business Combination and has not carried on any activities other than those in connection with the Business Combination. The Business Combination is subject to approval by the shareholders of both Catcha Investment Corp. and Crown LNG Holding AS and other customary closing conditions. The Group plans to use the proceeds from the SPAC deal to fund ongoing anchor projects to FID.

  

The deadline for completing the business combination has been extended through various amendments to the BCA, and on June 11, 2024, the date on which the BCA must close was extended to June 28, 2024. The business combination was approved by shareholders of Catcha on June 17, 2024.

 

On July 9, 2024, Crown consummated the business combination with Catcha pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement dated August 3, 2023.

  

The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors on July 15, 2024.

 

2 - Significant accounting policies

 

2.1 Basis of preparation

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group comprise the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, financial position, changes in equity, cash flows and related notes. The subtotals and totals in certain tables in the notes may not equal the sum of the amounts shown in the primary financial statements due to rounding.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for an option to purchase 15% of outstanding shares in East LNG PTE. LTD. (“EAST”), the future payment rights, the option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG, the option to acquire GBTRON, the Catcha Loan, contingent consideration related to warrants exercise, and provisions for cash-settled share-based payments which are measured at fair value. Additionally, there are elements related to the settlement of a convertible shareholder loan which are measured at fair value. Refer to note 2.3 for further detail on the accounting policies applied.

 

Going concern

 

The financial statements of the Group have been prepared on the going concern basis which contemplates the continuity of normal business activities and the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

Crown LNG is a development stage company and we do not have nay projects in our pipeline generating revenue currently and have not recognized any revenue to date. We anticipate that our current projects will be operational at the earliest in 2027 for the Grangemouth Project and 2029 for the Kakinada Terminal Project, and to begin generating revenues around that period. The Group incurred a net loss of $4.2 million, $27.9 million, and $4.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively and used net cash in operating activities of $2.9 million, $611 thousand and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Group had $88 thousand in cash and cash equivalents and negative working capital of $13.3 million.

 

5


 

The Group is forecasting that it will continue to incur significant operating cash outflows to fund the Kakinada Terminal and Grangemouth Projects, as well support the Group’s growth, including but not limited to terminal operation expenses, operating insurance costs, land and port charges, general and administrative and other costs. The Group will require additional financing to support the operations of the business. The forecast and financial conditions raise substantial doubt about the Group’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern. Crown LNG’s ability to operate as a going concern is principally dependent on the (1) successful completion of the Business Combination as described in note 1, (2) the ability of the Group to secure financing or enter into private placement agreements, subscription agreements, investment agreements, forward purchase agreements or any other forms of agreements with investors to secure additional financing, (3) the ability of the Group to reach the designated FID dates for the projects, and (4) the ability of the Group to comply with the listing requirements of the NASDAQ.

 

As a result of the above, there is material uncertainty related to the events or conditions that may cast substantial doubt of the Crown LNG’s ability to continue as a going concern, and therefore, the Group may be unable to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or to the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Management believes it will be successful in obtaining sufficient funding through the Business Combination and other required fund-raising activities as described above. For these reasons, the financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the Group is a going concern. Should sufficient funding not be secured from such sources or otherwise or should there be a delay in the timing of securing funds through these funding initiatives, this would have adverse implications for the Group and its shareholders. In these scenarios, the Group will need to seek other options, including delaying or reducing operating and capital expenditures, the possibility of an alternative transaction or fundraising, and in the event that none of these are available, voluntary bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, or dissolution.

 

Presentation currency and functional currency

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. Dollars and all figures are rounded to the nearest thousand ($000), except when otherwise indicated. For each entity, the Group determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. The Group has Norwegian kroner (“NOK”) as its functional currency, and currently all its subsidiaries also have NOK as their functional currency.

 

For presentation purposes, items in the statements of financial position are translated from functional currency to presentation currency by using exchange rates at the reporting date. Items within total comprehensive income are translated from functional currency to presentation currency by applying monthly average exchange rates. The resulting translation differences are recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

2.2 Basis of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023. The subsidiaries are consolidated when control is achieved as defined by IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:

 

Power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee)

 

Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee

 

The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns

 

Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights results in control. However, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

 

The contractual arrangement(s) with other vote holders of the investee

 

Rights arising from other contractual arrangements

 

The Group’s voting rights and potential voting rights

 

6


 

The Group reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.

 

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) are attributed to the equity holders of the parent of the Group. All intra-group assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses, and cash flows relating to transactions between members of the Group are eliminated in full on consolidation.

 

2.3 Summary of significant accounting policies

 

a) Fair value measurement

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

 

In the principal market for the asset or liability, or

 

In the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability

 

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible by the Group.

 

The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

 

The Group uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.

 

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

 

Level 1 — Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

 

Level 2 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable

 

Level 3 — Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable

 

For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorization at the end of each reporting period.

 

Financial instruments associated with EAST and KGLNG

 

The Group measures the option to purchase 15 % of the outstanding shares in EAST, the future payment right, and the option to acquire 99.81% of the outstanding shares of KGLNG at fair value, as management is of the opinion that these instruments satisfy the definition of a financial asset to be measured at fair value through profit and loss. These instruments are measured as if they were one instrument due to the fact that they are related to the same underlying value. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized through profit or loss.

 

Catcha Loan

 

The Group measures the Catcha Loan at fair value with subsequent changes in the fair value recognized through profit or loss. The Catcha Loan satisfies the measurement requirements to be measured at fair value as a result of the embedded derivative related to the repayment option that includes a portion to be repaid in shares.

 

7


 

Contingent consideration related to warrants exercise

 

In 2023, the Group offered to replace all outstanding warrants with new shares. In order to subscribe to the shares, the warrant holders agreed to pay an additional consideration per share contingent on the Group completing an IPO. As such, the contingent consideration related to warrants exercise is measured at fair value.

 

Cash-settled share-based payments

 

The Group has entered into consultancy service agreements involving the alternative settlement of the fee in either cash or equity, where final payment of the fee is contingent on the Group reaching FID. A cash-settled share-based payment is a present obligation for the Group to settle the liability in cash. Such transactions are accounted for in accordance with the requirements for cash-settled share-based payment transactions under IFRS 2 Share-based Payment. This implies measuring the liability at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. The fair value measurement requires taking into account any non-vesting conditions, i.e., the Group applies a probability weighted approach when determining the fair value of the liability. The cash-settled payments are recognized as provisions in the Group’s balance sheet.

 

Convertible Shareholder Loans

 

The Group has entered into loan agreements with the shareholders and related parties of the Group, in which the lenders were provided a conversion right to convert the principal amount into shares. In September 2022, the Group underwent a debt restructuring in which part of the debt was settled against shares in a subsidiary entity of the Group, a different entity from which the conversion feature in the initial loans applied. As compensation, the lenders were also offered put options and cash consideration, contingent on the Group achieving FID and IPO by June 30, 2024, respectively. The amendments to this agreement constitute a significant modification and are accounted for in accordance with IFRIC 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments, which requires the extinguishment of the remaining debt and the recognition of a new liability initially measured at fair value. The fair value of the new loan is measured based on the net present value of the future cash flows, discounted using a market rate of interest adjusted for the Group’s estimated non-performance risk. The difference between the fair value of the new loan and the original loan measured at amortized cost is recorded as a gain/loss in profit or loss. The computation of gain/loss under IFRIC 19 also takes into account the fair value of the put option and cash consideration, and the fair value of the issued shares.

 

At each reporting date, the Group analyzes the movements in the values of assets and liabilities which are required to be remeasured or reassessed as per the Group’s accounting policies. For this analysis, the Group verifies the major inputs applied in the latest valuation by agreeing the information in the valuation models to relevant support documentation. For more information on fair value measurement, refer to note 8.5.

 

b) Taxes

 

Current income tax

 

Current income tax is measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income.

 

Deferred tax

 

Deferred tax is provided using the liability method on temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry forward of unused tax credits can be utilized.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at each reporting date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

 

8


 

Deferred tax relating to items recognized outside profit or loss, such as items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, is recognized outside profit or loss. Deferred tax items are recognized in correlation to the underlying transaction either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

 

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognized for unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized.

 

c) Leases

 

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether the contract is, or contains, a lease.

 

Group as a lessee

 

At the commencement date, the Group recognizes a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset for all lease agreements in which it is the lessee, except for the following exemptions applied:

 

Short-term leases (defined as 12 months or less)

 

Low value assets

 

For these leases, the Group recognizes the lease payments as operating expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Measuring the lease liability

 

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease term represents the non-cancellable period of the lease, together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease when the Group is reasonably certain to exercise this option, and periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Group is reasonably certain not to exercise that option.

 

The lease payments included in the measurement comprise:

 

Fixed lease payments, less any lease incentives received

 

In calculating the present value of a lease payment, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date when the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liability is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of the lease liability is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or lease modifications, or to reflect adjustments in lease payments due to an adjustment in an index or rate.

 

The Group presents its lease liabilities as separate line items in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

Measuring the right-of-use asset

 

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost. The cost of the right-of-use asset includes the corresponding amount of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any lease payments made at or before the commencement date and initial direct costs incurred.

 

The right-of-use asset is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, applying the same policies for impairment as for property, plant and equipment. The right-of-use asset is depreciated from the commencement date to the earlier of the lease term and the remaining useful life of the right-of-use asset. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis.

 

d) Financial instruments – initial recognition and subsequent measurement

 

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity. The Group’s financial instruments are grouped in the following categories:

 

9


 

Financial Assets

 

Financial assets measured at amortized cost:

 

The Group’s financial assets subsequently measured at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs.

 

Financial assets at amortized cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest method (EIR) method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Financial assets measured at amortized cost are considered for impairment by recognizing an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs).

 

The Group’s financial assets at amortized cost include other current assets and cash and cash equivalents.

 

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss:

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are carried on the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value with any net changes in fair value recognized in finance income (expense) in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

The Group’s financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss include the contingent consideration related to warrant exercise, the 15% option in EAST, the option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG, the future payment right, and the option to acquire GBTRON.

 

Financial Liabilities

 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost:

 

The Group’s financial liabilities subsequently measured at amortized cost are initially recognized at fair value net of directly attributable transaction costs.

 

After initial recognition, the financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the EIR method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discounts or premiums on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost include the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities as well as non-interest-bearing liabilities such as trade payables.

 

Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss:

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are carried on the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value with any net changes in fair value recognized in finance income (expense) in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

The Group’s only financial liability measured at fair value through profit or loss is the Catcha Loan. There is no interest rate applied to this loan and the amount to be repaid is the same as the amount initially received unless the BCA is terminated in which case Crown would be required to repay either $1.75 million in cash, or $1.0 million in cash and 1.5% of Crown’s outstanding equity.

 

e) Cash and short-term deposits

 

Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and short-term deposits with a maturity of three months or less at acquisition, which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term deposits. The Group has no restricted bank deposits.

 

f) Convertible loans

 

Convertible loans are separated into liability and equity components based on the terms of the contract.

 

On issuance of the convertible shareholder loan, the fair value of the liability component is determined using a market rate for an equivalent non-convertible instrument. The amount is classified as a financial liability measured at amortized cost (net of transaction costs) until it is extinguished on conversion or repayment.

 

10


 

The remainder of the proceeds are allocated to the conversion option that is recognized and included in equity. Transaction costs are deducted from equity, net of associated income tax. The carrying amount of the conversion option is not remeasured in subsequent periods.

 

Transaction costs are apportioned between the liability and equity components of the convertible shareholder loan, based on the allocation of proceeds to the liability and equity components when the instrument is initially recognized. In 2021 and 2022, the Group’s convertible loans are solely classified as financial liabilities (i.e., equity components are deemed to have zero residual value). The Group has no issued convertible loans outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. See note 8.2 for more information.

 

g) Treasury shares

 

Own equity instruments that are reacquired (treasury shares) are recognized at cost and deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments. Any difference between the carrying amount and the consideration, if reissued, is recognized in share premium.

 

h) Loss per share

 

Basic earnings per share or loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

 

Diluted earnings per share or loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

 

i) Provisions

 

Provisions are liabilities with uncertain timing or amount and are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, that is, the amount that an entity would rationally pay to settle the obligation at the end of the financial year or to transfer it to a third party.

 

j) Research and development expenses

 

Research expenses are expensed as incurred. Development expenditures on an individual project are recognized as an intangible asset when the Group can demonstrate:

 

The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that the asset will be available for use or sale

 

Its intention to complete and its ability and intention to use or sell the asset

 

How the asset will generate future economic benefits

 

The availability of resources to complete the asset

 

The availability to measure reliably the expenditure during the development

 

Following initial recognition of the development expenditure as an asset, the asset is carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss. Amortization of the asset begins when development is complete, and the asset is available for use. It is amortized over the period of expected future benefit. During the period of development, the asset is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever there is an indication that they may be impaired.

 

k) Employee benefit expenses

 

Employee benefit expenses comprise all types of remuneration to personnel employed by the Group and are expensed when earned. The Group presents fees related to management-for-hire as employee benefit expenses, as such fees are paid to individuals working for the Group under its discretion in the same way as individuals who are regarded as employees for legal or tax purposes and where the services rendered are similar to services typically rendered by employees.

 

11


 

l) Other operating expenses

 

Other operating expenses are recognized when they occur and represent a broad range of operating expenses incurred by the Group in its day-to-day activities.

 

Other operating expenses mainly consist of consulting fees related to the Group’s project development, audit and audit related fees, and project costs. Certain board members have provided services to the Group via their respective consulting companies. For further information about transactions with related parties, see note 9.2.

 

m) Finance income and finance expense

 

Interest income and interest expenses are calculated using the effective interest method. The interest expense is related to shareholder loans.

 

Foreign currency gains or losses are reported as foreign exchange gain or foreign exchange loss in finance income or finance expense, respectively, except for currency translation effects from translation of foreign subsidiaries and the parent company which are presented within OCI.

 

Interest costs on lease liabilities represents the interest rate used to measure the lease liabilities and is recognized in finance expense on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Finance income and finance expense also include fair value adjustments of the options granted to the Group, the future payment right, the contingent consideration related to warrant exercise, and the Catcha Loan. The instruments are re-measured at each reporting date, and any movements in the fair value are recorded as either a finance income or a finance expense.

 

n) Commitments and contingencies

 

Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Significant contingent liabilities are disclosed, with the exception of contingent liabilities where the possibility of an outflow of economic resources is considered remote.

 

Contingent assets are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements but are disclosed when an inflow of economic benefits is considered probable.

 

o) Share-based payments

 

The group has various agreements with third-party suppliers and East Asia Capital Partners Company Limited (“EACP”) which take the form of share-based payments, whereby these parties render services in exchange for equity instruments (equity-settled transactions). The Group has a service agreement with LNG-9 PTE, LTD and a management-for-hire agreement, where Crown has an intent, and can demonstrate an economic compulsion to settle in cash (cash-settled transactions).

 

Equity-settled transactions

 

The cost of equity-settled transactions is determined by the fair value at the date when the grant is made. For the agreements with third-party suppliers and EACP, this fair value was assessed to be the consideration for the services received. Using a time-based measure of progress, the fees are expensed on a monthly basis through profit or loss. The equity-settled share-based payments are recognized as Other equity in the consolidated statement of financial position. Refer to note 8.7 for further details on equity-settled share-based payments.

