12/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 05:01
|
PROSPECTUS |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) |
$200,000,000
Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp.
20,000,000 Units
Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. (the "Company") is a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities, which we refer to as a "target business." Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region although we intend to initially focus on target companies within the media and entertainment industry with a primary focus on the United States, and in particular on identifying attractive targets among content studios and film production, family entertainment, animation, music, gaming, e-sports, talent management, and talent-facing brands and businesses. We do not have any specific business combination under consideration and we have not (nor has anyone on our behalf), directly or indirectly, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, unless such time is extended as described herein, we will redeem 100% of the public shares for a pro rata portion of the trust account, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us for our franchise and income tax obligations (less up to $100,000 for our liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. Except for franchise taxes and income taxes, the proceeds placed in the trust account and the interest earned thereon shall not be used to pay for possible excise tax or any other fees or taxes that may be levied on the Company pursuant to any current, pending or future rules or laws, including without limitation any excise tax due under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA") on any redemptions or share repurchased by the Company.
This is an initial public offering of our securities. We are offering 20,000,000 units. Each unit that we are offering has a price of $10.00 and consists of one ordinary share, $0.0001 par value per share (the "ordinary shares"), and one right (each, a "right"). Each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, as described in more detail in this prospectus. No fractional shares will be issued upon conversion of the rights. As a result, you must hold at least ten rights to receive one ordinary share at the closing of the initial business combination. We have granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any.
The Company will deposit $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) or $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering, in a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. This amount will come from the net proceeds of this offering and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the private units.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem, regardless of whether they abstain, vote for, or vote against, our initial business combination, all or a portion of their ordinary shares that were sold as part of the units in this offering, upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account, less taxes payable (other than any excise or similar tax that may be due or payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public ordinary shares. There is no limitation on any such redemption.
Our sponsor, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC ("sponsor") and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the representative of the underwriters, have committed to purchase an aggregate of 570,000 private units (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $10.00 per unit, or $5,700,000 in the aggregate (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private unit consists of one ordinary share and one right. We refer to these units throughout this prospectus as the private units, the shares included in the private units as the private shares and the rights included in the private units as private rights. Of those 570,000 private units, our sponsor has agreed to purchase 370,000 units and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. has agreed to purchase 200,000 units. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering, subject to certain limited exceptions as described in this prospectus.
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Nine institutional investors (none of which are affiliated with any member of our management, our sponsor or any other investor), which we refer to as the "non-managing sponsor investors" throughout this prospectus, have expressed an interest to indirectly purchase, through the purchase of non-managing sponsor membership interests, an aggregate of 315,000 private units at a price of $10.00 per unit ($3,150,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering, which would result in them owning 85% of the private units, with our officers and directors owning the remainder. Subject to each non-managing sponsor investor purchasing, through the sponsor, the private units allocated to it in connection with the closing of this offering, the sponsor will issue membership interests at a nominal purchase price of $0.005 per share to the non-managing sponsor investors reflecting indirect interests in an aggregate of 2,520,000 founder shares held by the sponsor.
None of the non-managing sponsor investors have expressed to us an interest in purchasing any of the units in this offering and neither us nor the representative has had discussions with any non-managing sponsor investors regarding any purchases of units in this offering. Any potential purchase of the non-managing sponsor membership interests would not be contingent upon the participation in this offering or vice-versa. If the non-managing sponsor investors purchase units in the offering, and depending on how many units are purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors, the post-offering trading volume, volatility and liquidity of our securities may be reduced relative to what they would have been had the units been more widely sold to other public investors. We do not expect any potential purchases of units by non-managing sponsor investors to negatively impact our ability to meet Nasdaq listing eligibility requirements. In addition, the underwriter has full discretion to allocate the units to investors and may determine not to sell any units to the non-managing sponsor investors, and in no case would any of the non-managing sponsor investors be sold more than 9.9% of the units to be sold in this offering. The underwriter would receive the same upfront discounts and commissions and deferred underwriting commissions on units purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors, if any, as it will on the other units sold to the public in this offering. In addition, if the non-managing sponsor investors purchase units in the offering, the non-managing sponsor investors would not have any obligation to vote any of their public shares in favor of our initial business combination. Nevertheless, the non-managing sponsor investors would be incentivized to vote any of their public shares, if any, in favor of a business combination due to their indirect ownership through the sponsor of founder shares, and ordinary shares and private rights issued as part of the private units.
The interests of the members of the sponsor are denominated in two classes of membership interest units: (i) class A membership units representing interests in the founder shares and (ii) class B membership units that will represent an interest in the private units. All members of the sponsor, including the managing member of the sponsor, and any sponsor non-managing member that may join the sponsor will hold both classes of membership units representing their proportional interest in the founder shares and private units, respectively. Pursuant to an agreement of all members of the sponsor, the management and control of the sponsor is vested exclusively with the managing member, without any voting, veto, consent or other participation rights by any non-managing members regardless of their unit ownership. All matters submitted to a vote by the managing member will require the affirmative vote of the class A membership units held only by the managing member, without regard to any membership interests held by any non-managing members. As a result, sponsor non-managing members will have no right to control the sponsor, or participate in any decision regarding the disposal of any security held by the sponsor, or otherwise.
Members of our management team, the sponsor and any of its affiliates will directly or indirectly own founder shares, or other instruments, such as units, following this offering. Because our sponsor and any non-managing sponsor investors acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution upon the closing of this offering, which will allow them to realize enhanced economic returns from their investment as compared to other investors purchasing units in this offering. As a result, there may be actual or potential material conflicts of interest between members of our management team, our sponsor, any promotor or financial advisor and their respective affiliates on one hand, and purchasers in this offering on the other. Accordingly, our management team, the sponsor and any of its affiliates or promoters may have a conflict of interest with the purchasers of units in this offering in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Additionally, each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination
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opportunity to such entities, which also may impact their decisions in otherwise exercising their rights as public shareholders because of their indirect ownership of founder shares and private units. See "Summary - The Offering - Conflicts of interest", "Management - Conflicts of Interest", "Proposed Business - Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets" and "Management - Conflicts of Interest".
Our sponsor currently owns an aggregate of 5,750,000 ordinary shares (which were purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $32,000 (or approximately $0.0056 per share), up to 750,000 of which will be surrendered to us for no consideration after the closing of this offering depending on the extent to which the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised, of which 2,205,000 will be allocated to non-managing sponsor investors. The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to decline materially. See the section titled "Dilution" for more information. See Risk Factor - "Our initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $32,000, or approximately $0.0056 per founder share and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares" and "The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline".
The following table illustrates our net tangible book value per share at the specified redemption levels:
|
As of August 31, 2025 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Offering |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
||||||||||||||
|
NTBV |
NTBV |
Difference |
NTBV |
Difference |
NTBV |
Difference |
NTBV |
Difference |
||||||||||
|
Assuming Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option |
||||||||||||||||||
|
$ |
7.50 |
6.89 |
3.11 |
5.89 |
4.11 |
3.93 |
6.07 |
(1.60 |
) |
11.60 |
||||||||
|
Assuming No Exercise of Over-Allotment Option |
||||||||||||||||||
|
$ |
7.49 |
6.89 |
3.11 |
5.89 |
4.11 |
3.94 |
6.06 |
(1.50 |
) |
11.50 |
||||||||
See the Section entitled "Dilution" of this prospectus for additional information.
Upon consummation of this offering, we will repay up to $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses. In the event that following this offering we obtain working capital loans from our sponsor to finance transaction costs related to our initial business combination, up to $300,000 of such loans may be convertible into private units of the post-business combination entity at a price of $10.00 per private unit at the option of our sponsor which may have a dilutive effect on, and could reduce the value of the ordinary shares. Because our sponsor and any non-managing sponsor investors acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution upon the closing of this offering. We will also reimburse our sponsor, directors or officers, or our or any of their respective affiliates for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination. See "Prospectus Summary - Our Sponsor" for more information.
We have until the date that is 24 months from the closing of this offering (the "Deadline"). If we anticipate that we may be unable to consummate our initial business combination within such 24-month period, we may seek shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we seek shareholder approval for an extension, holders of public ordinary shares will be offered an opportunity to redeem their shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned thereon (less franchise and income taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public ordinary shares, subject to applicable law. Our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed within
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24 months from the closing of this offering, unless we further extend the amount of time we have to consummate an initial business combination by obtaining shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. While we do not currently intend to seek such shareholder approval, we may elect to do so in the future. There is no limit on the number of extensions that we may seek. If we do not or are unable to extend the time period to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor's investment in our founder shares and our private units will be worthless.
There is presently no public market for our units, ordinary shares, or rights.
Our units will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol "IRHOU" promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and rights comprising the units will begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of this prospectus unless Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the representative of the underwriters, informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, subject to our filing a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of this offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the ordinary shares and rights will be traded on NASDAQ under the symbols "IRHO" and "IRHOR," respectively.