 

Cash-settled transactions

 

Where management is of the opinion that there is an economic compulsion to settle only in cash, and that the fees constitute a present obligation for Crown, these transactions shall be accounted for as cash-settled transactions. Management assesses that in the transaction with choice of settlement, the intent is to settle in cash and settlement in cash is often the preferred method of settlement for the counterparty. As such, there is limited interest and benefit to settle in shares from the perspective of both parties. Given the current financial condition of the Group, Crown does not have sufficient liquidity to settle in cash. However, the fees are payable only when Crown achieves certain milestones, at which point the Company is therefore expected to have adequate funds to settle in cash.

 

For cash-settled transactions, a liability is recognized for the fair value and the fair value is measured initially and at each reporting date up to, and including the settlement date, with any changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss. Awards that include non-vesting conditions and are dependent on the delivery of specific services (i.e., service conditions) are accrued for as the services are received. The fair value is expensed over the period until the vesting date with recognition of a corresponding liability. Refer to note 5.3 for further details on cash-settled share-based payments.

 

12


 

p) Warrants

 

The warrants issued by the Group are accounted for as equity instruments because the terms require the Company to deliver a fixed number of shares for a fixed consideration, denominated in NOK which is the functional currency of Crown LNG Holding AS. The warrants are initially measured at cost and are not subsequently re-measured. Refer to note 8.8 for further detail.

 

q) Subsequent events

 

If the Group receives information after the reporting period, but prior to the date of authorization for issue, about conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period, the Group will assess if the information affects the amounts that it recognizes in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The Group will adjust the amounts recognized in its financial statements to reflect any adjusting events after the reporting period and update the disclosures that relate to those conditions in the light of the new information. For non-adjusting events after the reporting period, the Group will not change the amounts recognized in its consolidated financial statements but will disclose the nature of the non-adjusting event and an estimate of its financial effect, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made, if applicable.

 

2.4 New and amended standards adopted by the Group

 

Certain new accounting standards, amendments to accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for the December 31, 2023 reporting periods and these have not been early adopted by the Group. The standards, amendments or interpretations that are expected to have a material impact on the Group in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions are discussed below.

 

Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 – Disclosure of accounting policies

 

The amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgments provide guidance and examples to help entities apply materiality judgments to accounting policy disclosures that are more useful by replacing the requirements for entities to disclosure their ‘significant’ accounting policies with a requirement to disclose their ‘material’ accounting policies and adding guidance on how entities apply the concept of materiality in making decisions about accounting policy disclosures.

 

The amendments have had an impact on the Group’s disclosures of accounting policies, but not on the measurement, recognition or presentation of any items in the Group’s financial statements.

 

2.5 Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS and applying the chosen accounting policies requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the accompanying disclosures. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and the underlying assumptions, described below, are reviewed by the Group on an ongoing basis.

 

The accounting policies applied by management which includes a significant degree of estimates and assumptions or judgements that may have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements, are summarized below:

 

Accounting judgements:

 

Research & Development: IFRS distinguishes between research and development costs and sets out criterion to assess whether development costs can be capitalized. As such, management exercises considerable judgement when assessing whether expenses incurred in the development phase of a project shall be capitalized as an intangible asset or expensed as incurred. Based on an evaluation of the status on the Group’s ongoing projects, management has concluded that all projects within the Group are at an early stage where there is uncertainty related to future economic benefit. Hence, management concluded that the recognition criteria for capitalizing internal development under IAS 38 Intangible Assets were not met, and the development expenses have been expensed as incurred.

 

13


 

Provisions: The Group has entered into service and management-for-hire agreements where the consideration, or part of the consideration, is contingent upon reaching final investment decision (FID) or pre-FID funding related to the Kakinada Terminal Project. Based on the nature of the agreements and the contingent features, management has exercised judgement in determining the appropriate accounting treatment for the fees to be paid in the different agreements. Fees related to the delivery of key milestones, where the payment is contingent on reaching FID and where Crown LNG has the option to settle in either cash or shares, are accounted for as cash-settled share-based payment under IFRS 2 Share-based payment, as the Group has an intent to settle in cash. A provision is recognized for the fair value of the services delivered, using a weighted probability approach to take into account the probability of reaching or not reaching FID. The probability of reaching FID is considered a significant accounting estimate and is described in more detail below.

 

The Group has entered into management-for-hire arrangements to engage a CEO and CFO to act on behalf of the Group. Such fees are accounted for as long-term employee benefits under IAS 19 Employee benefits. As the payout is contingent on achieving pre-FID funding, which management considers more likely than not, a provision is recorded on a monthly basis corresponding to the fixed amount in the agreement.

 

In November 2023, the Group has entered into management-for-hire agreement to engage a Director of Finance & Business Development to act on behalf of the Group. The agreement provides the Group with the option to pay in cash or shares, in the event that the BCA does not close. As the Group has an intent to settle in cash, the fees are accounted for as cash-settled share-based payments under IFRS 2 Share-based payment, and a provision is recorded on a monthly basis corresponding to the fixed amount in the agreement.

 

Initial recognition and the subsequent modification to the shareholder loans: During 2021, Crown LNG AS and Crown LNG India AS entered into agreements for two convertible loans with shareholders and related parties of the ultimate parent company, Crown LNG Holding AS, for the purpose of securing continued funding of activities in connection with the implementation of the Kakinada Terminal Project. The loans were structured as convertible loans in which the lenders were given a right to convert each unit into shares. The terms of the agreements included a monthly interest of 1 % (Crown India AS) and 2% (Crown LNG AS) and a repayment of the principal plus an amount equal to 100 % of the principal. On September 9, 2022, the Group offered to settle a portion of the outstanding liability against shares in a newly established subsidiary (CIO Investment AS). At the time of settlement, CIO Investment AS was an empty shelf company, established for the purpose of serving as a mutual investment company for investors who wanted to invest in Crown LNG India AS without the exposure to the remainder of the Group’s operations. In order to compensate the lenders for the less attractive shares in CIO Investment AS, lenders were provided a put option and a cash consideration, contingent on the Group completing an IPO and reaching FID by the end of June 2024.

 

Based on an assessment of the nature and substance of the agreements, management concluded the equity conversion feature under the initial loans mainly were designed to serve as a protective right with no material financial value. The loans were accordingly classified solely as financial liabilities and measured at amortized cost. Management further concluded that the amendments to the settlement agreement in 2022 constituted a significant modification that must be accounted for as a new loan agreement. The conclusion was in large part based on the fact that the settlement offer occurred close to maturity and replaced the former loans with a loan that matures in mid-2024. Further, management also believes that the lenders are not acting in the capacity of shareholders as the proportion in which the amount is lent to Crown does not correspond to their shareholding in the Group. Accordingly, the remaining debt (comprising the premium on the initial loans) was derecognized and replaced with a new liability initially measured at fair value.

 

The fair value of the new loan was measured based on the net present value of the future cash flows, discounted using a market rate of interest adjusted for the Group’s estimated non-performance risk. Management considers the weighted average interest rate in the two initial loans as the best estimate of the market rate adjusted for own non-performance risk. Further, management has exercised judgement with respect to the accounting for the derecognition of the current liability measured at amortized cost and the new liability measured at fair value. Based on the fact that the put option and cash consideration offered value to the lenders, management is of the opinion that these features must be treated as equity instruments and settlement equivalent to the settlement with shares. This results in measuring the new liability, contingent additional consideration and put options at fair values. The difference between the carrying amount of the extinguished liability and the fair value of aggregate consideration received is recognized in profit or loss.

 

14


 

Non-consolidation of KGLNG and GBTRON: Crown holds two options to purchase shares of entities: (1) the option to purchase 99.81% of the outstanding shares of KGLNG and (2) the option to purchase all of the issued shares of GBTRON’s NewCo as well as the right to all future payments in KGLNG as discussed below. These options were acquired in connection with the signing of the KGLNG and GBTRON agreements, respectively, on August 3, 2023. In accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, an investor controls an investee if and only if the investor has the following: (a) power over the investee, (b) exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee, and (c) the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s return. Once exercised, the options would grant Crown power over KGLNG and NewCo respectively.

 

Management evaluated whether these instruments grant Crown power over the entities as of December 31, 2023. The options to purchase shares of the entities are only exercisable from the time period of the completion of the BCA and one year from when the agreements were signed (i.e., August 3, 2024). Since there is no current ability to exercise the options as the BCA is not completed as of December 31, 2023, Crown does not have the ability to control either KGLNG or NewCo, and therefore, does not consolidate these entities in the consolidated financial statements. Further, the future payment right related to KGLNG does provide Crown with exposure to variable returns of KGLNG, however, the future payment right itself does not provide Crown with any power over KGLNG.

 

Consideration for the acquisition of future payment rights: The Group has, since 2019, held a call-option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST. When entering into the KGLNG Transaction Agreement on August 3, 2023 (effective from October 24, 2023), the Group also obtained an option to acquire 99.81% of the shares in KGLNG, and a future payment right in an amount equal to all future distributions made by KGLNG to its shareholders until the aggregate amount of such distributions equals $3.266 billion, and within 30 years from the first gas of the LNG terminal. Management has for accounting purposes considered the initial 15% call-option agreement and the subsequent KGLNG Transaction Agreement as linked due to the following facts:

 

Both agreements relate to the same underlying value, i.e., KGLNG

 

The signing of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement brings the fair value of the 15% EAST option down to $0 as EAST does not hold any other assets providing Crown with additional value in excess of what may be obtained through the KGLNG Transaction Agreement

 

The agreements are entered into with the same related parties, i.e., EAST and GBS Infra Pte Ltd., which is the parent company of EAST

 

The value of the 15% EAST option was taken into consideration when negotiating the consideration for the future payment right under the KGLNG Transaction Agreement

 

Based on this fact, Crown has treated the fair value loss related to the 15% EAST option as a result of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement as part of the equity consideration granted for the future payment right. See note 8.5 and note 8.7 for further description of the underlying accounting considerations.

 

Consolidation of CIO Investment AS: At December 31, 2022, Crown owned 48.3% of CIO Investments AS, for which Crown was the only shareholder holding shares with voting rights (class B shares) and Crown was the largest shareholder. In July 2023, Crown sold approximately 2.5 million shares. Post the execution of this transaction, Crown holds 38.68% of the shares of CIO Investments AS. Per IFRS 10, a continuous assessment of controls is required if there is any change in the element of control. The subscription offer only included class A shares (without voting rights), and as of December 31, 2023, Crown continues to hold all outstanding share with voting power, which is considered a key element for control. Crown concluded that there was not a change in control despite the ownership structure change and continues to consolidate CIO Investments AS in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023. Refer to note 6.1 for further details.

 

15


 

Estimates and assumptions:

 

FID date and probability of reaching FID: The estimated fair value of the Group’s cash-settled share-based payments is dependent on the probability of reaching FID and the expected FID date of the Kakinada Terminal project. The probability of reaching FID is set based on key milestones achieved, which represents de-risking of the project for the investors. The most critical milestones for this project are the approval of technology and achieving access to a fully licensed and approved project. This was achieved in January of 2021. The prospectus F-4 was approved effective by the SEC on the February 14, 2024.

 

The contemplated date for closing of the BCA was, as of December 31, 2023, mid-February 2024, but this has been subsequently postponed to June 2024. It has proven difficult to raise all the capital required (USD 34M) to bring the Kakinada project to FID as part of the closing of the BCA. The likely scenario for securing the capital is now based on the following assumptions: 1) $12-15 million raised as part of the public listing process and closing of BCA, and 2) $30-40 million raised in Crown LNG India AS project company. The probability of IPO is 70% as of December 31, 2023, however, an additional 90 days will be required to raise the additional capital to get to the pre-FID period start. Hence, the Group estimates the probability for FID at 65% as of December 31, 2023 (55% as of December 31, 2022 and 2021).

 

Fair value of instruments related to EAST and KGLNG: The Group holds a call-option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST, an option to acquire 99.81% of the shares in KGLNG, and a future payment right. The fair value of these instruments are all derived from the estimated value of KGLNG, the sole asset of EAST, and are measured together as if they were one instrument. The instruments are measured at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. A valuation method based on an income-based approach, which takes into consideration the enterprise value of KGLNG based on a discounted cash flow model, adjusted for Crown’s ownership interest and a binomial risk factor is applied with the valuation allocated to the instruments. Refer to note 8.5 for further details of the instruments and their relationship to each other. Key assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value include:

 

Terminal fee: Corresponds to the expected day rate fee between KGLNG and Crown LNG. For December 31, 2023, the estimated terminal fee was $447 thousand per day ($447 thousand per day as December 31, 2022 and $382 thousand per day as December 31, 2021) in the operation period. The expected terminal fee is based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place for the lease of the terminal asset and the day rate fee to be paid. However, the contract will not be finalized until the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract has been entered into and may therefore be subject to change. Further, KGLNG is subordinate to Crown LNG with regards to the day-rate fees received, and KGLNG will receive the agreed upon day rate fee before KGLNG receives the residual part of the regasification fee.

 

Regasification price: Corresponds to the estimated fee that KGLNG will receive from customers. As of December 31, 2023, management expects a weighted average regasification price of $0.91/MMBtu ($0.92/MMBTu as of December 31, 2022 and $0.885/MMBtu as of December 31, 2021).

 

Capacity factor: Management estimates a capacity of 93% as of December 31, 2023 (93% as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021), taking into consideration items such downtime for maintenance and other production stop events.

 

Discount rate (WACC): The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is used as a discount rate in the calculation of the net present value of KGLNG. In estimating the WACC, the risk-free rate is based on the yield of a 10-year U.S. government bond. For December 31, 2023, a WACC of 10% was applied (10% as of December 31, 2022 and 8.5% as of December 31, 2021).

 

Venture Capital (VC) discount rate: In an effort to adjust for the risk associated with the Group’s current state, the valuation applies a combination of two approaches, in which the first approach discounts the fair value back from the FID date of Q2 2026, to December 31, 2023 with a discount rate of 35% (35% as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021). This discount rate is assumed to represent the return that a VC fund would require given the current state of the Group, adjusted upwards to reflect the fact that a large share of VC funds yields negative returns.

 

Probability of reaching FID: The second approach utilizes an overall probability weighting of 65% for success (reaching FID) as of December 31, 2023 (55% as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021). The probability of reaching FID is estimated based on relevant contracts entered into and other steps taken to secure necessary funding in order to reach FID.

 

Sensitivity analysis is carried out for each of the key assumptions in the assessment, including terminal fee, regasification price, capacity factor, discount rate (WACC), Venture Capital (VC) discount rate, and probability of reaching FID. Refer to note 8.5 for further details.

 

16


 

Fair value of contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise: In 2023, the Group offered to replace all outstanding warrants with new shares. In order to subscribe to the shares, the warrant holders agreed to pay an additional consideration of NOK 6.09 per share contingent on the Group completing an IPO. The additional consideration receivable from the shareholders is accounted for as a financial asset at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value is computed using two methods, where the first approach utilizes an early-stage company discount rate and the second approach uses a probability weighted approach based on a probability of achieving an IPO, discounted using a risk-free rate. The fair value is estimated as the mid-point value of the two calculated values. Reference is made to note 2.2 for further detail. Key assumptions used in the calculation of fair value include the anticipated IPO date, probability of FID and the early-stage discount rate:

 

IPO date: As of December 31, 2023, the completion of the BCA was targeted for mid-February 2024 since the expiry date of the SPAC was February 17, 2024. This is the date that was used in the fair value calculation of the contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise. On February 16, 2024, the parties to the BCA entered into certain amendments to the BCA which extended the date on which the BCA may be terminated to May 17, 2024. On May 13, 2024, the date was further extended to June 17, 2024 and on June 17, 2024, this date was further agreed to be extended until June 28, 2024.

 

Probability of IPO: The additional consideration is contingent on the Group completing a listing of the shares through an initial public offering (IPO). At December 31, 2023, the probability of achieving IPO is estimated at 70%. This probability is based on key milestones achieved and contracts entered into through that date, including the letter of intent that was signed for the Business Combination, which represent de-risking of the project to investors, and is assumed to increase the probability of IPO.

 

Early-stage company discount rate: The net present value is computed using a discount rate of 35%, which is considered to represent the return an early-stage investor would require given the current state of the Group. This is in line with the assumption applied in the computation of the fair value of the instruments associated with EAST and KGLNG discussed above.

 

Sensitivity analysis is carried out for each of the key assumptions in the assessment, including the probability of IPO and the early-stage company discount rate. Refer to note 8.5 for further details.

 

Fair value of the Catcha Loan: Crown and Catcha entered into a promissory note whereby Catcha agreed to provide the Catcha Loan in the principal amount of $750 thousand to Crown to fund the working capital until the closing of the BCA. The Catcha Loan of $750 thousand is repayable within 10 business days after the Closing of the BCA. In the event that the BCA is terminated or does not close, the loan agreement regulates how the loan should be repaid which is at the discretion of the lender (i.e., Catcha): (1) $1.75 million in cash, or (2) $1.0 million in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s stock equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common shares of stock. Each repayment option was assessed with a probability assigned to each potential outcome to calculate the fair value of the Catcha Loan. The significant assumptions applied in the computation of the fair value are the IPO date and the probability of IPO:

 

IPO date: As of December 31, 2023, the completion of the BCA was targeted for mid-February 2024 since the expiry date of the SPAC was February 17,2024. This is the date that was used in the fair value calculation of the contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise. On February 16, 2024, the parties to the BCA entered into certain amendments to the BCA which extended the date on which the BCA may be terminated to May 17, 2024. On May 13, 2024, the date was further extended to June 17, 2024, and on June 17, 2024, this date was further agreed to be extended until June 28, 2024.

 

Probability of IPO: The additional consideration is contingent on the Group completing a listing of the shares through an IPO and the completion of the BCA. At December 31, 2023, the probability of achieving IPO is estimated at 70%, which is consistent with the assumption used to calculate the fair value of the contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise. The probability of paying $1.75 million in cash was estimated at 30% and the probability of paying $1.0 million in cash and 1.5% of Crown’s outstanding common shares in stock was estimated as 0%. These probabilities are based on the assumption that the lender would prefer cash to non-listed common stock in the event that the BCA is terminated.

 

Sensitivity analysis is carried out for the probability of IPO. Refer to note 8.5 for further details.

 

17


 

The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available as of the dates of the financial position. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Group. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.

 

3 - Segment information

 

An operating segment is a component of an entity:

 

that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses,

 

whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the entity’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and

 

for which discrete financial information is available.

 

Operating segments are components of the Group regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) to assess performance and be able to allocate resources.

 

The Board of Directors as a whole is considered to be, collectively, Crown LNG Holding’s CODM. The Group has a small portfolio of projects, with Kakinada Terminal Project being the only project with activity. None of the projects can be said to be significantly distinctive from each other and the Group does not yet engage in business activities from which it may earn revenues. Therefore, the CODM manages the operations as a single operating segment for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.

 

18


 

4 - Profit or loss items

 

4.1 Employee benefit expenses

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Employee benefit expenses   Note     2023     2022     2021  
Remuneration to the Board of Directors     9.2     $ (228 )   $ (246 )   $ (198 )
Management-for-hire     5.3       (1,553 )     (1,351 )     (1,307 )
Reversal of prior period provision for Board of Directors remuneration             -       321       -  
Total employee benefit expenses           $ (1,781 )   $ (1,276 )   $ (1,505 )

 

Employee benefit expenses comprise the remuneration to the Board of Directors and fees related to management-for-hire (MFH) arrangements with Black Kite AS, Gantt Consulting AS, Swapan Kataria, Lars Mårdalen and Opulenta AS. Management-for-hire include the engagement of consultants to act on behalf of the Group. Other consultancy fees to related parties are presented as part of other operating expenses. Refer to note 9.1 and 9.2 for further detail on the remuneration of the Board of Directors and related party transactions. Refer to note 9.4 for further details on the Share-based payment for Opulenta AS.

 

Reversal of prior period provision for Board of Directors remuneration of $321 thousand in 2022 relates to Board remuneration for which the Board agreed to waive in order to reduce the Group’s indebtedness.

 

19


 

4.2 Other operating expenses

 

 

Other operating expenses mainly consist of consulting fees and project costs related to the Group’s project development and IPO process, and audit and audit related fees. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and other board members have provided services to the Group via their respective consulting companies. For further information about related parties, see note 9.2.

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Other operating expenses   Note   2023     2022     2021  
Consulting fees     $ (6,150 )   $ (3,365 )   $ (927 )
Project costs         (574 )     (791 )     (2,149 )
Audit and audit related services         (810 )     (59 )     (25 )
GBTRON agreement         (1,000 )     (1,706 )     (1,706 )
Cash-settled share-based payment         (783 )     -       -  
Other operating expenses         (490 )     (346 )     (21 )
Total other operating expenses       $ (9,806 )   $ (6,267 )   $ (4,827 )

 

Refer to note 5.3 for further details on the GBTRON agreement and cash-settled share-based payment.

 

4.3 Depreciation and impairment

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Depreciation and Impairment   Note   2023     2022     2021  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets   7.1   $        -     $ (83 )   $ (39 )
Impairment of right-of-use assets related to office equipment   7.1     -       (61 )     -  
Total depreciation and impairment expenses       $ -     $ (144 )   $ (39 )

 

20


 

4.4 Finance income and expenses

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Finance income   Note   2023     2022     2021  
Fair value adjustment financial instruments   8.5   $ 8,133     $ -     $ 2,428  
Other interest income   5.3     0       299       49  
Other finance income         -       -       -  
Foreign exchange gain         31       -       145  
Total finance income       $ 8,163     $ 299     $ 2,622  

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Finance expenses   Note     2023     2022     2021  
Fair value adjustment financial instruments     8.5     $ (204 )   $ (19,941 )   $ -  
Interest expense on lease liabilities     7.1       -       (28 )     (13 )
Other interest expense     8.2       (458 )     (1,693 )     (651 )
Foreign exchange loss             (74 )     (984 )     (470 )
Other finance expense             (16 )     (839 )     (984 )
Total finance expenses           $ (751 )   $ (23,484 )   $ (2,118 )

 

Fair value adjustment on financial instruments

 

Fair value adjustment financial instruments represents an increase in the fair value of the call-option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST of $7.3 million (income) during the period from January 1, 2023 until October 24, 2023 when the KGLNG Transaction Agreement became effective (note 8.5), an increase in the fair value of contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise of $816 thousand (income), and and the recognition of $204 thousand (expense) as a result of the difference between the transaction price initially recorded and the fair value of the Catcha Loan at December 31, 2023. Refer to note 2.3 and note 8.5 for further details on the fair value measurement of the Group’s financial instruments.

 

Other Interest expenses

 

Other interest expense mainly comprise amortization on the shareholder loan of $213 thousand (refer to note 8.2) and other interest expenses.

 

21


 

4.5 Income tax

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Current income tax expense in the consolidated statement of profit or loss:   2023     2022     2021  
Tax payable   $         -     $ -     $ -  
Deferred tax:                        
Relating to origination or reversal of temporary differences     -       2,967       1,156  
Total income tax expense reported in the consolidated statement of profit or loss   $ -     $ 2,967     $ 1,156  

 

    Years ended December 31,  
Current income tax expense in the consolidated statement of other comprehensive loss:   2023     2022     2021  
Total tax effect on items reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss   $         -     $          -     $        -  

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
Deferred tax assets:   2023     2022     2021  
Project expenses   $ (18,040 )   $ (18,618 )   $ (20,810 )
Lease liabilities     (45 )     (56 )     (6 )
Liabilities     (10,249 )     (12,745 )     (6,184 )
Losses carried forward (including tax credit)     (31,491 )     (17,010 )     (10,706 )
Basis for deferred tax assets:   $ (59,825 )     (48,429 )     (37,706 )

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
Deferred tax liabilities:   2023     2022     2021  
Non-current financial assets   $ -     $ 31,249     $ 51,191  
Basis for deferred tax liabilities:   $ -     $ 31,249     $ 51,191  
                         
Net deferred taxes:   $ (13,162 )   $ (3,780 )   $ 2,967  
Deferred tax asset not recognized:     13,162       3,780       -  
Net deferred taxes in the consolidated statements of financial position:   $ -     $ -     $ 2,967  

 

As a result of reported losses in prior periods and uncertainty with regards to whether taxable profits will be available against which the unused tax losses can be utilised, management is of the opinion that the deferred tax asset does not meet the recognition criteria under IAS 12 Income Taxes.

 

The Group’s operations are only subject to income tax in Norway. The statutory income tax rate is 22%.

 

22


 

4.5 Income tax (Continued)

 

 

A reconciliation of tax expense is as follows:
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
  Years ended December 31,  
Reconciliation of income tax expense   2023     2022     2021  
Loss before tax   $ (4,174 )   $ (30,872 )   $ (5,867 )
Tax benefit 22% (Norwegian tax rate)     918       6,792       1,292  
Change to prior period tax benefit     -       -       -  
Permanent differences*     8,485       (50 )     -  
Effects of foreign tax rates     -       -       -  
Currency effects     -       5       (136 )
Effect of not recognizing deferred tax assets     (9,382 )     (3,780 )     -  
Recognized income tax benefit   $ -     $ 2,967     $ 1,156  

 

* The permanent difference for 2023 relates to the fair value adjustment of the call option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST.

 

5 - Other operating activities

 

5.1 Other current assets

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
Other current assets   2023     2022  
Prepaid expenses   $ 295     $ 1  
VAT receivable     122       11  
Total other current assets   $ 417     $ 11  

 

5.2 Trade payables

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)       As of December 31,  
Trade payables   Note     2023     2022  
Trade payables     8.3     $ 5,038     $ 1,856  
Total Trade payables           $ 5,038     $ 1,856  

 

The Group has incurred penalty interest of $96 thousand in 2023 (2022: $113 thousand and 2021: nil) due to late payments.

 

23


 

5.3 Provisions

 

 

The Group classifies provisions in the following categories:

 

Provisions for Management-for-Hire (MFH): contains provisions related to accrued fees for consultants acting in roles such as CEO, CFO and CIO on behalf of the Group, which will be payable only at the time Crown LNG has secured the development funding for the Kakinada Terminal Project (FID funding). These provisions are accounted for under IAS 19 Employee Benefits.

 

Board Remuneration: includes provisions related to compensation of the Board of Directors

 

Cash-settled share-based payment include:

 

provisions related to a management-for-hire agreement with Lars Mårdalen (Director of Finance & Business Development)

 

provisions for consultant fees which are incurred when specific milestones are delivered, and where the fixed fees may be settled in shares or cash, at the discretion of Crown LNG. The fees will be payable contingent on a successful FID for the Kakinada Terminal project. Provisions are recorded at the time the underlying service is delivered, i.e., when a milestone has been met.

 

Exclusivity agreement with GBTRON: includes provisions related to exclusivity fees for the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON a FSRU.

 

Other provisions mainly comprise fixed retainer fees to LNG-9 PTE LTD for delivered consultancy services.

 

Provisions for Management for Hire

 

The Group entered into a management for hire (MFH) agreement with Black Kite AS on July 5, 2020, in which Crown LNG Holding AS has engaged Joern Husemoen to act as CFO on behalf of Crown LNG. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason whatsoever during the contracted period. 1/3 of the monthly fee (NOK 400 thousand) is invoiced and payable each month whereas 2/3 is payable contingent on the Group achieving pre-FID funding. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, incurred and un-invoiced fees, before currency translation effects, amounted to $873 thousand and $1.3 million, respectively. The agreement was entered into on July 1, 2020 and will be in force until August 31, 2024.

 

The Group has entered into a MFH agreement with Gantt Consulting AS, in which Crown LNG has engaged Gunnar Knutsen to act as CEO on behalf of Crown LNG AS. The agreement was entered into on July 10, 2020. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason whatsoever during the contracted period. 1/3 of the monthly fee (NOK 575,000) is invoiced and payable each month whereas 2/3 is payable contingent on the Group achieving pre-FID funding. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, incurred and un-invoiced fees, before currency translation effects, amounted to $1.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The agreement was renewed on April 1, 2023, and will remain in force for 24 months and then automatically expire.

 

The Group has entered into a MFH agreement with Swapan Kataria on January 1, 2022, to act as managing director in Crown LNG India AS (CIO) and Chief Sales Officer (CSO) for the Group, for a monthly fee of NOK 400,000. The contract is in force until December 31, 2028, with an option to extend the term for 12 consecutive months. In contrast to the MFH arrangements with Black Kite and Gantt, the entire fee will be invoiced and become payable when the Group achieves pre-FID funding. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, incurred and un-invoiced fees, before currency translation effects, amounted to $487 thousand and $829 thousand, respectively.

 

Provision for Board Remuneration

 

The Chairman of the Board and board members receive compensation to reflect the responsibility, expertise and time spent on the Group. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, board remuneration amounted to $247 thousand and $228 thousand, respectively. Unpaid compensation amounted to $434 thousand and $409 thousand, respectively. The unpaid compensation is deferred until the Group has completed its ongoing capitalization through the public listing.

 

24


 

5.3 Provisions (Continued)

 

 

Cash-settled share based payment liabilities

 

On November 29, 2023, Crown entered into a management-for-hire agreement with Lars Mårdalen, to act as Director of Finance & Business Development for Crown LNG Holding AS until September 2024, at which point the agreement is planned to be replaced with a new contract of employment as a member of the Crown LNG Management Team. The compensation for the assignment is NOK 200,000 per month, excluding VAT, payable in cash upon completion of the Business Combination Agreement (BCA) with Catcha Group. In the event that the BCA with Catcha Group does not close, or is delayed, the parties have agreed to treat the fee owed to Mr. Mårdalen as a convertible debt to be settled in cash or in shares within six months following the planned end date of the arrangement. The debt note shall accrue interest at 6% per annum. Additionally, in the event of a successful closing of the BCA, an additional compensation of NOK 200,000 shall be paid to Mr. Mårdalen. As of December 31, 2023, incurred and un-invoiced fees amounted to $20 thousand. The agreement is accounted for as a cash-settled share-based payment. Refer to note 2.5 for more detail regarding the accounting treatment of the agreement.