We are an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and will therefore be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 29 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
No offer or invitation, whether directly or indirectly, is being or may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of our securities.
|
Per Unit |
Total |
|||||
|
Public offering price |
$ |
10.00 |
$ |
200,000,000 |
||
|
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
13,000,000 |
||
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ |
9.35 |
$ |
187,000,000 |
||
____________
(1) Includes $0.20 per unit (excluding any units sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units), or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (whether or not the underwriters' option to purchase additional units is exercised), payable to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. upon the closing of this offering. Also includes $0.45 per unit on units other than those sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units and $0.65 per unit on units sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units, or $9,000,000 in the aggregate or up to $10,950,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, payable to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. for deferred underwriting commissions to be deposited into a trust account located in the United States and released to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. for its own account only upon the completion of an initial business combination. See also "Underwriting" for a description of compensation and other items of value payable to the underwriters.
Upon consummation of the offering, $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option has been exercised in full or in part) will be deposited into a U.S.-based trust account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, acting as trustee. Except as described in this prospectus, these funds will not be released to us until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our redemption of our public shares.
The underwriters are offering the units on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters expect to deliver the units to purchasers on or about December 18, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
Book-Running Manager
Cantor
December 16, 2025
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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Prospectus Summary |
1 |
|
|
Summary Financial Data |
28 |
|
|
Risk Factors |
29 |
|
|
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements |
56 |
|
|
Use of Proceeds |
57 |
|
|
Dividend Policy |
60 |
|
|
Dilution |
61 |
|
|
Capitalization |
64 |
|
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
65 |
|
|
Proposed Business |
68 |
|
|
Management |
87 |
|
|
Principal Shareholders |
97 |
|
|
Certain Transactions |
101 |
|
|
Description of Securities |
104 |
|
|
Shares Eligible for Future Sale |
119 |
|
|
Taxation |
121 |
|
|
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations |
122 |
|
|
Underwriting |
132 |
|
|
Legal Matters |
142 |
|
|
Experts |
142 |
|
|
Where You Can Find Additional Information |
142 |
|
|
Index to Financial Statements |
F-1 |
i
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. As this is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider in making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information under "Risk Factors" and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before investing. References in this prospectus to "we," "us" or "our company" refer to Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. References in this prospectus to our "public shares" are to ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering (whether they are purchased in this offering or thereafter in the open market) and references to "public shareholders" refer to the holders of our public shares, including our officers and directors to the extent they purchase public shares, provided that their status as "public shareholders" shall only exist with respect to such public shares. References in this prospectus to our "management" or our "management team" refer to our officers and directors and references to our "initial shareholders" are to our sole shareholder prior to this offering (excluding Cantor), IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC. The term "equity-linked securities" refers to any debt or equity securities issued in a transaction, including but not limited to a private placement of equity or debt, that are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares. Unless we tell you otherwise, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option.
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or the context otherwise requires, references to:
• "Companies Act" are to the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands as the same may be amended from time to time;
• "ordinary resolution" are to a resolution of the company passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the company, or a resolution approved in writing by all of the holders of the issued shares entitled to vote on such matter (or such lower threshold as may be allowed under the Companies Act from time to time);
• "special resolution" are to a resolution of the company passed by at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority (or such higher approval threshold as specified in the company's amended and restated memorandum and articles of association) of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of the company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given, or a resolution approved in writing by all of the holders of the issued shares entitled to vote on such matter (or such lower threshold as may be allowed under the Companies Act from time to time);
Any forfeiture of shares, and all references to forfeiture of shares, described in this prospectus shall take effect as a surrender of shares for no consideration as a matter of Cayman Islands law. Any share dividend described in this prospectus will take effect as a share capitalization as a matter of Cayman Islands law (that is, an issuance of shares from share premium).
General
We are a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On November 26, 2024, we initially incorporated in Delaware as Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II. On July 25, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II migrated, by way of continuation, to the Cayman Islands and became a Cayman Islands exempted company, and as of the date of this prospectus will have elected to liquidate for U.S. federal income tax purposes via the making of an entity classification election effective as of July 25, 2025. On September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 30, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II was merged with and into Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp, which is the surviving entity and our continuing company.
We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
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Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team's established global relationships and operating experience particularly in media and entertainment. As such, we intend to search globally for target companies with a focus on the media & entertainment ("M&E") industry, with a focus on music, animation, artificial intelligence ("AI"), and more. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to this offering. None of our officers, directors, promoters or other affiliates has engaged in any substantive discussions on our behalf with representatives of other companies regarding the possibility of a potential business combination with us.
Overview
The members of our management team, including Jose A. Bengochea, our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chairman, and William Caragol, our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as well as our directors and strategic advisors have extensive experience with special purpose acquisition companies ("SPACs") and consummating business combinations, including in the M&E industry.
Prior SPAC Experience
Iron Horse Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: "IROH" and referred to herein as "Iron Horse I") Mr. Bengochea, our CEO, founded Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp., a SPAC formed for substantially similar purposes as our Company. Several members of our management team and advisors served as an officer or director of Iron Horse I, a special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Bengochea, our CEO served as the CEO of and a director of Iron Horse I, and Mr. Caragol, our CFO, and, alongside Mr. Bengochea, the co-Founder of Iron Horse II, served as both CFO and COO of Iron Horse I. Mr. Hertz, Mr. Turner and Mr. Morris, our financial advisors, all serve as the independent directors on the board of directors of Iron Horse I. Iron Horse I closed its IPO on December 29, 2023 after its registration statement was declared effective on December 27, 2023. In September 2024, Iron Horse I entered into a business combination agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement"), dated as of September 27, 2024, with Rosey Sea Holdings Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands ("Seller") and the owner of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Zhong Guo Liang Tou Group Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the "Target"). At a special meeting of stockholders held on June 25, 2025, the stockholders approved a resolution to allow the Company to extend the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination up to twelve (12) times, each such extension for an additional one (1) month period, until June 29, 2026 (the "Extension Special Meeting"). On June 20, 2025, at another special meeting, the stockholders approved the business combination ("Business Combination Special Meeting"). As of June 30, 2025, an aggregate of 6,477,975 shares of Common Stock were redeemed at a redemption price of $10.60 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $68.65 million. In connection with the stockholders' vote at the Business Combination Special Meeting, an additional 223,374 shares were tendered for redemption at a price of $10.80 per share for a total redemption of 97% of public shares. On September 30, 2025, the company announced the completion of the business combination with Rosey Sea Holdings Limited. The combined company now operates under the name CN Healthy Food Tech Group Corp. and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "UCFI" and "UCFIW" on October 1, 2025 for the ordinary shares and warrants respectively. The price of the shares on October 3, 2025 was $5.51.
Iron Horse I was founded on the premise that there were growing global opportunities in the M&E industry, as well as in the tangential consumer products industry with close ties to M&E that could unlock additional value. The attractiveness of the M&E space has only grown since the Iron Horse I IPO. For instance, global M&E industry revenues beat several projections by growing to $2.8 trillion in 2023 and are expected to reach $3.4 trillion by 2028 according to a 2024 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. A clear driver of change in this space has been the advent of AI and proliferation of AI-based technologies as the industries' pandemic-related woes have largely been erased, allowing for increase in entertainment bundling on entertainment streaming, gaming and virtual experiences, as well as a growing revival of real-life, event-driven, and in-person M&E experiences.
As a result, our management team believes a number of strong and growing M&E businesses are now in a position to benefit from capital and industry expertise to achieve their full growth potential and harness the opportunities unlocked by these recent changes.
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Our Sponsor
Our sponsor is a Cayman Islands limited liability company, which was formed to invest in us. Although our sponsor is permitted to undertake any activities permitted under the Limited Liability Company Act (As Revised) and other applicable law, our sponsor's business is focused on investing in our company. The managing member of the sponsor is Mr. Bengochea, our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bengochea controls the management of our sponsor, including the exercise of voting and investment discretion over the securities of our company held by our sponsor. Of the 570,000 private units, 370,000 private units will be purchased by the sponsor in the private placement, and the non-managing sponsor investors have been allocated through their membership interests in the sponsor 315,000 private units, or 85% of the private units, with our officers and directors owning the remainder.
See "Summary - The Offering - Private Units."
The following table sets forth the payments to be received by our sponsor and its affiliates from us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and the securities issued and to be issued by us to our sponsor or its affiliates:
|
Entity/Individual |
Amount of Compensation to be Received |
Consideration Paid or to be Paid |
||
|
IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC |
5,000,000(1) ordinary shares |
$32,000 |
||
|
370,000(2) private units to be purchased simultaneously with the closing of this offering(1)(2) |
$3,700,000 |
|||
|
Up to $300,000 |
Repayment of loans made to us to cover offering related and organizational expenses |
|||
|
Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination |
Expenses incurred in connection with identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination |
|||
|
Up to $1,500,000 in working capital loans, which loans may be converted into private units of the post-business combination entity at the price of $10.00 per private unit |
Working capital loans to finance transaction costs in connection with an initial business combination |
____________
(1) Assumes the full forfeiture of 750,000 founder shares and no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2) The non-managing members have expressed an interest to purchase sponsor non-managing membership interests reflecting interests in an aggregate of 315,000 of the 370,000 private units to be purchased by our sponsor (whether or not the over-allotment option is exercised), at a price of $10.00 per interest ($3,150,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering.
The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, or by such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve, the founder shares, private shares and private units will be worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account.
Because our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution upon the closing of this offering. Further, the ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the private units that would be issued in connection with the conversion of the working capital loans may result in material dilution to our public shareholders. See the sections titled "Risk Factors - Risks Relating to our Securities - The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline." and "Dilution."
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The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor and other initial shareholders are likely to make a substantial profit on their investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to decline materially. The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the public shareholders:
|
Shares Purchased |
Total Consideration |
Average Price |
||||||||||||
|
Number |
Percentage |
Amount |
Percentage |
|||||||||||
|
Initial Shareholders(1) |
5,000,000 |
18.10 |
% |
$ |
32,000 |
0.02 |
% |
$ |
0.0064 |
|||||
|
Private Placement(3) |
627,000 |
2.27 |
% |
$ |
5,700,000 |
2.77 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
Public Shareholders(2) |
22,000,000 |
79.63 |
% |
$ |
200,000,000 |
97.21 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
27,627,000 |
100.00 |
% |
$ |
205,732,000 |
100.00 |
% |
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(1) Assumes the full forfeiture of 750,000 founder shares and no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2) Includes the issuance of an additional 2,000,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the public shareholders.
(3) Includes the issuance of an additional 57,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the private placement.
Business Strategy
Our team has demonstrated an extensive global track record of successful acquisitions, value creation, and value enhancement, both in and outside the M&E industry, most recently demonstrated by members of our management team's previous SPAC Iron Horse I.
We believe our team's track record encompasses successful experiences through negotiating deals across numerous industries, working directly with operators and navigating companies through acquisition transactions (as both acquiror and acquiree), expanding product ranges for existing businesses, and providing strategic guidance to develop revenue and commercial opportunities.
Management Team
Our management team has a long history of value creation in the private and public markets, with a strong track record of creating value for shareholders including through acquiring and operating successful businesses within our target sectors. Several members of our team have unique networks and relationships and extensive experience sourcing and executing transactions that will enhance our ability to identify, negotiate and complete a successful business combination and accelerate the growth trajectory and profitability of the acquired business post-business combination.
We believe that we are well positioned to identify attractive acquisition opportunities, in particular because our team expects to utilize their access to industry contacts and proprietary deal flow to generate business combination opportunities. We believe that our team's networks in particular will broaden our access to potential transaction opportunities outside typical competitive deal sourcing intermediaries. Our team is well-connected in our target sectors and, as such, we have the opportunity to be potential targets' preferred partner for opportunities that they might think are appropriate for a SPAC acquisition, beginning with members of the Iron Horse I team returning with their experience in SPAC deals and in public markets.
Jose Antonio Bengochea is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bengochea has served as the Chief Executive Officer of and a director of Iron Horse I since November 2021, and has served as the managing member of Bengochea SPAC Sponsor I LLC, the sponsor of Iron Horse I since November 2021. Mr. Bengochea is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bengochea Capital LLC ("Bengochea Capital"), an investment firm founded in 2020 to pursue frontier asset classes and, through Mr. Bengochea's network of connections to various M&E industry executives and celebrities, to examine global opportunities in media and entertainment. Bengochea Capital has been a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the 2023 Grammy Awards; is currently a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards; has been present at the Cannes Film Festival, among other prestigious events; and has access to several animation, family, and IP potential deal-flow, with a growing number of business touchpoints across Asia. Prior to founding Bengochea Capital, Mr. Bengochea was a part of Sony's Global Business Development team in Los Angeles and, prior to that, served as a corporate attorney at the law firm of Jenner & Block in New York City. Mr. Bengochea holds an A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard
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University, where he designed his own degree, entitled Comparative Imperial History, and graduated with a secondary specialization in Archaeology. Mr. Bengochea also holds a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
William Caragol is our Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company. He is also the co-Founder of Iron Horse II alongside Mr. Bengochea. Mr. Caragol has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Iron Horse I since December 2023. Mr. Caragol has over thirty years of experience working with growth stage companies. In 2018, he founded and is the Managing Director of Quidem LLC, a corporate strategic and financial advisory firm. Since July 2021 he has been the Chief Financial Officer of Mainz Biomed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer. Since July 2021, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of Worksport Ltd. (NASDAQ: WKSP), a growth stage technology company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. Since July 2023, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of DeFi Development Corp. (NASDAQ: DFDV), a real-estate software firm and Solana-focused treasury company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. From 2021 to 2023, Mr. Caragol served on the Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Audit Committee of Greenbox POS (NASDAQ: GBOX) a financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions. Mr. Caragol earned a B.S. in business administration and accounting from Washington & Lee University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Management is joined by three new members to serve on the board of directors, including Tarron Hecox, Melissa Escobar, and Daniel Becker.
Tarron Hecox will serve as our lead independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Hecox has ample public markets and operational experience. Since 2019, he has held various commercial roles at AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a Fortune 500 company. Previously, Mr. Hecox worked with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, William Blair & Company, and Parnassus Investments, and he also formerly co-founded Spartan Capital L.L.C. in 2017, a private fund formed to pursue technology opportunities. Mr. Hecox is also well versed in SPACs and entertainment through the private fund he co-founded in 2014, Limitless Strategies, LLC, which focuses on creating value through public and private investments in media, entertainment, and AI. Mr. Hecox received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2016; an undergraduate degree with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied economics, finance, and accounting; a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and has held a CPA designation.
Ms. Melissa de Assis Escobar will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Ms. Escobar is an especially prominent global figure in entertainment, having been recognized as a pioneer in the development of Hispanic content and global talent. She co-founded Latin World Entertainment alongside actress Sofia Vergara and Luis Balaguer in 1994, and together leads Latin World Entertainment's growth into a multicultural entertainment leader specializing in series, documentaries, films, and brand marketing, with an audience of over 900 million global followers through its network. Under Ms. Escobar's leadership, Latin World Entertainment has won critical acclaim, having produced works such as Griselda for Netflix and Maradona: Sueño Bendito for Amazon Prime. In all, she has over 30 years of entertainment experience, having worked with top-tier companies such as Telemundo, Univision, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube/Google, Disney Buenavista, ABC and HBO Latino. Her team has marketed over 1,000 major Hollywood studio films to Hispanics, and promoted premier Spanish-language music tours for the largest live entertainment companies in the USA.
Daniel Becker will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Becker is an expert in AI machine learning, emerging technologies, and in the interplay between new technologies and consumerism, with particular strategic expertise and networks in AI infrastructure, data systems, and CPG businesses. Since December 2024, Mr. Becker has served as a Data Engineer at Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) where, from Miami, he leads an international team overseeing finance, data, and analytics across several of their investments, including the Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Burger King franchises worldwide. Prior to Restaurant Brands, from August 2023 through November 2024, Mr. Becker worked at Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN, "Lennar"), building AI-driven software pilots for its Emerging Technology group, in addition to evaluating new technologies and other investment opportunities. Mr. Becker has also worked with several Fortune 100 clients across several industries, including finance/MBS, ad-tech and media, retail, manufacturing, and more, during his prior tenures as a freelance
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consultant from July 2020 until July 2023. Mr. Becker served as consultant to Iron Horse I from 2024 to the present. Mr. Becker graduated from Princeton University in 2013 where he holds a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a focus on computer vision and autonomous systems.
In addition, all three independent directors from Iron Horse I are returning as Strategic Advisors for Iron Horse II.
Ken Hertz will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus, and has been serving since December 2023 as an Iron Horse I independent director and Chairman of Iron Horse I's Executive Committee. Mr. Hertz is currently a director for JUST GOODS and has served as a Senior Partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Hertz Lichtenstein Young & Polk LLP since 2007. Mr. Hertz and his partners specialize in representing talent, senior executives, entrepreneurs, agencies, and brands in entertainment, fashion, sports, media, and technology industries. Prior to forming the firm, Mr. Hertz had been a partner in Hansen Jacobson & Teller, since 1989. Before that, he was global head of music - business and legal affairs - for The Walt Disney Company. He is also a principal in memBrain - an entertainment marketing and strategy consulting firm that advises a number of C-Suite executives on their company's entertainment related marketing strategies. memBrain has worked with Intel, McDonald's, Hasbro, MillerCoors, Li & Fung and Logitech. Mr. Hertz has also been an active early-stage venture investor and advisor since 1997 and is a frequent speaker and commentator on the subjects of entertainment, marketing and convergence. He is often quoted in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal, has appeared on CNBC's monthly newsmagazine "Business Nation," has been an instructor at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, Marshall School of Business, Stanford Business School, and an adjunct professor of law at USC. He graduated UCLA with a J.D. in 1984 and U.C. Berkeley in 1981 with a B.S.