 

The Group has entered into a service agreement with LNG-9 PTE Ltd in which the Group will pay a monthly retainer fee in addition to fixed fees when specific milestones are met related to the signing of different target contracts related to the Kakinada Terminal Project. The fees will be invoiced and payable only when the Group reaches FID. Management has applied a probability weighted approach when estimating the fair value of the cash-settled liability, by adjusting the fees according to the terms of the contract with the probability of the Group reaching FID (estimated to 65% probability as of December 31, 2023). Refer to note 2.5 for more detail regarding the determination of probabilities with respect to reaching FID. As of December 31, 2023, FID related to the Kakinada Terminal Project is estimated for Q2 2026. Below is a summary of the key terms of the two milestones for which management has recorded a provision:

 

On signing of the Exclusivity Agreement for project development, delivery and operation and maintenance for the LNG terminal for minimum 30 years, the Group will pay $6.0 million. The fee invoiced may be paid in shares by conversion based on valuation used for pre-FID funding with a discount of 20%. Crown has the intent of settling in cash, and the fee is considered a cash-settled share-based payment provision within the scope of IFRS 2. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, management recorded an accumulated provision of $2.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

 

On signing of Investment Agreement for minority ownership of 15% or more in EAST the Group will pay a lump sum of $2.0 million. The fee invoiced may be paid in shares by conversion based on pre-FID valuation used for funding with a discount of 20%. Crown has the intent of settling in cash, and the fee is considered a cash-settled share-based payment within the scope of IFRS 2. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, management recorded an accumulated provision of $994 thousand and $1.1 million, respectively.

 

Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited (GBTRON)

 

On August 2020, the Group entered into an Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON for the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) on a day-rate to be agreed in a future lease agreement. Under the agreement, Crown LNG will pay an exclusivity fee of $4.0 million, originally due at the end of December 31, 2022, the fee has not been paid and the due date was negotiated and deferred to 2023. Thereafter, the Group will pay an annual exclusivity fee of $1.0 million until FID of the FSRU. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023, management recorded an accumulated provision of $4.0 million and $5.0 million, respectively. On October 30, 2023, the parties entered into an amendment stating that Crown can extend payments until February 28, 2024, subject to payment of a monthly extension fee of $160 thousand, thus the $5.0 million provision is not paid as of December 31, 2023. The payment falls due on February 28, 2024 as per the amendment agreement, however the parties are currently in discussions to extend the payment terms, and monthly payments have been extended subsequent to February 28, 2024.

 

Other

 

Other provisions mainly comprise the fixed retainer fees related to the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with LNG-9 PTE LTD for delivered consultancy services. During 2023, the parties agreed to terminate the JDA, and as a result, the retainer fees under the JDA during the period January 2022 until December 2022 are no longer required to be paid due to the fact that the global sales organization has been onboarded under individual MFH-arrangements since January 2022. Other provisions as of December 31, 2023 mainly comprise various consultancy fees in addition to remaining retainer fees incurred prior to January 1, 2022.

 

25


 

5.3 Provisions (Continued)

 

 

A provision is made and calculated based on management assumptions at the time the provision is made and is updated as and when new information becomes available. All provisions are reviewed at each reporting period.

 

Reconciliation of provisions and other liabilities:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Board
Remuneration
    Cash-settled
share-based
payments
   

Provisions
for
MFH

    Other     Exclusivity
agreement
with
GBTRON
    Total  
As of January 1, 2022   $ 614       4,275       1,323       1,464       2,293       9,969  
Additional provisions made     182       -       1,188       718       1,705       3,793  
Adjustment cash-settled payment     -       (299 )     -       -       -       (299 )
Amounts paid     (326 )     -               -       -       (326 )
Currency translation effects     (36 )     -       (139 )     (154 )     -       (329 )
As of December 31, 2022   $ 434       3,975       2,372       2,028       3,998       12,807  
Current provisions   $ 434       -               10       3,998       4,442  
Non-current provisions   $ -       3,975       2,372       2,015       -       8,366  
As of January 1, 2023     434       3,975       2,372       2,028       3,998       12,807  
Additional provisions made     176       20       1,148       245       1,000       2,588  
Adjustment cash-settled payment     -       783       -       -       -       783  
Reclassifications     (98 )     -       -       (191 )     -       (290 )
Forgiven retainer fee     -       -       -       (521 )     -       (521 )
Currency translation effects     (8 )     -       (49 )     (44 )     2       (99 )
As of December 31, 2023   $ 504       4,778       3,471       1,516       5,000       15,269  
Current provisions   $ 504       20       3,471       1,516       5,000       10,511  
Non-current provisions   $ -       4,758       -       -       -       4,758  

 

26


 

6 - Group structure

 

6.1 Group companies

 

 

The consolidated entities

The subsidiaries of Crown LNG Holding AS are presented below:

 

        December 31, 2023  
    Office   CUR   Shareholding     Group’s voting share  
Crown LNG AS   Norway   NOK     100 %     100 %
CIO Investment AS*   Norway   NOK     38.68 %     100 %
Crown LNG India AS   Norway   NOK     95.1 %     100 %
Crown LNG India Limited   Hong Kong   NOK     95.1 %     100 %
Crown LNG Holding USA LLP**   USA   NOK     100 %     100 %

 

* CIO Investment AS is an intermediate holding company with the main purpose of being owner for investments in the Group’s projects in India.

 

In July 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS entered into an agreement by accepting subscription forms from external shareholders for sale of certain of its shares in CIO Investments AS. Under the agreement, the shares are sold with a put option exercisable by the shareholders at the time of successful public listing in US at a strike price of NOK 5.23 per share. Crown LNG Holding AS was able to sell approximately 2.5 million shares at a total price of NOK 5 million ($493 thousand). Post the execution of this transaction Crown LNG Holding AS now holds 38.68% in CIO Investment AS. However, Crown LNG Holding AS still holds the only share with voting rights and remains in control of CIO Investments AS. The put option is not recognized as a financial liability as it is considered under the Group’s control not to conduct an IPO.

 

** Crown LNG Holding USA LLP is a non-capitalized dormant company for the periods covered by these consolidated financial statements.

 

All subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements.

 

27


 

7 - Fixed assets

 

7.1 Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

 

 

The Group’s leased assets

 

The leased asset recognized in the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2021 relates to a lease of office space at Skøyen Atrium in Oslo, Norway. The lease had a lease term of 5 years. However, the lease was terminated in June 2022, after signing a settlement agreement with the lessor. As a result, the Group’s leased meeting room equipment is temporarily not in use, and it is uncertain at what time the equipment will be used again. Hence, the right of use asset has been impaired. As of December 31, 2022 the Group had only one lease related to office equipment. As of December 31, 2022 and 2023 the Group did not recognize any right-of-use assets on the Consolidated statements of financial position. Low value leases during 2022 and 2023 have been expensed as incurred as set out in the table below.

 

The Group’s right-of-use assets recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position are presented in the table below.

 

Right-of-use assets                  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Office
space
    Office
equipment
    Total  
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2021   $ 753       -       753  
Additions of right-of-use assets     -       75       75  
Terminated contracts     (614 )     -       (614 )
Impairment     -       (61 )     (61 )
Depreciation     (77 )     (6 )     (83 )
Other/Currency translation effects     (62 )     (8 )     (70 )
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2022   $ -       -       -  
Additions of right-of-use assets     -       -       -  
Terminated contracts     -       -       -  
Impairment     -       -       -  
Depreciation     -       -       -  
Other/Currency translation effects     -       -       -  
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2023   $ -       -       -  

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Years ended December 31,  
Expenses in the period related to practical expedients and variable payments   2023     2022     2021  
Short-term lease expenses   $ -       -       -  
Low-value assets lease expenses     -       10       1  
Total lease expenses in the period   $ -       10       1  

 

The lease expense in the periods related to low-value assets are included in Other operating expenses in the Consolidated statements of comprehensive income, and the payments are presented in the Group’s operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

28


 

7.1 Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities (Continued)

 

 

The Group’s lease liabilities
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
  As of December 31,  
Undiscounted lease liabilities and maturity of cash outflows   2023     2022  
Less than one year   $ 16       16  
One to two years     16       16  
Two to three years     16       16  
Three to four years     1       16  
Four to five years     -       1  
More than five years     -       -  
Total undiscounted lease liabilities   $ 49       65  

 

Lease liabilities   Office     Office        
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   space     equipment     Total  
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2021   $ 759       -       759  
New leases recognized during the period     -       75       75  
Terminated contracts     (629 )     -       (629 )
Cash payments     (93 )     (15 )     (108 )
Interest expense on lease liabilities     24       4       28  
Other/Currency translation effects     (60 )     (8 )     (69 )
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2022   $ -       56       56  
New leases recognized during the period     -       -       -  
Terminated contracts     -       -       -  
Cash payments     -       (16 )     (16 )
Interest expense on lease liabilities     -       3       3  
Other/Currency translation effects     -       2       2  
Carrying amount as of December 31, 2023   $ -       45       45  
Current lease liabilities in the statements of financial position     -       13       13  
Non-current lease liabilities in the statements of financial position     -       32       32  

 

29


 

8 - Financial instruments and equity

 

8.1 Overview of financial instruments

 

 

The carrying amount of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are presented in the tables below:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)       Financial
instruments
at amortized
    Fair value
through
profit or
       
As of December 31, 2023   Notes   cost     loss     Total  
Assets                      
Receivables                      
Other current assets   5.1   $ 417       -       417  
Cash and cash equivalents   8.6     88       -       88  
Current financial assets   8.5     -       4,228       4,228  
Non-current financial assets   8.5     -       242,360       242,360  
Total financial assets       $ 504       246,588       247,092  
                             
Liabilities                            
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings including trade payables and other non-current liabilities                            
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2   $ 1,223       -       1,223  
Non-current lease liabilities   7.1     32       -       32  
Current lease liabilities   7.1     13       -       13  
Other current liabilities   8.9     750       -       750  
Current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     1,212       954       2,166  
Trade payables   5.2     5,038       -       5,038  
Total financial liabilities       $ 8,269       954       9,222  

 

Finance income and finance costs arising from the Group’s financial instruments are disclosed separately in note 4.4.

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)       Financial
instruments
at amortized
    Fair value
through
profit
       
As of December 31, 2022   Notes   cost     or loss     Total  
Assets
Receivables
                     
Other current assets   5.1   $ 11       -       11  
Cash and cash equivalents   8.6     36       -       36  
Non-current financial assets   8.5     -       31,249       31,249  
Total financial assets       $ 47       31,249       31,296  
                             
Liabilities                            
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings including trade payables and other non-current liabilities                            
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2   $ 1,689       -       1,689  
Non-current lease liabilities   7.1     44       -       44  
Current lease liabilities   7.1     12       -       12  
Current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     -       -       -  
Trade payables   5.2     1,856       -       1,856  
Total financial liabilities       $ 3,601       -       3,601  

 

Finance income and finance expense arising from the Group’s financial instruments are disclosed separately in note 4.4.

 

30


 

8.2 Interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

Specification of the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
  Interest rate       December 31,     December 31,  
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   (annual)   Maturity   2023     2022  
Debt to Board of Directors   15%   At pre-FID funding*   $ -     $ 256  
Shareholder Loan   0%**   At FID*     1,223       945  
Promissory notes   12% and 15%   At pre-FID funding     -       488  
Total non-current interest-bearing liabilities           $ 1,223     $ 1,689  

 

* At December 31, 2023, Final Investment Decision (FID) related to the Kakinada Terminal Project is estimated to occur in Q2 2026.

 

** The loan has a zero nominal rate, however upon initial recognition it is discounted with an applicable market rate giving an effective annual interest rate of 20%.

 

Debt to Board of Directors consists of a shareholder loan from Black Kite, in which Black Kite has delivered services related to an Export Terminal Project in the US Gulf of Mexico, which becomes payable at pre-FID funding, which will occur approximately 18-24 months prior to FID for the project. The loan has an interest payable on the unpaid principal at the rate of 15% per annum.

 

Shareholder Loan comprise the redemption amount on the 2021 convertible loans which were partially settled in 2022. The principal portion of the loan was settled against shares in a subsidiary entity. Additionally, the Group granted the lenders put options and cash consideration, contingent on the Group achieving FID and IPO by June 30, 2024 respectively. These are not recognized as financial liabilities as it is considered within the Group’s control not to complete the IPO and FID. The current estimate is that the IPO will be achieved subsequent to June 30, 2024 and FID has been delayed and will be reached in Q2 2026, hence the criterion to meet IPO and FID within June 30, 2024 will not be met.

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Interest rate       December 31,     December 31,  
Current interest-bearing liabilities   (annual)   Maturity   2023     2022  
Debt to Board of Directors   15%   At pre-FID funding   $ 284       -  
Short-term loan from LNG-9   24%   November 30, 2024     400     $           -  
Promissory notes   12% and 15%   At pre-FID funding     529       -  
Catcha Loan   0%   At BCA*     954       -  
Total current interest-bearing liabilities           $ 2,166     $ -  

  

31


 

8.2 Interest-bearing liabilities (Continued)

 

 

Short-term loan from LNG-9 comprise a loan of $200 thousand subject to 24% annual interest rate, invoiced and payable on a monthly basis. The loan had an initial maturity on November 23, 2023 but was deferred until November 30, 2024 and increased with $160 thousand as per the agreement dated November 30, 2023. Refer to note 9.2 for further information.

 

Promissory notes include loans to other shareholders. The loans have an interest payable on the unpaid principal at the rate of 12% and 15% per annum, and will mature when the Group achieves pre-FID funding, which is estimated to occur around 18 to 24 months prior to FID which is expected in Q2 2026.

 

On October 27, 2023, Catcha and Crown entered into a promissory note whereby Catcha agreed to provide a loan in the principal amount of $750 thousand to Crown to fund working capital until the closing of the BCA. Crown has agreed to repay the $750 thousand to Catcha within ten (10) business days of Catcha providing Crown with written notice of demand after the Closing. The Catcha Loan will mature upon the completion of the BCA. In the event that the BCA is terminated or does not close, the loan agreement regulates how the loan should be repaid which is at the discretion of the lender (1) $1.75 million in cash, or (2) $1.0 million in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s stock equal to 1.5% of the oustanding common shares of stock. Depending on the outcome of the BCA, the loan will either be repaid at 0% interest rate, or an incremental amount will be due. The fair value of the Catcha Loan reflects the probability of either completing the BCA and achieving IPO or the alternative payment methods. Refer to note 8.5 for further details of the loan, including sensitivities of the IPO significant assumption.

 

The reconciliation of changes in liabilities incurred as a result of financing activities are presented in note 8.3. The Group has not given any guarantees to, or on behalf of, third parties in the current or previous period.