Brian Turner will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Turner has been serving since December 2023 as the Chairman of the board of directors of Iron Horse I and was formerly Chair of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space. He has served on numerous public and private companies boards of directors as well. Mr. Turner was the Chief Financial Officer of Coinstar Inc. from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to Coinstar, from 2001 to 2003, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Real Networks, Inc., a digital media and technology company. Prior to Real Networks, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Turner was employed by Bsquare Corp., a software company, where he initially served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary, before being promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Turner was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration of Radisys Corp., an embedded software company. Mr. Turner's experience also includes 13 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he held several positions including Director of Corporate Finance. Mr. Turner was formerly Chairman of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space, and is now Chair of the Audit Committee for MVIS. Mr. Turner has also been a director for several private companies. Mr. Turner holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington.
Scott Morris, will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Morris was an Iron Horse I independent director and has been Chairman of Avista (NYSE: AVA) since 2008. Mr. Morris started his career at AVA in 1981. From 2008 to 2019, he served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and served as Avista's President from 2008 to 2018. Prior to that, Mr. Morris was also the company's Chief Operating Officer. His experiences include management positions in multiple industries, including construction, customer service, and utilities. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University and received his master's degree from Gonzaga University in organizational leadership. He also attended the Stanford Business School Financial Management Program and the Kidder Peabody School of Financial Management. Mr. Morris serves on the boards of McKinstry Inc. and California Water Service. He is also on the Board of Trustees of Gonzaga University. He has served on a number of Spokane nonprofit and economic development Boards.
The past performance of our management team is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. Our management team may have had acquisitions or investments that were not successful. You should not rely on the historical record of our management's performance as indicative of our future performance.
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Commitment to Diversity
As a first generation American and native Spanish speaker, Mr. Bengochea is a passionate advocate of greater diversity in entertainment, media, and in the public markets, and is honored to serve once again as one of the only Hispanic executives on the public markets. Ms. Escobar is also proud to serve as one of the only Hispanic directors on the public markets, herself being originally from Colombia and having dedicated much of her career to promoting Hispanic talent, such as Sofia Vergara, and empowering Hispanic voices through entertainment.
Acquisition Strategy
Our team intends to leverage its skills, expertise and networks within the team's international hubs, particularly within the media, entertainment, and AI industries, to identify attractive target companies and provide guidance on the benefits of being a publicly-traded entity, including broader access to capital, increased liquidity for potential acquisitions, expanded branding opportunities in the marketplace, reputational and consumer confidence gains, and on the process of transitioning from a private company to a public registrant. We also expect to be able to source potential targets from our team's contacts within private equity, with celebrities, with M&E investors, and with various industry leaders. Upon completion of this offering, each of our team members will communicate our acquisition criteria to their respective networks and immediately begin screening opportunities.
Consistent with this strategy, we have identified parameters and criteria that we think are important and relevant in evaluating prospective target businesses. We intend to apply these parameters in evaluating prospects, although we may ultimately decide to execute our initial business combination with a company that may not match all of our initial parameters:
• Growth Prospects: We intend to seek companies with high growth trajectories that are driven by competitive advantages that can be accelerated or magnified through a partnership with us and access to the public markets.
• Earnings Potential: We intend to acquire one or more businesses that have multiple and diverse potential drivers of revenue and earnings growth and that have the potential to generate strong and stable free cash flow.
• M&E Focus: We intend to prioritize entities within our team's core spheres of expertise and from among our team's networks, such as family entertainment, animation, gaming, music, and businesses which we believe have benefited from the global pandemic and subsequent evolution of media and AI.
• Public Advantages: We intend to seek target companies that are public market ready and whose leadership teams have the vision to take advantage of and appreciate the benefits of becoming a publicly-traded entity.
• Evolving Circumstance: We intend to seek companies which are capitalizing on industry shifts and trends created by various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the migration toward new global consumption patterns, and the proliferation of AI-based technologies.
• Valuations: We consider ourselves to be rigorous, disciplined and valuation-centric investors, with a keen understanding of market value and successful track record. We intend to seek companies with a respectable market share and growth potential in the segments in which they operate.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines, as well as other considerations, factors and criteria deemed relevant by our management in effecting our initial business combination consistent with our business objectives. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
We are not prohibited from pursuing a business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event that we seek to complete a business combination with a business that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent
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investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. In the event that we seek such a business combination, the independent members of our Board of Directors would be required to approve the transaction.
Initial Business Combination
We are not presently engaged in, and we will not engage in, any operations for an indefinite period of time following this offering. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of this offering and the private placement of the private units, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (including pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, other securities issuances, or a combination of the foregoing. We may seek to complete our initial business combination with a company or business that may be financially unstable or in its early stages of development or growth, which would subject us to the numerous risks inherent in such companies and businesses.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that an ordinary resolution will be passed, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
The Company will deposit $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) or $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering, in a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. This amount will come from the net proceeds of this offering.
We will have up to 24 months from the closing of this offering to consummate an initial business combination (the "Deadline").
If we anticipate that we may be unable to consummate our initial business combination by the Deadline, we may seek shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we seek shareholder approval for an extension, holders of public ordinary shares will be offered an opportunity to redeem their shares at a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned thereon (less franchise and income taxes payable), divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public ordinary shares, subject to applicable law. Our initial shareholders will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed by the Deadline, unless we extend the amount of time we have to consummate an initial business combination by obtaining shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. While we do not currently intend to seek such shareholder approval, we may elect to do so in the future. There is no limit on the number of extensions that we may seek. If we do not or are unable to extend the time period to consummate our initial business combination, our sponsor's investment in our founder shares and our private units will be worthless.
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If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination within such time period, we will redeem 100% of our outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account and not previously released to us for the payment of franchise and income taxes, as described herein (and less up to $100,000 of interest which can be used for liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and as further described herein, and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. We expect the pro rata redemption price to be approximately $10.00 per ordinary share (regardless of whether or not the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option), without taking into account any interest earned on such funds or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein. However, we cannot assure you that we will in fact be able to distribute such amounts as a result of claims of creditors which may take priority over the claims of our public shareholders.
NASDAQ listing rules require that our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable). The fair market value of the target or targets will be determined by our Board of Directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). Although our Board of Directors will rely on generally accepted standards, our Board of Directors will have discretion to select the standards employed. In addition, the application of the standards generally involves a substantial degree of judgment. Accordingly, investors will be relying on the business judgment of the Board of Directors in evaluating the fair market value of the target or targets. The proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents used by us in connection with any proposed transaction will provide public shareholders with our analysis of the fair market value of the target business, as well as the basis for our determinations. If our board is not able independently to determine the fair market value of the target business or businesses, we will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on NASDAQ for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% fair market value test.
We currently anticipate structuring our initial business combination so that the post-transaction company in which our public shareholders own shares will own or acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination where such that the post-transaction company owns or acquires less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to our initial business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in our initial business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding capital stock, shares or other equity interest of a target business or issue a substantial number of new shares to third parties in connection with financing our initial business combination. In this case, we would acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our issued and outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test. If our initial business combination involves more than one target business, the 80% of net assets test will be based on the aggregate value of all of the target businesses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on Nasdaq for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% of net assets test.
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Potential Conflicts
Members of our management team will directly or indirectly own ordinary shares, or other instruments, such as units, shares or rights, linked to our ordinary shares, following this offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors have agreed to present to us all target business opportunities that have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account, subject to any fiduciary or contractual obligations they may have. As more fully discussed in "Management - Conflicts of Interest," if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of an initial business combination opportunity that might be attractive to any entity to which he has fiduciary or contractual obligations, he may be required to present such initial business combination opportunity to such entity prior to presenting such initial business combination opportunity to us. For more information on the relevant pre-existing fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our management team, see the section titled "Management - Conflicts of Interest."
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer, among other persons, shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us, and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a director or officer to any other entity. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets
We believe our management team's significant operating and transaction experience and relationships will provide us with a substantial number of potential initial business combination targets. Over the course of their careers, the members of our management team have developed a broad network of contacts and corporate relationships around the world in the M&E industry. We believe that the network of contacts and relationships of our management team will provide us important sources of investment opportunities.
Members of our management team and our independent directors will directly or indirectly own founder shares and/or private units following this offering and, accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, or by such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve, the founder shares and private units may be worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, which could create an incentive for our sponsor, executive officers and directors to complete a transaction even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the
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retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination. Therefore, the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. However, based on the fact that there may be substantial overlap between any such companies, businesses or investments that would be a suitable business combination for us, and because we may consummate a business combination with a target in a broad array of industries, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Private Placements
On September 29, 2025, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC (our Sponsor), contributed $32,000 for the issuance of 5,750,000 ordinary shares at approximately $0.0056 per share, of which up to 750,000 ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full or in part, so that our initial shareholders will continue to own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares after this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). In November 2024, we issued an aggregate of 12,321,429 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 to our initial shareholders (i.e., Bengochea SPAC Sponsors II LLC, our previous Sponsor). On May 8, 2025, the Sponsor forfeited 6,571,429 shares of common stock for no consideration. The remaining 5,750,000 shares of common stock, which were exchanged for ordinary shares at the time of the continuation, are now cancelled.
In addition, our sponsor, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC has agreed to purchase from us 370,000 private units at a price of $10.00 per private unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $3,700,000 in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering, whether or not the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering. If we do not complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, the proceeds from the sale of the public units will be included in the liquidating distribution to our public shareholders and the private units will be worthless.
Additional Financing
We have not selected any specific business combination target but intend to target businesses with enterprise values that are greater than what we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units. As a result, if the cash portion of the purchase price exceeds the amount available from the trust account, net of amounts needed to satisfy any redemption by public shareholders, we may be required to seek additional financing to complete such proposed initial business combination. Such additional financing may be in the form of PIPE transactions or convertible debt transactions. These financing transactions would be designed to ensure a return on investment to the investor in exchange for assisting the company in completing the business combination or providing sufficient liquidity to the post-combination company. The price of the ordinary shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time. Any such issuances of equity securities could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders. These financing transactions may be significantly dilutive to the post-combination company, and represent the type of financing risk that is not associated with traditional initial public offerings. We cannot assure you that financing will be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. None of our initial shareholders, directors or officers or their affiliates are obligated to provide any such financing to us. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to complete our initial business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. If we raise additional funds through equity or convertible debt issuances, our public shareholders may suffer significant dilution and these securities could have rights that rank senior to our public ordinary shares. If we raise additional funds through the incurrence of indebtedness, such indebtedness would have rights that are senior to our equity securities and could contain covenants that restrict our operations. Further, as described above, due to the anti-dilution rights of our founder shares, our public shareholders may incur material additional dilution.
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We may obtain financing prior to the closing of our initial business combination to fund our working capital needs and transaction costs in connection with our search for and completion of our initial business combination. There is no limitation on our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or equity-linked securities or through loans, advances or other indebtedness in connection with our initial business combination, including pursuant to any forward purchase agreements, backstop or similar agreements we may enter into following the consummation of this offering or otherwise. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
In addition, even if we do not need additional financing to complete our initial business combination, we may require such financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our directors, officers or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after our initial business combination.
Corporate Information
We were initially incorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 26, 2024. On July 25, 2025, we transferred, by way of continuation, to the Cayman Islands. On September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 30, 2025, we merged with Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp, which is the surviving entity, and we are now incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company. Our executive offices are located at 851 Broken Sound Parkway Nw Boca Raton, FL 33487 and our telephone number is (310) 290-5383. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Act. As an exempted company, we have applied for and received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 30 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividends or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies" including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an "emerging growth company" can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an "emerging growth company" can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
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We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. References herein to "emerging growth company" shall have the meaning associated with it in the JOBS Act.
Additionally, we are a "smaller reporting company" as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter.
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THE OFFERING
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Securities offered |
20,000,000 units (or 23,000,000 units if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one ordinary share and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination. |
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Listing of our securities and proposed |
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Trading commencement and separation of ordinary shares and rights |
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Once the ordinary shares and rights commence separate trading, holders will have the option to continue to hold units or separate their units into the component pieces. Holders will need to have their brokers contact our transfer agent in order to separate the units into ordinary shares and rights. |
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In no event will the ordinary shares and rights be traded separately until we have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds at the closing of this offering. We will file the Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the closing of this offering, which is anticipated to take place three business days from the date of this prospectus. If the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised following the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, a second or amended Current Report on Form 8-K will be filed to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. We will also include the Form 8-K, or amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if Cantor has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and rights prior to the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus. |
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Units: |
20,000,000 units (or 23,000,000 units if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one (1) ordinary share, and one (1) right which entitles the holder to one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the closing of the business combination. |
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Number of units outstanding before this offering |
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Number of units outstanding after this |
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Ordinary shares: |
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Number of shares outstanding before this offering |
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Number of shares to be outstanding after this offering and private placement |
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Rights: |
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Number of rights outstanding before this offering |
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Number of rights to be outstanding after this offering and private placement |
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Private units to be sold in private placement: |
570,000 private units, each private unit consisting of one ordinary share and one right to one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) |
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Terms of rights |
Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a public right will automatically receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination. In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination, each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert his, her or its rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of one share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination. We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law. As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of ten in order to receive shares for all of your rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period, and we redeem the public shares for the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds for their rights and the rights will expire worthless. |
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Securities purchased, or being purchased, by insiders in connection with this offering |
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(1) Represents 5,750,000 Founder Shares, which includes an aggregate of up to 750,000 Founder Shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full.
(2) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised, including the private placement ordinary shares included in the private units, and an aggregate of 750,000 Founder Shares have been forfeited.
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a number of Founders Shares necessary to continue to maintain the approximately 20% ownership interest in our ordinary shares after giving effect to the offering and exercise, if any, of the underwriters' over-allotment option (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and not including any shares included in the underlying any rights). The founders shares are identical to the ordinary shares included in the units being sold in this offering. However, our Sponsor, initial shareholders and officers and directors have agreed (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to redeem any shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination or sell any shares to us in a tender offer in connection with a proposed initial business combination, and (C) that the Founders Shares will not participate in any liquidating distributions from our trust account upon winding up if a business combination is not consummated. |
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Our sponsor, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. ("Cantor") will purchase simultaneously with the consummation of this offering an aggregate of 570,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit for a total purchase price of $5,700,000 pursuant to subscription agreements with us, whether or not the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option. In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, our initial shareholders, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the ordinary shares owned by them immediately before this offering in favor of such proposed business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction we could need as little as 7,215,001 of our 20,000,000 public shares (or approximately 36.1% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming all shares are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised, that the initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market). If only a minimum number of shares are voted to reach a quorum for the meeting, we do not need any public shares to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised, that the initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market). |
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Private units: |
Our sponsor and Cantor, have committed to purchase an aggregate of 570,000 private units (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $10.00 per unit, or $5,700,000 in the aggregate (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private unit consists of one ordinary share and one right. We refer to these units throughout this prospectus as the private units and the rights included in the private units as private rights. Of those 570,000 private units, our sponsor has agreed to purchase 370,000 units and Cantor has agreed to purchase 200,000 units. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering except that private units (including the securities comprising such units) (i) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, and (ii) will be entitled to registration rights. If we do not complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, the private units will expire worthless. |
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The private units to be purchased by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. or its affiliates are deemed underwriters' compensation by FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110. |
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Except in certain limited circumstances, pursuant to the letter agreement, no member of the sponsor (including the non-managing sponsor investors) may transfer all or any portion of its membership interests in the sponsor. For more information, see "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units". |
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Restrictions on transfer of Founders Shares and private units |
Our initial shareholders have agreed that the founder shares will not be transferred, assigned, or sold (subject to certain limited exceptions set forth below) for a period ending on the 180-day anniversary of the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. The limited exceptions include transfers, assignments or sales (i) to our, our initial shareholders' or Cantor or its officers, directors, consultants or their affiliates, (ii) to an entity's members upon its liquidation, (iii) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, (iv) by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death, (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (vi) to us for no value for cancellation in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination, or (vii) in connection with the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case (except for clause (vi) or with our prior consent) where the transferee agrees to be bound by these transfer restrictions. The purchasers of the private units also agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units, including the underlying ordinary shares (except in connection with the same limited exceptions that the founder shares may be transferred as described above), until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Assuming no liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction takes place, lock-ups on securities owned by our initial shareholders would expire as follows: |
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Founder Shares |
Private Units |
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6 months after the completion of our initial business combination |
30 days after the completion of our business combination |
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Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, which we refer to as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our 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 after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, the founder shares and the securities included in the private units will be released from the lock-up. |
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Except in certain limited circumstances, no member of the sponsor (including the non-managing sponsor investors) may sell, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage, charge, hypothecate, exchange or otherwise dispose, of directly or indirectly (a "Transfer") all or any portion of its membership interest in the sponsor. For more information, see "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units". |
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The non-managing sponsor investors are not granted any shareholder or other rights in addition to those afforded to our other public shareholders, and will only be issued membership interests in the sponsor, with no right to control the sponsor or vote or dispose of any securities held by the sponsor, including the founder shares and the private units held by the sponsor. Further, the non-managing sponsor investors are not required to (i) hold any units, ordinary shares or public rights they may purchase in this offering or thereafter for any amount of time, (ii) vote any ordinary shares they may own at the applicable time in favor of our initial business combination or (iii) refrain from exercising their right to redeem their public shares at the time of our initial business combination. The non-managing sponsor investors will have the same rights to the funds held in the trust account with respect to the ordinary shares underlying the units they may purchase in this offering as the rights afforded to our other public shareholders. |
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Offering proceeds to be held in trust |
We will deposit $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) or $10.00 per unit sold to the public in this offering, in a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee pursuant to an agreement to be signed on the date of this prospectus. This amount will come from the net proceeds of this offering. The proceeds to be placed in the trust account include $9,000,000 (or up to $10,950,000 if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) in deferred underwriting commissions. Except as set forth below, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of an initial business combination and our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. Therefore, except as set forth below, unless and until an initial business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be available for our use for any expenses related to this offering or expenses which we may incur related to the investigation and selection of a target business and the negotiation of an agreement to acquire a target business. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be released to us from the trust account any interest earned on the funds in the trust account the Company with withdraw from the interest earned on the funds in the trust account such sums that we need to pay our franchise and income tax obligations. With this exception, expenses incurred by us may be paid prior to a business combination only from the net proceeds of this offering not held in the trust account (initially estimated to be $1,000,000). Additionally, in order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering if the funds available to us are insufficient, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, on a non-interest bearing basis, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. |