 

32


 

8.3 Aging of financial liabilities

 

 

Contractual undiscounted cash flows from financial liabilities are presented below:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)         Less than     6 to 12     1 to 3     3 to 5     Over 5        
As of December 31, 2023   Notes     6 months     months     years     years     years     Total  
Financial liabilities                                          
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     $ -       -       -       1,223       -       1,223  
Current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2       954       1,212       -       -       -       2,166  
Trade payables   5.2       5,038       -       -       -       -       5,038  
Non-current lease liabilities   7.1       -       -       15       17       -       32  
Current lease liabilities   7.1       7       6       -       -       -       13  
Other current liabilities   8.9       750                                       750  
Total financial liabilities         $ 6,749       1,219       15       1,240       -       9,222  

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)         Less than     6 to 12     1 to 3     3 to 5     Over 5        
As of December 31, 2022   Notes     6 months     months     years     years     years     Total  
Financial liabilities                                          
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities   8.2     $ -       -       1,689       -       -       1,689  
Trade payables   5.2       1,856       -       -       -       -       1,857  
Non-current lease liabilities   7.1       -       -       28       16       -       44  
Current lease liabilities   7.1       6       6               -       -       12  
Total financial liabilities         $ 1,862       6       1,717       16       -       3,601  

 

33


 

8.4 Financial risk management

 

 

Overview

 

The Group’s principal financial liabilities, comprise interest-bearing liabilities, lease liabilities, prepayment of shareholder loans, and trade payables. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the Group’s operations. The Group’s principal financial assets relate to the future payment rights in KGLNG, warrant receivable, and cash from financing activities.

 

The Group is exposed to a range of risks affecting its financial performance, including market risk and liquidity risk. The Group seeks to minimize potential adverse effects of such risks through sound business practice, risk management and strategic investments, including investments in share options and other step-up opportunities, limiting the initial exposure for future development projects.

 

Risk management is carried out under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarized below.

 

Market risk

 

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk for the Group comprise of foreign currency risk. Financial instruments affected by market risk include trade payables and provisions for various consultancy fees and board remuneration.

 

Foreign currency risk:

 

Foreign currency risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of an exposure will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates relates primarily to the Group’s provisions, of which the majority is set to be paid in U.S. Dollars. Payment of these provisions are dependent on FID-funding related to the Kakinada Terminal Project. The Group is also exposed to currency risk related to a contingent cash consideration and put option (contingent on IPO and FID before June 30, 2024 and Q2 2026, respectively), which are features included in the modified shareholder loan agreement entered into in 2022. These are not yet recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position, but may have an effect on cash flows in the future.

 

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonable possible change in USD exchange rates with all other variables held constant.

 

        Change in   Effect on loss
Foreign currency sensitivity   Date   FX rate   before tax Effect on equity
Increase / decrease in NOK/USD   December 31, 2023   +/- 10%   (734) / 734   (734) / 734
Increase / decrease in NOK/USD   December 31, 2022   +/- 10%   (935) / 935   (935) / 935

 

The sensitivity analysis is based on booked amounts of financial instruments and does not include the consideration of contingent cash consideration and put option.

 

34


 

8.4 Financial risk management (Continued)

 

 

Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group, being a start-up company in a highly capital-intensive market is significantly exposed to liquidity risk. To reduce the Group’s liquidity risk, management has been working on raising capital for the Group. This process has included debt conversions and direct capital contributions from the existing shareholders during 2021, 2022 and 2023. On August 3, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS entered into a definite business combination agreement to go public in United States through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The listing is expected to raise further capital, the Group plans to use the proceeds from the SPAC deal and related funding received as part of the listing process to fund ongoing anchor projects to final investment decision (FID). Refer to note 1 for further detail.

 

In relation to vendors necessary to deliver services to the projects, management is focusing on a strategy to limit price risks, and therefore for most of its significant contracts, utilize fixed price arrangements, to ensure satisfactory liquidity budgeting in the Group.

 

Credit risk:

 

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or contract leading to a financial loss. The Group’s exposure to credit risk is limited, as the Group’s receivables mainly relate to VAT receivables towards the Norwegian Tax Authorities and cash in large financial institutions.

 

Interest rate risk:

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates are limited, as the Group has cash in low interest bank accounts and does not have any external financing with floating interest rates.

 

35


 

8.5 Fair value measurement

 

 

Management has assessed that the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, other current assets, trade payables and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments and the current risk-free interest rates.

 

Instruments associated with EAST and KGLNG

 

EAST owns the outstanding shares of Krishna Godavari LNG Terminal Private Limited (KGLNG). KGLNG currently owns an approved license valid for 35 years to operate an offshore LNG import and regasification terminal at Kakinada Deep Water Port. In relation to EAST and KGLNG, the Group currently holds the following instruments:

 

Call option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST – The call option has a strike price of $15 million (of which $0.5 million has already been paid) and can be exercised through a payment of the remaining $14.5 million, where Crown will receive a 15% ownership interest of EAST. The 15% call option is exercisable upon FID. Refer to further details in note 9.2.

 

Option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG – As a part of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement, Crown obtained an option to purchase 99.81% of the shares in KGLNG for an exercise price of $60 million to be settled by way of issuing a promissory note to EAST. This option can be exercised at any time from the completion of the BCA to August 3, 2024.

 

Future payment right – As a part of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement, Crown agreed to acquire a future payment right in an amount equal to all future distributions made by KGLNG to its shareholders until the aggregate amount of such distributions equals $3.266 billion, in which Crown issued equity as consideration to EAST. The future payment right was initially recognized with a fair value adjustment of $242.3 million. Refer to note 8.7 for further details of this transaction.

 

When negotiating the terms of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement entered into on August 3, 2023, the parties contemplated the option to purchase the 15% ownership in EAST that was held by Crown. Both agreements relate to the same underlying value (KGLNG), include the same related counterparties and the signing of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement affects the value of the option to purchase the 15% ownership in EAST. Based on this fact, management has, for accounting purposes, considered the two agreements as linked. Accordingly, management has considered the fair value loss related to the 15% EAST option, that derived as a result of the parties entering into the KGLNG Transaction Agreement, as part of the consideration granted for the future payment right acquired through the KGLNG Transaction Agreement (i.e. not recognized through the statement of comprehensive income).

 

The fair values of the call option to purchase 15% ownership in EAST, option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG and the future payment right are derived from the estimated value of KGLNG as the sole asset of EAST. To estimate the fair value of KGLNG, the income approach was used, which takes into consideration the enterprise value based on a discounted cash flow model. Since the three instruments are linked and all relate to the same underlying value, the assessment and measurement was performed as if they were one instrument.

 

To appropriately adjust for the risk, two approaches have been applied for which the mid-point of the two calculated values has been used to determine the fair value. The first approach utilizes a discount rate on the fair value of KGLNG using an early stage required return of 35%, assumed to represent the required rate of return for an investor, e.g., a VC fund, given the current state of the Group. The second approach utilizes an overall probability-weighted best estimate by applying a reduction of 35% to the post-money FID valuation, which is reflective of the risk of not reaching FID.

 

The valuation is subject to uncertainty because it is measured based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore designated as a Level 3 fair value instrument. The unobservable inputs include, but are not limited to, the terminal fee, the regasification price, capacity factor, the discount rate (WACC), Venture Capital discount rate, and probability of reaching FID. If factors change and different assumptions are used, other finance (expense)/income could be materially different.

 

Up until October 24, 2023, the fair value of only the call option to acquire 15% of EAST was considered with any changes in the fair value being recognized in finance income (expense) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Upon the acquisition of the future payment rights and the option to acquire 99.81% of KGLNG, the call option to acquire 15% of EAST still exists, however management assesses the fair value of these three instruments as they were one instrument (below labled “future payments rights”), due to the fact that they are related to the same underlying value to avoid double counting and arbitrary allocations. See also note 8.7 for more information.

 

36


 

8.5 Fair value measurement (Continued)

 

 

Contingent consideration related to warrant exercise on January 9, 2023

 

In 2023, the Group offered to replace all outstanding warrants with new shares. In order to subscribe to the shares, the warrant holders agreed to pay an additional consideration of NOK 6.09 per share contingent on the Group completing an IPO. The additional consideration receivable from the shareholders is accounted for as a financial asset at fair value through profit or loss. The fair value is computed using two methods, where the first approach utilizes an early-stage company discount rate and the second approach uses a probability weighted approach based on a probability of achieving an IPO, discounted using a risk-free rate. The fair value is estimated as the mid-point value of the two calculated values. Reference is made to note 2.5 for further detail. The valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 fair value instrument. Significant assumptions applied in the computation of the fair value include the IPO date, probability of IPO of 70%, and the early-stage company discount rate of 35% as of December 31, 2023.

 

Option to acquire GBTRON

 

On August 3, 2023, concurrent with the BCA, GBTRON Lands Limited and Crown LNG entered into a transaction agreement for (i) amendment to Exclusivity Agreement to, among other things, extend the long stop date of the FID for the Grangemouth Project to December 31, 2025, (ii) GBTRON to set up a new limited liability company (“NewCo”) and transfer certain rights, obligations and assets in connection with development of the Grangemouth Project to NewCo upon exercise of the GBTRON Option by Crown, and (iii) grant to Crown an option to purchase all the issued shares of NewCo to be exercised at any time from the completion of the Business Combination to August 3, 2024.

 

GBTRON granted to Crown LNG the GBTRON option to require that GBTRON (a) transfers the NewCo Assets to NewCo and (b) sells all the issued shares of NewCo to Crown at a nominal exercise price of £1 in aggregate. The GBTRON option is exercisable by Crown LNG, at its discretion, at any time from the completion of the BCA to August 3, 2024. Upon the exercise of the GBTRON option, GBTRON will execute the NewCo Assets Transfer and NewCo will issue the NewCo Purchase Promissory Note in favor of GBTRON in the principal amount of $25 million as consideration for the transfer of the NewCo Assets. GBTRON will transfer the shares in NewCo to Crown LNG for a cash consideration of $1.00. Immediately thereafter, GBTRON shall transfer the NewCo Purchase Promissory Note to PubCo in consideration for the issuance of PubCo Ordinary Shares for an aggregate amount of $25 million based on a per share price equal to 95% of the closing price of PubCo Ordinary Shares on the business day prior to the option exercise.

 

Crown acquired the GBTRON option through an orderly transaction with GBTRON at no additional cost. There have been no significant changes in either the fundraising landscape or the outlook for the Grangemouth project between the agreement date and the valuation date, with the most recent orderly transaction occurring less than six months prior. The fair value applied to the GBTRON option is equal to that of the recent orderly transaction, and the fair value was assessed as $0.

 

Catcha Loan

 

On October 27, 2023, Crown LNG Holdings AS (“Crown”) and Catcha Investment Corp. (“Catcha”) entered into a promissory note whereby Catcha agreed to provide a loan in the principal amount of $750 thousand (the “Catcha Loan”) to Crown to fund the working capital until the closing of the BCA. The Catcha Loan of $750 thousand is repayable within 10 business days of Catcha providing Crown with written notice of demand after the Closing of the BCA.

 

In the event that the BCA is terminated or does not close, the loan agreement regulates how the loan should be repaid which is at the discretion of the lender (i.e., Catcha): (1) $1.75 million in cash, or (2) $1.0 in cash and a number of shares of Crown’s stock equal to 1.5% of the outstanding common shares of stock. If this payment is not made within 10 business days, then Crown will transfer warrants that entitle Catcha to purchase a number of shares of stock equal to 0.30% per annum of the outstanding stock of Catcha for a price per share of $0.01 accruing monthly until the time that Catcha receives the full amount of the payment as summarized above.

 

Each repayment option was assessed with a probability assigned to each potential outcome to calculate the fair value of the Catcha Loan. At initial recognition, the discount rate was calculated that would calibrate the outcome to ensure the fair value equaled the transaction price of $750 thousand. As there was no change in the probabilities assigned to each option as there no changes in the fundraising and market conditions of Crown between October 27, 2023 and December 31, 2023, the same discount rate was then applied to calculate the fair value based on the probability-weighted outcomes as of December 31, 2023. The valuation is based on significant unobservable inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 fair value instrument. The significant assumptions applied in the computation of the fair value are the IPO date and probability of IPO of 70% for the period ended December 31, 2023. The probability of paying $1.75 million in cash was estimated at 30% and the probability of paying $1.0 in cash and 1.5% of Crown’s outstanding common shares in stock was estimated as 0%. These probabilities are based on the assumption that the lender would prefer cash to unlisted common stock in the event that the BCA is terminated.

 

37


 

8.5 Fair value measurement (Continued)

 

 

Set out below is a comparison, by class, of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Note     Carrying amount     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Financial assets as of December 31, 2023                                                                                       
Future payment right           242,351       242,351                       X  
Contingent consideration related to warrant exercise           4,228       4,228                       X  
Total             246,579       246,579                          

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Note     Carrying amount     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3
Financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023                                  
Shareholder Loans     8.2       1,223       1,223                                               X
Debt to Board of Directors     8.2       -       -                     X
Catcha Loan     8.2       954       954                     X
Short-term loan from LNG-9     8.2       400       400                     X
Promissory notes     8.2       529       529                     X
Total           3,150       3,150                      

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Note     Carrying amount     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Financial assets as of December 31, 2022                                                                                                              
Option to acquire 15% ownership in EAST           31,249       31,249                       X  
Total           31,249       31,249                          

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Note     Carrying amount     Fair value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3
Financial liabilities as of December 31, 2022                                  
Shareholder loans     8.2       945       1,017                                           X
Debt to Board of Directors     8.2       256       256                     X
Promissory notes     8.2       488       488                   X
Total           1,689       1,761                  

 

38


 

8.5 Fair value measurement (Continued)

 

 

Sensitivity analysis of the contingent consideration related to the warrant exercise

 

A quantitative sensitivity analysis of the significant unobservable inputs is shown below, in which the term ‘value’ indicates the value of the financial asset given a certain percentage change in the significant assumption as of December 31, 2023:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)                        
As of December 31, 2023   Input values     Value  
Assumption   Low     High     Low     High  
Probability of IPO     65 %     75 %     4,101       4,355  
Early-stage company discount rate     30 %     40 %     4,240       4,217  

 

Sensitivity analysis the Catcha Loan

 

A quantitative sensitivity analysis of the significant unobservable inputs is shown below, in which the term ‘value’ indicates the value of the financial liability given a change in the significant assumption as of December 31, 2023:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)                        
As of December 31, 2023   Input values     Value  
Assumption   Low     High     Low     High  
Probability of IPO     75 %     65 %     921       985  

 

Sensitivity analysis of the inputs used to measure the instruments associated with KGLNG and EAST

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the option, together with a quantitative sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, are shown below:

 

The calculation of the fair value of the option is most sensitive to the following assumptions:

 

Terminal fee

 

Regasification price

 

Capacity factor

 

Discount rate (WACC)

 

Venture Capital (VC) discount rate

 

Probability of reaching FID

 

A description of the key assumptions are included within note 2.5 Use of accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions.