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The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the holder's discretion, if there are excess proceeds, upon closing of this offering. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no other proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of this offering. As of August 31, 2025, we had borrowed $300,000 (of up to $300,000 available to us) under the promissory note with our sponsor. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and will be repaid with proceeds not held in the trust account. |
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Limited payments to insiders |
There will be no fees, reimbursements or other cash payments paid to our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates for any services they render prior to, or in order to effectuate the consummation of, an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than the following payments, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination: • repayment of up to an aggregate of up to $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses; • reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations; • repayment of non-interest-bearing loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination. Except as set forth above, the terms of such working capital loans by our sponsor or its affiliates, or our officers and directors, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. |
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Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our officers, directors, initial shareholders or our or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval. |
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Shareholder approval of, or tender offer in connection with, initial business combination |
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offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that an ordinary resolution will be passed, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination. |
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If we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, this may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. |
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Our initial shareholders and officers and directors and their affiliates have agreed (i) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (ii) not to redeem any shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (iii) not to sell any shares to us in a tender offer in connection with any proposed business combination. |
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None of our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or ordinary shares from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against a proposed business combination, our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to reduce the number of shares being submitted for redemption in connection with such vote. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of ordinary shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to prevent potential manipulation of a company's stock. |
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Redemption rights |
In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, each public shareholder will have the right, regardless of whether he is voting for or against such proposed business combination or does not vote at all, to demand that we redeem his shares into a pro rata share of the trust account. |
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Liquidation if no business combination |
We will have up to 24 months from the closing of this offering, the Deadline, to consummate an initial business combination. |
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If we are unable to complete an initial business combination by the Deadline, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us (net of taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest that may be released to us to pay liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. We cannot assure you that we will have funds sufficient to pay or provide for all creditors' claims. Although we are required to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. There is also no guarantee that the third parties would not challenge the enforceability of these waivers and bring claims against the trust account for monies owed them. IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, an entity affiliated with Jose A. Bengochea, our Chief Executive Officer, has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per share (or any increased amount as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein) by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. The agreement entered into by IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity given: IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC will have no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a target business or vendor or other entity who has executed an agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, or (2) as to any claims for indemnification by the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. MaloneBailey, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the offering, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. We have not independently verified whether IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations, we have not asked it to reserve for such obligations and we do not believe it has any significant liquid assets. Accordingly, we believe it is unlikely that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. |
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The holders of the founder shares will not participate in any redemption distribution from our trust account with respect to such shares. |
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If we are unable to consummate an initial business combination and we expend all of the net proceeds of this offering not deposited in the trust account, we expect that the initial per-share redemption price will be approximately $10.00 (which is equal to the anticipated aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account excluding interest earned on the funds held in the trust account without taking into account any interest earned on such funds or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein). The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our shareholders. In addition, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. Therefore, the actual per-share redemption price may be less than $10.00 without taking into account any interest earned on such funds or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein. |
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We will pay the costs of any liquidation from the net proceeds from this offering and the private placement held out of trust and the up to $100,000 and $175,000 for additional working capital of the interest income available to us from the trust account to pay for our liquidation expenses. |
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Conflicts of Interest: |
Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer, among other persons, shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us, and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a director or officer to any other entity. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. As described in "Proposed Business - Sourcing of Potential Business Combination Targets" and "Management - Conflicts of Interest," each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination |
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opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity. Therefore, the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Our sponsor paid a nominal aggregate purchase price of $32,000 for the founder shares, or approximately $0.0056 per share. Accordingly, our management team, which owns interests in our sponsor, may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares. |
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As described above, certain members of our management team will receive compensation upon consummation of our initial business combination, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such compensation will not be received unless we consummate such business combination. |
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In the event our sponsor or members of our management team provide loans to us to finance transaction costs and/or incur expenses on our behalf in connection with an initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such loans may not be repaid and/or such expenses may not be reimbursed unless we consummate such business combination. Similarly, if we agree to pay our sponsor or a member of our management team a finder's fee, advisory fee, consulting fee or success fee in order to effectuate the completion of our initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as any such fee may not be paid unless we consummate such business combination. |
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Our sponsor, officers or directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. Based on the existing relationships of our sponsor, directors and officers, their level of financial investment in us and the potential loss of such investment if no business combination is consummated, the fact that we may consummate a business combination with a target in a broad array of industries, we believe there may be substantial overlap between companies that would be a suitable business combination for us and companies that would make an attractive target for their other businesses. Therefore, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. |
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Our executive officers and our directors may have interests that differ from you in connection with the business combination, including the fact that they may lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account, and accordingly, may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination. |
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Additionally, the personal and financial interests of our directors and executive officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and pursuing an initial business combination or completing our initial business combination. The different timelines of competing business combinations could cause our directors and executive officers to prioritize a different business combination over finding a suitable acquisition target for our business combination. Consequently, our directors' and executive officers' discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders' best interest, which could negatively impact the timing for a business combination. |
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We are not prohibited from pursuing an initial business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, directors or members of our management team; accordingly, such affiliated person(s) may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such affiliated person(s) would have interests different from our public shareholders and would likely not receive any financial benefit unless we consummated such business combination. |
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In addition to the above, our officers and directors are not required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs, and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including selecting a business combination target and monitoring the related due diligence. See "Risk Factors - Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This conflict of interest could have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination." |
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Additionally, our sponsor and executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares, private shares and any public shares held by them in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination. Further, our sponsor and executive officers and directors have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any founder shares or private shares held by them if we are unable to complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, or by such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve. If we do not complete our initial business combination within such applicable time period, the private units will be worthless. With certain limited exceptions, the founder shares will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until six months after the completion of our initial business combination. With certain limited exceptions, the private units and the ordinary shares and rights underlying the private units, will not be transferable, assignable or salable by our sponsor or its permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Since our sponsor and executive officers and directors may directly or indirectly own ordinary shares and rights following this offering, our executive officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination because of their financial interest in completing an initial business combination by the Deadline, or by such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve. |
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Summary of Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The occurrence of one or more of the events or circumstances described in the section titled "Risk Factors," alone or in combination with other events or circumstances, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Such risks include, but are not limited to:
• We may not be able to complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, or the expiration of any Extension, in which case we would cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, and we would redeem our public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account, and we would liquidate. In such event, our rights would expire worthless.
• Your only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your right to redeem your shares to cash.
• Our initial shareholders will control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a shareholder vote.
• The ability of our public shareholders to exercise their redemption rights or sell their shares to us in a tender offer may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
• We may require shareholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights.
• We may issue additional shares of capital stock or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our shareholders and likely cause a change in control of our ownership.
• We may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business.
• We may not obtain a fairness opinion with respect to the target business that we seek to acquire and therefore you may be relying solely on the judgment of our Board of Directors in approving a proposed business combination.
• Resources could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
• Our search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by public health concerns, rising interest rates, and other current or future events, including the status of debt and equity markets.
• We may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may affect our initial business combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
• If we consummate a business combination with a target company with assets located outside of the United States, our results of operations and prospects could be subject to the economic, political, and legal policies, developments, and conditions in the country in which we operate. Further, exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause our ability to succeed in the international markets to be diminished.
• Our officers and directors presently have fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
• Our officers and directors may have interests in a potential business combination that are different than yours, which may create conflicts of interest.
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• The determination of the offering price of our units and the size of this offering is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities and size of an offering of an operating company in a particular industry.
• You will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares.
• There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
• NASDAQ may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors' ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
• If third parties bring claims against us, and if our directors decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, or if IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC does not have the funds to indemnify us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share without taking into account any interest earned on such funds or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein.
• Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and Cayman Islands law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares and could entrench management.
• Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum.
• Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares.
• We have no operating history, and, accordingly, you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
• If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
• We are an emerging growth company and smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
• Cyber incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
• This offering is not being conducted in compliance with Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors in Rule 419 blank check offerings. For additional information concerning how Rule 419 blank check offerings differ from this offering, please see "Proposed Business - Comparison of This Offering to Those of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419."