 

39


 

8.5 Fair value measurement (Continued)

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)                        
As of December 31, 2023   Input values     Value of future
payment right *
 
Assumption   Low     High     Low     High  
Terminal fee     5 %     (5 )%     217,920       266,781  
Regasification price     (5 )%     5 %     201,613       283,088  
Capacity factor     88 %     98 %     198,547       286,155  
WACC     12 %     8 %     186,731       318,543  

 

Risk adjustment sensitivities   Low     High     Low     High  
Approach 1: VC Discount rate     40 %     30 %     220,067       267,565  
Approach 2: Probability of reaching FID     60 %     70 %     217,110       267,591  

 

                Value of 15% call  
As of December 31, 2022   Input values     option *  
Assumption   Low     High     Low     High  
Terminal fee     5 %     (5 )%     28,026       34,472  
Regasification price     (5 )%     5 %     25,858       36,640  
Capacity Factor     88 %     98 %     25,865       36,634  
WACC     12 %     8 %     24,424       40,579  

 

Risk adjustment sensitivities   Low     High     Low     High  
Approach 1: VC Discount rate     40 %     30 %     28,506       34,391  
Approach 2: Probability of reaching FID     50 %     60 %     28,265       34,233  

 

The sensitivity analysis is based on a change in a significant assumption, keeping all other assumptions constant. Furthermore, these intervals are determined based on a high-level assessment to illustrate the sensitivity of the option to the most significant value drivers. However, the intervals applied in this sensitivity and the estimated output values must not be read as a limitation of possible outer intervals. The sensitivity analysis may not be representative of an actual change in the valuation as it is unlikely that changes in assumptions would occur in isolation from one another.

 

The option value includes a risk adjustment that is applied in order to capture the early stage state of the business. The risk adjustment is performed based on a combination of two approaches, where one approach utilize a variant of the venture capital method with a discount rate of 35% over an assumed period of 2.3 years from December 31, 2023, until FID (2.7 years from December 31, 2022), which is reflective of management’s anticipated timeline for the project and where the other approach utilize a scenario weighting with a 65% success probability. The mid-point between the two approaches has been used to determine the fair value.

 

*In the sensitivities for the two approaches to risk adjustment presented above, the sensitized value is calculated based on the isolated impact of a change in the assumption for each approach – assuming a corresponding change in value from the alternative approach. As an example, lowering the venture capital discount rate from 35% to 30% results in a value increase of $25,214 thousand in that specific approach. As the fair value is based on the mid-point between the two risk adjustment approaches described, the impact of this change on a stand-alone basis would be $25,214 thousand x 50 % = $12,607 thousand. However, for the purpose of the sensitivity table, we assume a correlation between the risk adjustment approaches and assume a corresponding change in value from the alternative approach and apply the change in value of $25,214 thousand on a 100% basis – resulting in a sensitized value of $267,565 thousand.

 

8.6 Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
Cash and cash equivalents   2023     2022     2021  
Bank deposits, unrestricted   $ 88     $ 36     $ 776  
Total cash and cash equivalents   $ 88     $ 36     $ 776  

 

The Group has no restricted cash.

 

40


 

8.7 Share capital and shareholders information

 

 

Issued capital and reserves:

 

Share capital in Crown LNG Holding AS   Number of shares authorized and
fully paid
    Par value per share (NOK)     Financial Position
(NOK thousands)
    Financial Position
(USD thousands)
 
As of December 31, 2021     49,203,878               492       58  
As of December 31, 2022     49,203,878               492       58  
Capital increase, April 28, 2023     8,659,553       0.01       87       8  
Capital increase, November 9, 2023 (Debt  Conversion)     137,500,000       0.01       1,375       123  
Capital increase, November 24, 2023     7,480       0.01       0       -  
As of December 31, 2023     195,370,911               1,954       189  

 

On January 4, 2023, the extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”) of Crown LNG Holding AS passed a resolution for a capital increase with a direct placement of shares towards warrant holders registered with the Company. The offer to replace the warrants with new shares included the issuance of shares at a nominal amount/subscription price of NOK 0.01 (NOK 0 in share premium). The capital increase had a cap of NOK 86,596 (8,659,553 shares). The capital increase was registered in the Norwegian Corporate Register on April 28, 2023.

 

In relation to the future payment right acquired by Crown (refer to note 8.5), it was agreed that Crown will issue a promissory note in the amount of NOK 2,887,500,000. Pursuant to the KGLNG Transaction Agreement and the KGLNG Conversion Agreement, the promissory note was converted into shares in the Group. Both the issuance of the promissory note with a face value of NOK 2,887,500,000 as payment for obtaining the future payment right and the subsequent conversion to shares occurred on the same date, October 24, 2023. Accordingly, the consideration was in substance issuance of shares.

 

Following the above, on October 24, 2023, the Board of Directors agreed to increase the share capital of the Company by NOK 1,375,000 ($123,000) by the issuance of new shares, each with a face value of NOK 0.01. The aggregate nominal subscription amount in the share capital increase is NOK 2,887,500,000, or approximately $260 million, of which NOK 1,375,000 is share capital and of which NOK 2,886,125,000 is share premium. The nominal amount for each share equals NOK 21, which entitles a nominal share premium per share of NOK 20.99 (rounded). The share capital increase was carried out by EAST upon subscription. EAST settled its obligation to pay the subscription amount of NOK 2,887,500,000 by set-off of the claim EAST had towards the Group under the promissory note initially issued as consideration. The capital increase was registered in the Norwegian Corporate Register on November 9, 2023.

 

In the consolidated financial statements, the promissory note and the related issuance of shares have been recognized based on their fair values. Management has assessed the fair value of the future payment rights to be $242.4 million as of October 24, 2023 (refer to note 8.5), for which the consideration granted consists of $38.6 million of 15% EAST option value forfeited (the 15% equity interest Crown already indirectly had in KGLNG through the 15% EAST option) and $203.8 million of fair value of promissory note/ new equity issued (for the remaining 85% of the KGLNG equity value which Crown did not have in the past), of which $205.6 million relates to share premium and ($1.9) million relates to effects on NCI.

 

41


 

8.7 Share capital and shareholders information (Continued)

 

 

Share premium
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
     
At December 31, 2021   $ 26,202  
At December 31, 2022   $ 26,202  
Issuance of shares     123  
Capital increase, November 9, 2023     205,551  
Capital increase, November 24, 2023     15  
At December 31, 2023   $ 231,891  

 

Other capital reserves

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

       
At 31 December 2021   $ 1,715  
Non-registered capital increase     34  
Share-based expenses     2,750  
At December 31, 2022   $ 4,498  
Transactions with non-controlling interests     364  
Non-registered capital increase     3,140  
Share-based expenses     890  
Warrant exercise     3,449  
At December 31, 2023   $ 12,341  

 

Nature and purpose of reserves

 

Non-registered capital increase

 

The non-registered capital increase of $3.14 million relates to funds paid in but not registered in the Norwegian Corporate Register as of December 31, 2023 and mainly includes a capital increase towards market representatives of $4.2 million (of which $2.38 million was recognized in equity in 2022 as share-based payments), conversion of claim to EACP of $658 thousand and a capital increase registered on January 30, 2024 of $520 thousand and other unregistered share capital of $141 thousand.

 

EACP agreement

 

On July 19, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS and Crown LNG India AS entered into an amendment agreement with Emerging Asia Capital Partners Company Limited (EACP), pursuant to which the retainer fees to be paid for financial advisory services is amended to increase from $20 thousand to $80 thousand per month paid in Crown common shares. Additionally, Crown issued a promissory note for the outstanding cash payments due under the original agreement and will issue a promissory note for every month going forward for the services provided under the agreement. The promissory notes are not subject to any interest as per the amended agreement, however, Crown has agreed to pay to EACP a Financing Success Fee equal to 3% on the Equity Financing raised if the source of introduction is either EACP, the Company, Crown, Mr. Kataria, LNG-9 PTE LTD or KGLNG and 1% on the Equity Financing raised if the source is from another party. The services provided under the monthly retainer arrangement are accounted for as an equity-settled share-based transaction under IFRS 2.

 

In November 2023, EACP converted its claim as of September 30, 2023 towards the Group into shares at the strike value of NOK 21. The share capital was increased by NOK 3,237.33 by issuance of 323,733 shares, each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The total contribution is NOK 6,798,400 ($657,619), of which NOK 6,795,163 is share premium.

 

Market representatives

 

In November 2023, the Company completed a capital increase directed towards market representatives (third-party advisors), whereby the market representatives convert their respective claims towards the Group into shares at the strike value agreed in the respective agreements. The share capital was increased by NOK 16,416.91 by issuance of 1,641,691 shares, each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The consideration per share is NOK 28 (rounded), which entails a share premium per share of NOK 27.99. The total contribution is NOK 45,967,358 ($4.2 million), of which NOK 45,950,941 is share premium. Further, the agreements continue to run following the debt conversion. The shares issued relate to a share-based payments arrangement originally accounted for as equity settled share-based payments under IFRS 2. Hence, the historical claims were in the consolidated financial statements historically recognized as equity and not as payables.

 

Share-based expenses

 

The Group has entered into service agreements with third party suppliers where the consideration is paid in-kind with shares in Crown LNG Holding. These are the EACP agreement and the market representatives agreements mentioned above.

  

42


 

8.7 Share capital and shareholders information (Continued)

 

 

Contingent consideration related to warrant exercise

 

The offer to replace outstanding warrants with new shares on January 4, 2023 at a nominal amount of NOK 0.01 per share, also included an obligation for the warrant holders to pay an additional consideration of NOK 6.09 per share to the Company in any of the following events i) the Company’s shares listing in a regulated market or a similar marketplace for the public trading of shares or ii) the Company entering into a definite agreement with a SPAC, and iii) the shares are outside lock-up period. The fair value of the contingent consideration is remeasured at each reporting date, with any changes in the fair value of the financial asset recognized through profit or loss.

 

NA reconciliation of the Group’s equity is presented in the statement of changes in equity.

 

The Group’s shareholders:

 

 

Shareholders in Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2023   Total number of shares     Ownership/ Voting rights  
             
Kataria Capital Corporation (CA)*     58,293,000       29.84 %
Raghava Corporate PTE (SG)     22,786,000       11.66 %
ASHA GUPTA     10,090,450       5.16 %
Other shareholder less than 5%     104,201,461       53.34 %
Total     195,370,911       100.00 %

 

* Citibank, NA is the registered owner and nominee shareholder on behalf of Kataria Capital Corporation.

 

Shareholders in Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2022   Total number of shares     Ownership/
Voting
rights
 
Kataria Capital Corporation (CA)     15,793,000       32.10 %
Black Kite AS (NO)     4,878,762       9.92 %
Raghava Corporate PTE (SG)     4,572,000       9.29 %
Fu Qiang Limited (BVI)     3,187,700       6.48 %
Gbtron Limited (UK)     2,845,000       5.78 %
Service Invest AS (NO)     2,587,300       5.26 %
Other shareholder less than 5%     15,340,116       31.17 %
Total     49,203,878       100.00 %

 

Shareholders in Crown LNG Holding AS as of December 31, 2021   Total number of shares     Ownership/ 
Voting
rights
 
Kataria Capital Corporation (CA)     15,793,000       32.10 %
Black Kite AS (NO)     4,878,762       9.92 %
Raghava Corporate Pte Ltd (SG)     4,572,000       9.29 %
Fu Qiang Ltd (BVI)     3,187,700       6.48 %
Gbtron Ltd (UK)     2,845,000       5.78 %
Service Invest AS (NO)     2,587,300       5.26 %
Other shareholder less than 5%     15,340,116       31.17 %
Total     49,203,878       100.00 %

 

43


 

8.8 Earnings per share

 

 

The following table reflects the income and share data used in the earnings per share (EPS) calculations:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
    2023     2022     2021  
Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent - for basic EPS   $ (4,170 )   $ (27,055 )   $ (4,711 )
Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent - adjusted for the effect of dilution     (4,170 )     (27,055 )     (4,711 )
Weighted average number of ordinary shares - for basic EPS (in thousand shares)     80,681       49,204       28,021  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares adjusted for the effect of dilution     80,681       49,204       28,021  
Basic EPS - profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the parent   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.17 )
Diluted EPS - profit or loss attributable to equity holders of the parent   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.17 )

 

The EPS computation is not affected by convertible shareholder loans or equity-settled instruments as these were anti-dilutive in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 due to the reported losses in the periods.

 

8.9 Other current liabilities

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   As of December 31,  
Other current liabilities   2023     2022  
Prepayment of shareholder loans   $ 526     $     -  
Other liabilities     224       -  
Total other current liabilities   $ 750     $ -  

 

Other current liabilities mainly comprise prepayment of shareholder loans and other liabilities. Other liabilities consists of accrued interest and government fees.

 

On November 22, 2023, the Board of Directors offered each shareholder in the Company to participate in a shareholder loan, with an aim to raise funds to fund the Company’s operational short term liquidity needs. The shareholder loan was partly prepaid in 2023, although not signed before December 31, 2023. Refer to note 9.5 for more detail on the shareholder loan.

 

44


 

9 - Other disclosures

 

9.1 Remuneration to the Board of Directors

 

 

Remuneration to the Board of Directors

 

Remuneration to the Board of Directors is determined by the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

The Chairman of the Board of Directors has received compensation of $135 thousand, $130 thousand, and $127 thousand in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, through his consultancy firm Black Kite AS. The compensation is related to project development and administration of the Group.

 

The Board member Swapan Kataria has received compensation of $41 thousand and $56 thousand in 2023 and 2022, respectively, through his consultancy firm LNG-9 Pte Ltd.

 

Remuneration to the management team for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Salary     Bonus     Pension     Share-based payments     Other compensation     Total remuneration  
Jørn Skule Husemoen (CFO, Black Kite AS)   $ 155            -            -            -       308       463  
Gunnar Lund Knutsen* (President and Chief Operating Officer of Crown LNG AS, Gantt Consulting AS)     132       -       -       -       379       511  
Swapan Kataria (CEO, LNG-9 PTE LTD)     -       -       -       -       666       666  
Total   $ 287       -       -       -       1,353       1,640  

 

* Gunnar Knutsen resigned as CEO as of July 10, 2022. As of April 25, 2023, Swapan Kataria entered into the position as CEO of Crown LNG Holding AS and as of April 1, 2023, Gunnar Knutsen entered into the position as President of Crown LNG AS.

 

Salary includes the portion of MFH fees that become payable each month and are not contingent on an uncertain event. Other compensation mainly comprise the earned, unpaid fees related to MFH arrangements.

 

45


 

9.1 Remuneration to the Board of Directors (Continued)

 

 

Remuneration to the management team for the year ended December 31, 2022:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Salary     Bonus     Pension     Share-based payments     Other compensation     Total remuneration  
Jørn Skule Husemoen (CFO, Black Kite AS)   $ 162          -           -             -       325       487  
Gunnar Lund Knutsen (CEO, Gantt Consulting AS)     -       -       -       -       222       222  
Total   $ 162       -       -       -       547       709  

 

Remuneration to the management team for the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Salary     Bonus     Pension     Share-based payments     Other compensation     Total remuneration  
Jørn Skule Husemoen (CFO, Black Kite AS)   $ 182            -              -             -       363       545  
Gunnar Lund Knutsen (CEO, Gantt Consulting AS)     -               -       -       483       483  
Total   $ 182       -       -       -       846       1,027  

 

Remuneration to the Board of Directors for the year ended December 31:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   2023     2022     2021  
Jørn Skule Husemoen (Black Kite AS)   $ 135       130       104  
Swapan Kataria (LNG-9 PTE LTD)*     41       56       47  
Per Stian Grobstok**     -       51       47  
Ellen Hanetho***     -       5       -  
Aslak Aslaksen     52       5       -  
Total   $ 228       247       198  

 

* Swapan Kataria resigned from the board on January 2, 2023. Mr. Kataria rejoined the board of directors on April 25, 2023.
** Per Stian Grobstok resigned as a board member effective December 6, 2022.
*** Former Board member.

 

    As of December 31, 2023     As of December 31, 2022  
Shares held by Management and Board of Directors   Total number of shares     Ownership/ voting rights     Total number of shares     Ownership/ voting rights  
Jørn Skule Husemoen (Black Kite AS)     4,525,533       2.32 %     4,878,762       9.92 %
Swapan Kataria (Kataria Capital Corporation)     58,293,000       29.84 %     15,793,000       32.10 %
Per Stian Grobstok (Service Invest AS & Groble Invest AS)***     3,186,293       1.63 %     2,955,300       6.01 %
Gunnar Lund Knudsen (Gantt Consulting AS)     1,017,600       0.52 %     1,017,600       2.07 %
Aslak Aslaksen     457,414       0.23 %     374,200       0.77 %
Total     67,479,840       34.54 %     25,018,862       50.87 %

 

*** Former Board member

 

46


 

9.2 Related party transactions

 

 

Related parties are members of the Board of Directors and any shareholder owning more than 5% of outstanding shares, including an immediate family member of any such person. Furthermore, a related party transaction is defined as any transaction, arrangement, or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which (i) the Group or any of its subsidiaries is or will be a participant, and (ii) any related party has or will have a direct or indirect interest. This also includes any material amendment or modification to an existing related party transaction.

 

Notes 6.1 and 8.7 provide information about the Group structure, including details of the subsidiaries and shareholders. Significant agreements and remuneration paid to the Board of Directors for the current and prior periods are presented in note 9.1. Shares held by the Board of Directors are also summarized in note 9.1.

 

Joint Development Agreement

 

On October 1, 2018, Crown LNG AS entered into Joint Development Agreement with LNG-9 PTE LTD. Under this agreement, Crown LNG AS paid a general retainer of $15 thousand per month to LNG-9 Pte Ltd (“Advisor”) for services including the development of projects requiring LNG infrastructure, promoting the Company’s solutions and technology, assisting in marketing activities, providing access to LNG-9 offices and resources, etc. This contract includes an exclusivity restriction, a requirement for written approval to any change of control for either party or their subsidiaries, and an anti-assignment clause, among others. The duration of the agreement as contemplated was five years but the agreement was terminated in the first quarter of 2023. Refer to note 5.3 for further detail related to the arrangement.

 

Loan Agreement between LNG-9 PTE LTD. and Crown LNG Holdings AS

 

LNG-9 PTE LTD. entered into a Loan Agreement with Crown dated May 16, 2023, whereby LNG-9 PTE LTD loaned Crown NOK 2.12 million, equal of $200,000 at the foreign exchange rate set by the Norwegian Central Bank as of May 12, 2023. Pursuant to this agreement, the loan was to be repaid, at the earliest, three months after receipt by Crown, unless (a) a SPAC provided a commercially reasonable offer with respect to the purchase of shares in Crown and (b) Crown declined such offer, in which case Crown would have been obligated to repay the loan to LNG-9. The interest accrued at a rate of 0.5% per month and is unsecured. The agreement was amended on June 16, 2023, which adjusted the interest rate from 0.5% per month to 2% per month. The loan had an initial maturity on November 23, 2023 but was deferred until November 30, 2024 and increased by $160 thousand as per the agreement dated November 30, 2023.

 

Short-term loan agreement with shareholders

 

On September 27, 2023, Crown entered into short-term loan agreements with Black Kite AS, A A Holding AS, Service Invest AS and LNG-9 PTE LTD for the purpose of securing interim funding until a bridge loan was facilitated. The loans amounted to $62,675, with a interest rate of 2% per month. In addition, Crown paid a one-time 2% commitment fee payable together with the first payment of Interest. The loans were settled on October 30, 2023.

 

Service Agreement for Kakinada Terminal Project

 

On February 26, 2019, Crown LNG India Limited entered into a Service Agreement with LNG-9 Pte Ltd for consultancy services regarding (1) an Exclusivity Agreement for project development, delivery, and operation & maintenance for the LNG terminal for a minimum of thirty (30) years, (2) Investment Agreement for minority ownership in EAST, and (3) Lease Agreement, including operation & maintenance, between Asia First Holdings Limited (now known as Crown LNG India Limited) and KGLNG. The terms and conditions of the arrangement and the contracted fees are described in note 5.3.

 

47


 

9.2 Related party transactions (Continued)

 

 

Exclusivity Agreement and Transaction Agreement between Crown LNG India Limited and EAST

 

On June 3, 2020, Crown LNG entered into an Exclusivity Agreement with EAST, in which the shareholder, CEO and board member of Crown LNG Holding, Swapan Kataria, is the Director, in which Crown LNG was granted an exclusive right to develop, operate, own and lease to EAST the Re-gasification Terminal and the Sub-sea Pipeline outside the eastern shore of India, in the Kakinada region. KGLNG, a fully owned subsidiary of EAST, holds the license in India to establish and operate the offshore LNG terminal, valid for 30 years from June 8, 2016. Amendment to the Exclusivity Agreement were entered into on September 9, 2020 and March 31, 2021 wherein it was agreed that the LNG terminal shall be leased to KGLNG and certain other conditions were amended (together the “Exclusivity Agreement”).

 

The Exclusivity Agreement was renegotiated during July 2023 and the parties entered into a new agreement on August 3, 2023 for (i) an amendment to Exclusivity Agreement in order to extend the long stop date for achieving the FID of the Kakinada Terminal Project to December 31, 2025, (ii) future payment rights in an amount equal to all future distributions made by KGLNG to its shareholders until the aggregate amount of such distributions equals $3.266 billion, in which Crown issues 137,500,000 shares to EAST as consideration for the future payment rights initially recognized with a fair value of $2424 million (refer to notes 8.5 and 8.7), and (iii) an option for the sale and purchase of 99.81% of shares in KGLNG for $60 million to be settled by way of issuing a promissory note to EAST in the amount of the purchase price that can be exercised at any time from the completion of the Business Combination to August 3, 2024.

 

When negotiating the terms of this KGLNG Transaction Agreement, the parties contemplated the option to purchase the 15% ownership in EAST that was held by Crown. The option to purchase the 15% ownership in EAST is further discussed below under the GBS Infra Pte Ltd Investment Agreement. Both agreements relate to the same underlying value (KGLNG), include the same related counterparties, and the signing of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement affects the value of the option to purchase EAST. Based on this fact, Crown has, for accounting purposes, considered the two agreements as linked. Refer to note 8.5 for the accounting considerations and impact of these instruments.

 

Exclusivity Agreement between Crown and GBTRON

 

On August 27, 2020 the Group entered into an Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited, a company controlled by Swapan Kataria. The agreement provides the Group the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON an FSRU on a day-rate to be agreed in a lease agreement to be entered into. The terms of such lease to be determined such that the Group secures an equity internal rate of return (IRR) of 8-15% including the cost of the exclusivity fee paid. Under the agreement, the Group was obligated to pay an exclusivity fee of $4.0 million due at the end of December 31, 2022. However, as of December 31, 2022, the Group had not yet paid the fee, and in an amended agreement entered into on August 3, 2023, the payment was bifurcated and deferred to September 30, 2023 ($1.5 million) and December 31, 2023 ($2.5 million). The Group will in addition to the $4.0 million, pay an annual exclusivity fee of $1.0 million due at the end of December 31, 2023 and due each subsequent year until FID of the FSRU

 

On August 3, 2023, concurrent with the Business Combination Agreement, GBTRON Lands Limited and Crown LNG entered into a transaction agreement for (i) amendment to Exclusivity Agreement to, among other things, extend the long stop date of the FID for the Grangemouth Project to December 31, 2025, (ii) GBTRON to set up a new limited liability company (“NewCo”) and transfer certain rights, obligations and assets in connection with development of the Grangemouth Project to NewCo upon exercise of the GBTRON Option by Crown, and (iii) grant to Crown an option to purchase all the issued shares of NewCo to be exercised at any time from the completion of the Business Combination to August 3, 2024.

 

On October 30, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS and GBTRON entered into a second amendment agreement to the Exclusivity Agreement. The following amendments apply (i) the Exclusivity Agreement is valid until the expiry of the Lease Agreement for the FSRU unless terminated, (ii) Crown will pay the first installment of the initial Exclusivity fee of $1.5 million due at December 31, 2023, (iii) Crown will pay the final installment of the initial Exclusivity fee of $2.5 million due at December 31, 2023, (iv) Crown will thereafter and in addition pay an annual Exclusivity fee of $1.0 million due first time at December 31, 2023: and annually thereafter and until FID of the FSRU, and (v) Crown can extend payments until February 28, 2024, subject to payment of the monthly extension fee of $160 thousand. As of December 31, 2023, the amount payable to GBTRON is $5.0 million. The parties are currently in discussions to extend the payment terms, and monthly payments have been extended subsequent to February 28, 2024.

 

48


 

9.2 Related party transactions (Continued)

 

 

Engagement of Services between Crown and GBTRON Limited

 

On January 10, 2022, GBTRON Limited was engaged by Crown LNG Holdings AS to perform services as an advisor in assisting the Company in reaching out to off-takers in the United Kingdom and other countries and tying up the sale of LNG from the project. In consideration for the services, the Group agreed to pay the advisor a sign-on fee of GBP 60,000 ($73 thousand) and a monthly retainer fee of GBP 20,000 ($24 thousand) invoiced and payable in kind in shares of the Group by conversion of the fees. Such fees should be paid in kind, using a conversion rate of NOK 28 per share.

 

GBS Infra Pte Ltd Investment Agreement

 

On February 25, 2021, Crown entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with GBS Infra Pte Ltd. for shares in EAST, which provided Crown with an option to acquire 15% ownership in EAST. The consideration consisted of (1) a first payment of $500 thousand, which transferred the value of the option to purchase the 15% of total outstanding shares in EAST for a total fixed price of $15 million (2) a second payment at the closing of pre-FID funding for Crown LNG for $1.5 million to GBS Infra Pte Ltd for an option to purchase 2.5% of the total outstanding shares in EAST and (3) the remaining option may be purchased at successful FID with the completion of the final payment of $13 million. This agreement contains tag-along rights and drag-along rights and is governed by the laws of Singapore.

 

This agreement still exists following the signing of the KGLNG Transaction Agreement, however and as discussed under Exclusivity Agreement and Transaction Agreement between Crown LNG India Limited and EAST above, the agreement for the option to purchase the 15% ownership in EAST and the KGLNG Transaction Agreement are considered as linked or accounting purposes. Refer to note 8.5 for the accounting considerations and impact of these instruments.

 

Emerging Asia Capital Partners Company Limited (EACP)

 

On April 1, 2022, the Group entered into an agreement with Emerging Asia Capital Partners Company Limited (EACP) for financial advisory services in connection with the debt and equity funding for Crown and the project financing of the Kakinada LNG Receiving Terminal. The original agreement provided for a retainer fee equal to $20 thousand on the first business day of each month beginning April 1, 2022. The original agreement also included a financing success fee equal to 3% of the equity financing raised and 1% of project det financing raised to be paid on the date of transaction financial closings. The parties amended this agreement on July 19, 2023 to increase the retainer fee to $80 thousand per month, to be paid in Crown common shares in lieu of a cash payment. Additionally, Crown issued a promissory note for the outstanding cash payments due under the original agreement as of July 31, 2023. Further, under the amended agreement, Crown will pay to EACP a financing success fee of 3% on the equity financing raised in the source of introduction is EACP, Crown India AS, Crown, Mr. Swapan Kataria, LNG-9 Pte. Ltd. or KGLNG, and 1% if the source of introduction is from another party. As such, EACP stands to benefit from the transaction. Refer to note 9.4 for further detail.

 

Loan Settlement Agreement between Crown LNG Holding AS, Crown LNG AS and Crown LNG India AS

 

On September 9, 2022, Crown LNG AS and Crown India entered into a Loan Settlement Agreement. Under the agreement, Crown was to offer the lenders to assume their creditor positions under the convertible loans against settlement in shares in CIO Investments AS. Refer to note 8.2 for further detail.

 

Management for Hire (MFH) agreements

 

On July 5, 2020, the Group entered into a management for hire agreement with Black Kite AS for the hire of Jørn Husemoen to act as CFO on behalf of Crown LNG for a monthly fee of NOK 400 thousand ($41 thousand). 1/3 of the monthly fee is invoiced and payable each month whereas 2/3 is payable contingent on the Group achieving pre-FID funding. The agreement will be in force until August 31, 2024, but either party may terminate the agreement for any reason whatsoever during the contracted period.

 

On July 10, 2020, the Group entered into a management for hire agreement with Gantt Consulting AS for the hire of Gunnar Knutsen to act as CEO on behalf of Crown LNG for a fee of NOK 575 thousand ($58 thousand). 1/3 of the monthly fee is invoiced and payable each month whereas 2/3 is payable contingent on the Group achieving pre-FID funding. The agreement was renewed on April 1, 2023, and will remain in force 24 months and then automatically expire.

 

On January 1, 2022, Swapan Kataria entered into a contract for management consultancy services to Crown. The planned end date is December 31, 2028 with an option to extend the term by 12 consecutive months with three month’s prior notice to Mr. Kataria. As compensation, Mr. Kataria receives NOK 400 thousand ($41 thousand) per month, which is fixed until December 31, 2023 with yearly increases in fee in accordance with average salary adjustments. Refer to note 5.3 for further detail related to the Group’s MFH-arrangements.

 

49


 

9.2 Related party transactions (Continued)

 

 

The following tables provide the total amount of transactions that have been entered into with related parties (outside the Group) for the relevant financial periods:

 

Related party transactions during 2023 and balances as of December 31, 2023

  

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Executive management     Board Members     Other
Shareholders
    Total  
Non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties   $ -       4,758       -       4,758  
Current provisions to related parties     2,339       8,202       -       10,540  
Non-current loans to related parties     -       -       1,223       1,223  
Current loans to related parties     -       400       529       929  
Prepayment of shareholder loans     -       -       526       526  
Purchases from related parties     248       -       -       248  
Interest paid to related parties     -       28       -       28  
Shares issued to EAST as consideration for FPR*   $ -       203,785               203,785  

 

* Refer to section “Exclusivity Agreement and Transaction Agreement between Crown LNG India Limited and EAST” for more details and note 8.7.

 

The non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties as of December 31, 2023 were $4.8 million to LNG-9 PTE LTD controlled by board member Swapan Kataria, and the Company. The amount is contingent upon FID for the Kakinada Terminal Project. Refer to note 8.2 for more details on the cash-settled share-based payment liabilities.