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SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
The following table summarizes the relevant financial data for our business and should be read with our financial statements, which are included in this prospectus. We have not had any significant operations to date, and accordingly only balance sheet data is presented.
|
August 31, 2025 |
|||||||
|
Actual |
As |
||||||
|
Working capital (deficiency) |
$ |
(346,511 |
) |
640,297 |
|||
|
Total assets |
$ |
520,006 |
200,856,397 |
||||
|
Total liabilities |
$ |
663,609 |
9,216,100 |
||||
|
Value of ordinary shares subject to possible redemption |
$ |
- |
200,000,000 |
||||
|
Shareholders' deficit |
$ |
(143,603 |
) |
(8,359,703 |
) |
||
____________
(1) The "as adjusted" information gives effect to the sale of the units we are offering and the sale of the private units including the application of the related gross proceeds and the payment of the estimated remaining costs from such sale and the repayment of the accrued and other liabilities required to be repaid, and assumes no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option in the aggregate of 750,000 Founders Shares that have been forfeited as a result thereof.
The "as adjusted" total assets amount includes $200,000,000 to be held in the trust account, plus $1,000,000 in cash to be held outside the trust account (after giving effect to estimated offering costs) plus $143,603 of actual shareholder's deficit as of August 31, 2025.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks described below, which we believe represent the material risks related to the offering, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our units. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks described below.
Risks Relating to Searching for and Consummating a Business Combination
If we are unable to consummate a business combination, our public shareholders may be forced to wait more than 24 months before receiving distributions from the trust account, and our rights will expire worthless.
We have 24 months from the closing of this offering, the Deadline, in which to complete a business combination. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to such date unless we consummate a business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to redeem or sell their shares to us. Only after the expiration of this full time period will public security holders be entitled to distributions from the trust account if we are unable to complete a business combination. Accordingly, investors' funds may be unavailable to them until after such date and to liquidate your investment, public security holders may be forced to sell their public shares potentially at a loss.
Additionally, if we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required timeframe and therefore are forced to dissolve and liquidate, the holders of our rights to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination will not receive any of such funds with respect to their rights, nor will they receive any distribution from our assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such rights, and their rights will expire worthless.
The requirement that we complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination.
We have 24 months from the closing of this offering to complete an initial business combination. Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business combination will be aware of this requirement. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete a business combination with any other target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the time limit referenced above.
Our public shareholders may not be afforded an opportunity to vote on our proposed business combination.
We may choose not to hold a shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination unless the business combination would require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements. In such case, the decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or will allow shareholders to sell their shares to us in a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require us to seek shareholder approval.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so,
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vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that an ordinary resolution will be passed, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
Even if we seek shareholder approval, (i) the holders of our founder shares will participate in the vote on such approval and, accordingly, we may complete our initial business combination even if holders of a majority of our ordinary shares do not approve of the business combination we complete and (ii) if the non-managing sponsor investors purchase the full amount of the units for which they have expressed an interest and vote in favor of an initial business combination, we may not need any public shares sold to other investors in this offering to be voted in favor of the initial business combination. See "Proposed Business - Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve Our Initial Business Combination" for additional information.
If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, our initial shareholders will control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a shareholder vote.
Upon consummation of our offering, our initial shareholders will own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units in this offering or any units or ordinary shares from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could determine in the future to make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions, to the extent permitted by law, in order to reduce the number of shareholders seeking to tender their shares to us. In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, our initial shareholders, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the ordinary shares owned by them immediately before this offering in favor of such proposed business combination. As a result, if we sought shareholder approval of a proposed transaction we could need as little as 7,215,001 of our 20,000,000 public shares (or approximately 36.1% of our public shares) to be voted in favor of the transaction in order to have such transaction approved (assuming all shares are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised, that the initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering or units or shares in the after-market). Assuming that only the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, vote their ordinary shares at a general meeting of the company, we would not need any of the public shares sold in this offering in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that an ordinary resolution will be passed, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination.
Our Board of Directors is and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of shareholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business combination. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your voting rights under corporate law for up to 24 months.
If we determine to change our acquisition criteria or guidelines, many of the disclosures contained in this prospectus would not be applicable and you would be investing in our company without any basis on which to evaluate the potential target business we may acquire.
We could seek to deviate from the acquisition criteria or guidelines disclosed in this prospectus although we have no current intention to do so. Accordingly, investors may be making an investment in our company without any basis on which to evaluate the potential target business we may acquire. Regardless of whether or not we deviate from the acquisition criteria or guidelines in connection with any proposed business combination, investors will always be given the opportunity to redeem their shares or sell them to us in a tender offer in connection with any proposed business combination as described in this prospectus.
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We may not be able to complete an initial business combination because such initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirements, including foreign investment regulations and review by government entities such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS"), or may be ultimately prohibited.
Our initial business combination may be subject to regulatory review and approval requirements by governmental entities, or ultimately prohibited. For example, CFIUS has authority to review direct or indirect foreign investments in U.S. companies. Among other things, CFIUS is empowered to require certain foreign investors to make mandatory filings, to charge filing fees related to such filings, and to self-initiate national security reviews of foreign direct and indirect investments in U.S. companies if the parties to that investment choose not to file voluntarily. In the case that CFIUS determines an investment to be a threat to national security, CFIUS has the power to unwind or place restrictions on the investment. Whether CFIUS has jurisdiction to review an acquisition or investment transaction depends on - among other factors - the nature and structure of the transaction, including the level of beneficial ownership interest and the nature of any information or governance rights involved. While our sponsor is a limited liability company formed in Cayman Islands and is not controlled by, nor does it have substantial ties with, a non-U.S. person, investments that result in "control" of a U.S. business by a foreign person are always subject to CFIUS jurisdiction. CFIUS's expanded jurisdiction under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 and implementing regulations that became effective on February 13, 2020 further includes investments that do not result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person but afford certain foreign investors certain information or governance rights in a U.S. business that has a nexus to "critical technologies," "critical infrastructure" and/or "sensitive personal data."
If a particular proposed initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within CFIUS's jurisdiction, we may determine that we are required to make a mandatory filing or that we will submit to CFIUS review on a voluntary basis, or to proceed with the transaction without submitting to CFIUS and risk CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the transaction. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our proposed initial business combination, impose conditions with respect to such initial business combination or request the President of the United States to order us to divest all or a portion of the U.S. target business of our initial business combination that we acquired without first obtaining CFIUS approval, which may limit the attractiveness of, delay or prevent us from pursuing certain target companies that we believe would otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business combination may be limited and we may be adversely affected in terms of competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not have any foreign ownership issues. In addition, certain federally licensed businesses may be subject to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership.
The process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because we have only a limited time to complete our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may require us to liquidate. If we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period required under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, including as a result of extended regulatory review of a potential initial business combination, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes and less $175,000 for additional working capital and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and net of taxes payable, other than any excise or similar tax that may be due or payable), 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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, our shareholders will miss the opportunity to benefit from an investment in a target company and the appreciation in value of such investment. Additionally, our public rights will be worthless.
Since we have not yet selected a particular industry or target business with which to complete a business combination, we are unable to currently ascertain the merits or risks of the industry or business in which we may ultimately operate.
While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any business, industry or geographic location, we intend to search globally for target companies within the M&E industry with a primary focus on the United States, and in particular on identifying attractive targets among content studios and film production, family entertainment,
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animation, music, gaming, e-sports, talent management, talent-facing brands and businesses. Accordingly, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular industry in which we may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we complete a business combination with a financially unstable company or an entity in its development stage, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations of those entities. If we complete a business combination with an entity in an industry characterized by a high level of risk, we may be affected by the currently unascertainable risks of that industry. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in a particular industry or target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in this offering than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a target business.
The ability of our shareholders to exercise their redemption rights or sell their shares to us in a tender offer may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
At the time we enter into an agreement for our initial business combination, we will not know how many shareholders may exercise their redemption rights, and therefore will need to structure the transaction based on our expectations as to the number of shares that will be submitted for redemption. If our business combination requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many shareholders may exercise redemption rights or seek to sell their shares to us in a tender offer, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such redemption, or we may need to arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination. In the event that the acquisition involves the issuance of our stock as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our stock to make up for a shortfall in funds. Raising additional funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
In connection with any vote to approve a business combination, we will offer each public shareholder the option to vote in favor of a proposed business combination and still seek redemption of his, her or its shares.
In connection with any vote to approve a business combination, we will offer each public shareholder (but not our initial shareholders, officers and directors) the right to have his, her or its ordinary shares redeemed for cash (subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this prospectus) regardless of whether such shareholder votes for or against such proposed business combination or does not vote at all. The ability to seek redemption while voting in favor of our proposed business combination may make it more likely that we will consummate a business combination.
We do not have a specified maximum redemption threshold. The absence of such a redemption threshold may make it easier for us to consummate a business combination even where a substantial number of public shareholders seek to redeem their shares to cash in connection with the vote on the business combination.
We have no specified percentage threshold for redemption in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. As a result, we may be able to consummate a business combination even though a substantial number of our public shareholders do not agree with the transaction and have redeemed their shares.
In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require shareholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.