 

Current provision to related parties of $10.5 million includes a fee of $5.0 million related to the Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited, a company controlled by board member Swapan Kataria, for the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON an FSRU on a day-rate to be agreed in a future lease agreement. The remaining $5.5 million relates to recognized, but not paid board remuneration and MFH arrangements with Black Kite, Gantt Consulting and Mr. Kataria and the fixed retainer fees related to the JDA with LNG-9 PTE LTD.

 

Non-current loans to related parties comprise debt to board of directors and convertible loans and other shareholder loans. Refer to note 8.2 and 8.3 for more detail on the Group’s interest bearing and non-interest bearing liabilities. Prepayment of shareholder loans relates to shareholder loans, partly prepaid in 2023, although not signed before December 31, 2023. Refer to note 8.2 for more details on the shareholder loans and note 8.9 for more detail on the Group’s other current liabilities.

 

Current loans to related parties comprise of a loan to LNG-9 and promissory notes to other shareholders. Refer to note 8.2 for more detail on the Group’s other current liabilities.

 

50


 

9.2 Related party transactions (Continued)

 

 

Related party transactions during 2022 and balances as of December 31, 2022

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Executive management     Board Members     Other
Shareholders
    Total  
Non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties   $ 1,012       7,351       -       8,363  
Current provisions to related parties     -       4,442       -       4,442  
Interest paid to related parties             35               35  
Non-current loans to related parties     -       256       1,433       1,689  
Purchases from related parties   $ 150       -       153       303  

 

The non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties of $8.4 million are primarily related to the agreements between LNG-9 PTE LTD controlled by board member Swapan Kataria, and the Company. As of December 31, 2022, accrued unbilled compensation to LNG-9 PTE LTD amounted to $5.99 million, of which $3.9 million is contingent upon FID for the India project and $2.0 million is contingent upon achieving pre-FID funding. The remaining $2.4 million is related to management for hire arrangements with Black Kite, Gantt Consulting AS and Mr. Kataria.

 

Current provision to related parties of $4.4 million mainly relates to recognized, but not paid board remuneration and a fee related to the Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited, a company controlled by board member Swapan Kataria, for the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON an FSRU on a day-rate to be agreed in a future lease agreement.

 

Outstanding loans to related parties comprise debt to board of directors and convertible loans and other shareholder loans. Refer to note 8.2 and 8.3 for more detail on the Group’s interest bearing and non-interest bearing liabilities.

 

Related party transactions during 2021 and balances as of December 31, 2021                        
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   Related party transactions     Members     Shareholders     Total  
Non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties   $ 790       6,272       -       7,062  
Current provisions to related parties     -       2,907       -       2,907  
Non-current loans to related parties     -       253       488       741  
Current loans to related parties     -       -       1,655       1,655  
Purchases from related parties   $ 266       -       200       466  

 

The non-current provisions for contingent fees to related parties of $7.1 million are primarily related to the agreements between LNG-9 PTE LTD controlled by board member Swapan Kataria, and the Company. As of December 31, 2021, accrued unbilled compensation to LNG-9 PTE LTD amounted to $5.7 million, of which $4.3 million is contingent upon FID for the India project and $1.5 million is contingent upon achieving pre-FID funding. The remaining $1.3 million is related to management for hire arrangements with Black Kite AS and Gantt Consulting AS.

 

Current provision to related parties relates to recognized not paid board remuneration of $612 thousand and a provision of $2.3 million related to the Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited.

 

Outstanding loans to related parties comprise debt to board of directors and convertible loans and other shareholder loans. Refer to note 8.2 and 8.3 for more detail on the Group’s interest bearing and non-interest bearing liabilities.

 

51


 

9.3 Commitments and contingencies

 

 

Other commitments

 

On February 26, 2019, the Group entered into an agreement with LNG-9 PTE under which the Group will pay $7.8 million when signing a 30-year lease agreement for the Kakinada Terminal Project, with KGLNG. KGLNG is the subsidiary of EAST which currently owns the license for the LNG terminal, but will need a partner to contribute the technical knowledge of constructing and operating the terminal. The fee to be invoiced in the future is payable at FID, 50% in cash and 50% in shares by conversion based on valuation used for FID funding with a discount of 20%.

 

Under the Exclusivity Agreement with GBTRON Lands Limited, the Group will pay an annual fee of $1.0 million due at the end of December 31, 2023 and until FID of the FSRU. The fee to be paid is consideration for providing the Group with the exclusive right to develop, own, operate and lease to GBTRON a floating storage regasification unit. Crown can extend payments until February 28, 2024, subject to payment of the monthly extension fee of $160 thousand. Refer to note 9.2 for further detail related to the agreement.

 

Assets pledged as security and guarantee liabilities

 

As of December 31, 2023 the Group has not provided any guarantees or pledged any assets as security to or on behalf of third parties.

 

9.4 Share-based payments

 

 

The expenses recognized for services received during the year under equity-settled share-based arrangements are presented in the table below.

 

    Years ended December 31,  
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)   2023     2022     2021  
Expenses arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions   $ 3,381     $ 2,750     $     -  
Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions     3,381       2,750       -  

 

Agreements with third-party suppliers

 

The expenses relate to consideration paid in-kind with shares in Crown LNG Holding AS for services provided by third party suppliers. The services are of a “stand ready” nature, in which the Group pays a monthly retainer fee in the form of share issuance. In 2023, the expenses were $2.4 million (2022: $2.8 million and 2021: nil).

 

Agreement with Opulenta AS

 

The expense related to management-for-hire services delivered by Opulenta AS in 2023 amounting to $ 98 thousand was agreed by the parties to be paid in warrants exercisable in Crown common shares. Opulenta AS is owned by Ellen Hanetho, former Board member of Crown that resigned as board member in 2022.

 

EACP amendment agreement

 

The expenses relate to financial advisory services provided by EACP. On July 19, 2023, Crown LNG Holding AS and Crown LNG India AS entered into an amendment agreement with EACP, pursuant to which the retainer fees to be paid for financial advisory services is amended to increase from $20 thousand to $80 thousand per month paid in Crown common shares. The transaction is accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment in accordance with IFRS 2.

 

Additionally, Crown issued a promissory note for the outstanding cash payments due under the original agreement and will issue a promissory note every month going forward for the services provided under the agreement. The promissory notes are not subject to any interest as per the amended agreement, however Crown has agreed to pay to EACP a Financing Success Fee equal to 3% on the Equity Financing raised if the source of introduction is either EACP, the Company, Crown, Mr. Kataria, LNG-9 PTE LTD or KGLNG, and 1% on the Equity Financing raised if the source is from another party. The Group does not recognize provision for the success fees as per December 2023, as it is related to future events (capital raise).

 

For cash-settled share-based payment arrangements, reference is made to note 5.3.

 

52


 

9.5 Events after the reporting period

 

 

Business Combination Agreement Amendments

 

On January 31, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was amended to (i) remove the closing condition in Section 9.2(f) of the Business Combination Agreement which would have required Catcha to have satisfied the minimum cash condition of at least US$20,000,000 and (ii) allow for listing of the PubCo ordinary shares on either the NYSE or Nasdaq.

 

On February 16, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) have not been satisfied or waived from February 17, 2024 to May 17, 2024 (and subsequently extended as described below). In addition, the Catcha agreed to waive its right under its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to withdraw up to $100,000 of the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account to pay dissolution expenses in the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account. 

 

On February 14, 2024, the Registration Statement on F-4, as amended was declared effective by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with the Business Combination.

 

On May 21, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from May 17, 2024 to June 17, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 17, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination. The non-solicitation provisions of the Business Combination Agreement were amended to expire on May 31, 2024, unless Crown has received notice that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination on Nasdaq, NYSE American or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown.

 

On June 11, 2024, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if the conditions to the Closing have not been satisfied or waived from June 17, 2024 to June 28, 2024. Also, the parties have agreed that the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated by Crown in the event that prior to June 28, 2024, the parties do not receive notice from Nasdaq, NYSE American, or another national securities exchange acceptable to Crown, that the post-business combination public company common stock shall be approved for listing upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

On June 12, 2024, Catcha held its Fourth Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders pursuant to which the shareholders of record as of January 16, 2024 approved Catcha’s previously proposed Business Combination with Crown.

 

On June 28, 2024, due to delays in meeting the final conditions of the closing of the Business Combination, the Business Combination Agreement was further amended to extend the date on which the Business Combination Agreement may be terminated to July 12, 2024.

 

On July 9, 2024 (the "Closing Date"), Crown consummated the previously announced business combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement dated as of August 3, 2023.

 

Management expects that the transaction will be accounted for as a capital reorganization in accordance with IFRS. Under this method of accounting, Catcha will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes, and Crown will be the accounting “acquirer.” Management expects Catcha to not meet the definition of a “business” pursuant to IFRS 3 Business Combinations, and thus, for accounting purposes, management expects the Business Combination to be accounted for as a capital reorganization. The net assets of Catcha would therefore be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

 

The estimated purchase price based upon the market price of Catcha common shares on July 9, 2024 is approximately $80 million, the substantial majority will be expensed. Acquired net assets will include cash, current assets and current liabilities, the exact amounts have not yet been determined due to the short period of time between the closing of the transaction and the approval of the consolidated financial statements for issuance. The net assets and liabilities resulting from agreements entered into by Pubco and Catcha are also expected to impact the financial statements.

 

Business Combination – Other Agreements

 

April 2024 Notes

 

On April 30, 2024, PubCo entered into subscription agreements with certain investors with respect to convertible promissory notes issuable upon closing of the Business Combination (the “April 2024 Notes”) with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.05 million for an aggregate purchase price of $1.0 million, reflecting a 5% original issue discount.

 

The April 2024 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10% and mature on the first anniversary of the issuance of the applicable note (the date of such issuance, the “Issuance Date”). Interest on the April 2024 Notes is payable in cash or in-kind through the issuance of additional April 2024 Notes, at the option of PubCo.

 

53


 

The April 2024 Notes are convertible into PubCo ordinary shares at the option of the holder. The number of ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the April 2024 Notes is determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion of the principal of a note to be converted, redeemed or otherwise with respect to which this determination is being made, (B) accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal of the applicable note, and (C) any other unpaid amounts, if any. “Conversion Price” means $10.00 initially at the date of issuance of the April 2024 Notes. The Conversion Price will reset to 95% of the lowest closing volume weighted average price observed over the 5 trading days immediately preceding the 180th calendar day following the Issuance Date, subject to a minimum price of $2.50 (the “Minimum Price”).

 

PubCo has the option to redeem the April 2024 Notes in full at any time after the Issuance Date and prior to maturity thereof upon 10 Trading Days’ (as defined in the April 2024 Notes) notice for cash at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

 

On June 13, 2024, PubCo and those certain investors to the April 2024 Notes entered into separate Note Subscription Agreement Updates to extend the date by which the subscription agreements with respect to the April 2024 Notes will terminate to June 28, 2024 if the closing of the sale of the notes has not occurred by such date.

 

On June 27, 2024, due to delays in meeting the final conditions of the closing, PubCo and those certain investors in the April 2024 Notes entered into an additional agreement to extend the date by which the subscription agreements will terminate to July 15, 2024 if the closing of the sale of the notes has not occurred by such date.

 

PIPE

 

On May 6, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into a subscription agreement (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”) for a private placement (the “PIPE”) with certain accredited investor (the “Purchaser”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 176,470 PubCo Ordinary Shares, at a price per share of $8.50, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $1.5 million.

 

On May 14, 2024, PubCo and Catcha entered into additional subscription agreements (together with the PIPE Subscription Agreement above, the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) for a private placements with certain accredited investor who are existing shareholders of Crown (the “Existing Shareholder Purchasers”). Pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Existing Shareholder Purchasers have agreed to purchase an aggregate of 26,393 PubCo Ordinary Shares (together with the PubCo Ordinary Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser, the “PIPE Shares”), at a price per share of $10.00, representing aggregate gross proceeds of $263.9 thousand.

 

Securities Lending Agreement

 

On May 22, 2024, PubCo entered into a securities lending agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with Millennia Capital Partners Limited (the “Lender”) pursuant to which the Lender agreed to loan PubCo up to $4.0 million (the “Loan”) at fifty-five (55%) Loan to Value of the current market value of 730,000 shares of Crown pledged to the Lender (“Transferred Collateral”). “Loan to Value” means the ratio of the Loan to the value of the Transferred Collateral, calculated by dividing the amount borrowed by the fair market value of the Transferred Collateral. The Loan matures thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Lending Agreement) and bears interest at an annual rate of 6.0% to be paid quarterly.

 

54


 

Securities Purchase Agreement

 

On June 4, 2024, PubCo entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”; together with the April 2024 Notes, the PIPE and the Securities Lending Agreement, the “Financing Agreements”) with Helena Special Opportunities LLC (the “Investor”), an affiliate of Helena Partners Inc., a Cayman-Islands based advisor and investor, providing for up to approximately $20.7 million in funding through a private placement for the issuance of convertible notes (the “SPA Notes”).

 

Shareholder Loan

 

Crown LNG Holding AS shareholders have agreed to provide Crown LNG Holding AS with a loan in an aggregate amount of $1.4 million on the terms set out in the loan agreement. The loan has been provided in two tranches, one USD-tranche subject to a separate loan agreement and the NOK tranche provided under this Agreement. The Loan agreement was made on the February 5, 2024 with payments made within 5 business days of the signing. The loans from the shareholders will be repayable within five business days of the Business Combination closing date. Further, each shareholder lender is entitled to its pro rata distribution of 2,000,000 shares in PubCo.

 

Convertible Equity

 

The Company entered into Subscription Agreements for the placement of convertible equity with certain current shareholders and investors in the Company in the amount of $150 thousand to support the Group's operational needs through the signing of the BCA. The placement of convertible equity in Crown LNG Holdings AS will be converted to shares in PubCo. After the closing of the BCA and the successful listing of the Group, PubCo will issue new shares at $10/share for the amount subscribed.

 

Capital Increase

 

EACP Agreement

 

On June 20, 2024, under the EACP Agreement, EACP converted its claim for the period from October 2023 through May 2024 towards the Group into shares at the strike value of NOK 21. The share capital was increased by NOK 3,196.73 by issuance of 319,673 shares, each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The total contribution is NOK 6,713,152 ($660 thousand), of which NOK 6,709,955 is share premium.

 

Market Representatives

 

On June 20, 2024, the Company completed a capital increase directed towards market representatives (third-party advisors), whereby the market representatives convert their respective claims towards the Group into shares for the period October 2023 through May 2024. The share capital was increased by NOK 5,456.63 by issuance of 545,663 shares each at a face value of NOK 0.01. The consideration per share is NOK 28.00 (rounded) which entails a share premium per share of NOK 27.99. The total contribution is NOK 15,278,704 ($1.5 million) of which NOK 15,273,247 is share premium.

 

55

 

EX-15.8 16 ea020814101ex15-8_crown.htm LETTER FROM MARCUM LLP

Exhibit 15.8

 

Letter from Marcum LLP

 

July 15, 2024

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

 

Commissioners:

 

We have read the statements made by Crown LNG Holdings Limited under Item 16F of Crown LNG Holdings Limited’s Form 20-F dated July 9, 2024.  We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 20-F; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of Crown LNG Holdings Limited contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Marcum LLP

 

Marcum LLP