In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, each public shareholder will have the right, regardless of whether he is voting for or against such proposed business combination or does not vote at all, to demand that we redeem his shares into a pro rata share of the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. We may require public shareholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to either (i) tender their certificates to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company's DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holders' option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the tender offer documents or proxy materials sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a shareholder's broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least
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two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate. While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, we cannot assure you of this fact. Accordingly, if it takes longer than we anticipate for shareholders to deliver their shares, shareholders who wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for exercising their redemption rights and thus may be unable to redeem their shares.
If, in connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed business combination, we require public shareholders who wish to redeem their shares to comply with specific requirements for redemption, such redeeming shareholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the event that the proposed business combination is not approved.
If we require public shareholders who wish to redeem their shares to comply with specific requirements for redemption and such proposed business combination is not consummated, we will promptly return such certificates to the tendering public shareholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to redeem their shares in such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them. The market price for our ordinary shares may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you wish to, even while other shareholders that did not seek redemption may be able to sell their securities.
Because of our structure, other companies may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.
We expect to encounter intense competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds, leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe that there are numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore, seeking shareholder approval or engaging in a tender offer in connection with any proposed business combination may delay the consummation of such a transaction. Additionally, the rights to one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination included within our units, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses. Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination.
Because we must furnish our shareholders with target business financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards, we will not be able to complete a business combination with prospective target businesses unless their financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards.
The federal proxy rules require that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial reporting standards, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. We will include the same financial statement disclosure in connection with any tender offer documents we use, whether or not they are required under the tender offer rules. Additionally, to the extent we furnish our shareholders with financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, such financial statements will likely need to be audited in accordance with U.S. GAAP at the time of the consummation of the business combination. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire.
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We may issue shares or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our shareholders and likely cause a change in control of our ownership.
As of the date of this prospectus, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will authorize the issuance of up to 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share. Although we have no commitment as of the date of this offering, we may issue a substantial number of additional ordinary shares or preference shares, or a combination of ordinary shares and preference shares, to complete a business combination. The issuance of additional ordinary shares will not reduce the per-share redemption amount in the trust account. The issuance of additional ordinary shares or preference shares:
• may significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in this offering;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preference shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;
• may cause a change in control if a substantial number of ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares.
Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and
• our inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing while the debt security is outstanding.
If we incur indebtedness, our lenders will not have a claim on the cash in the trust account and such indebtedness will not decrease the per-share redemption amount in the trust account.
The provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that relate to our pre-business combination activity (and corresponding provisions of the agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account) may be amended with the approval of holders of not less than two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company, which is a lower amendment threshold than that of some other special purpose acquisition companies. It may be easier for us, therefore, to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to facilitate the completion of an initial business combination that some of our shareholders may not support.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that any of its provisions related to pre-business combination activity (including the requirement to deposit proceeds of this offering and the private placement of units into the trust account and not release such amounts except in specified circumstances, and to provide redemption rights to public shareholders as described herein may be amended if approved by special resolution, under Cayman Islands law. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Corresponding provisions of the trust agreement governing the release of funds from our trust account may be amended if approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our ordinary shares which are represented in person or by proxy and are voted at a general meeting of the company. Our sponsor, who will beneficially own 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming it does not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the ordinary shares comprising part of the private placement units and the ordinary shares underlying the private placement rights issued to the sponsor), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or trust agreement and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. As a result, we may
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be able to amend the provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which govern our pre-business combination behavior more easily than some other special purpose acquisition companies, and this may increase our ability to complete a business combination with which you do not agree.
Our sponsor, officers, directors and director nominees have agreed, pursuant to a written agreement with us, that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete our initial business combination within the completion window or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating to shareholders' rights or pre-initial business combination activity, in each case unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. Our shareholders are not parties to, or third-party beneficiaries of, these agreements and, as a result, will not have the ability to pursue remedies against our sponsor, officers, directors or director nominees for any breach of these agreements. As a result, in the event of a breach, our shareholders would need to pursue a shareholder derivative action, subject to applicable law.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business, which could compel us to restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
Although we believe that the net proceeds of this offering will be sufficient to allow us to consummate a business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business, we cannot ascertain the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of this offering prove to be insufficient, either because of the size of the business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, or the obligation to redeem into cash a significant number of shares from shareholders, we will be required to seek additional financing. Such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate a particular business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, if we consummate a business combination, we may require additional financing to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our officers, directors or shareholders is required to provide any financing to us in connection with or after a business combination.
If the net proceeds of this offering not being held in trust are insufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, we may be unable to complete a business combination.
Of the net proceeds of this offering, only approximately $1,000,000 will be available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We will also have access to certain interest earned on the funds held in the trust account for working capital purposes. We believe that, upon closing of this offering, such funds will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, however, we cannot assure you that our estimate is accurate. Accordingly, if we use all of the funds held outside of the trust account and all interest available to us, we may not have sufficient funds available with which to structure, negotiate or close an initial business combination. In such event, we would need to borrow funds from our initial shareholders, officers or directors or their affiliates to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Our initial shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount that they deem reasonable in their sole discretion for our working capital needs. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest.
We may not obtain a fairness opinion with respect to the target business that we seek to acquire and therefore you may be relying solely on the judgment of our Board of Directors in approving a proposed business combination.
We will only be required to obtain a fairness opinion with respect to the target business that we seek to acquire if it is an entity that is affiliated with any of our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates. In all other instances, we will have no obligation to obtain an opinion. Accordingly, investors may be relying solely on the judgment of our Board of Directors in approving a proposed business combination.
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Resources could be spent researching acquisitions that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
It is anticipated that the investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents, and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If a decision is made not to complete a specific business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, even if an agreement is reached relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate the business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
We may only be able to complete one business combination with the proceeds of this offering, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number of products or services.
It is likely we will consummate a business combination with a single target business, although we have the ability to simultaneously acquire several target businesses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
• solely dependent upon the performance of a single business, or
• dependent upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination.
Alternatively, if we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively impact our profitability and results of operations.
Our search for an initial business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate an initial business combination, may be materially adversely affected by significant current and future events, such as public health concerns, the war in Ukraine, rising interest rates, ongoing market turbulence and the status of debt and equity markets.
Public health concerns (pandemics or epidemics), terrorist attacks, natural disasters, acts of war (including the war in Ukraine), civil unrest, economic downturns or recessions and rising interest rates could adversely affect the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we consummate an initial business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete an initial business combination if concerns relating to any such situations restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the target company's personnel or service providers, or otherwise cause the target company to be unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely manner. The extent to which current or future events impact our search for an initial business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning, for example, the severity of any public health concerns, the status of efforts to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by any current or future events continue for an extensive period of time, our ability to consummate an initial business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate an initial business combination, may be materially adversely affected.
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In addition, our ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by rising interest rates, ongoing market turbulence or other current or future events, including as a result of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.
As the number of special purpose acquisition companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets. This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate an initial business combination.
Since the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially. Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination. This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination, and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
Changes in the market for directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums charged for such policies have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be no assurance that these trends will not continue.
The increased cost and decreased availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However, any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination's ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In addition, even after we were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors and officers, the post-business combination entity will likely need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims ("run-off insurance"). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
Furthermore, because our management team utilizes strategic advisors in addition to conventional directors and officers, we may choose to seek liability insurance coverage which extends to our strategic advisors, which could further increase our insurance costs.
Changes in international trade policies, tariffs and treaties affecting imports and exports may have a material adverse effect on our search for an initial business combination target or the performance or business prospects of a post-business combination company.
There have recently been significant changes to international trade policies and tariffs affecting imports and exports. Any significant increases in tariffs on goods or materials or other changes in trade policy could negatively affect our search for a target and/or our ability to complete our initial business combination.
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Recently, the U.S. has implemented a range of new tariffs and increases to existing tariffs. In response to the tariffs announced by the U.S., other countries have imposed, are considering imposing, and may in the future impose new or increased tariffs on certain exports from the United States. There is currently significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other countries with respect to trade policies, taxes, government regulations and tariffs. and we cannot predict whether, and to what extent, current tariffs will continue or trade policies will change in the future.
Tariffs, or the threat of tariffs or increased tariffs, could have a significant negative impact on certain businesses (either due to domestic businesses' reliance on imported goods or dependence on access to foreign markets, or foreign businesses' reliance on sales into the United States). In addition, retaliatory tariffs could have a significant negative impact on foreign businesses that rely on imports from the United States, and domestic businesses that rely on exporting goods internationally. These tariffs and threats of tariffs and other potential trade policy changes could negatively affect the attractiveness of certain initial business combination targets, or lead to material adverse effects on a post-business combination company. Among other things, historical financial performance of companies affected by trade policies and/or tariffs may not provide useful guidance as to the future performance of such companies, because future financial performance of those companies may be materially affected by new U.S. tariffs or foreign retaliatory tariffs, or other changes to trade policies. The business prospects of a particular target for a business combination could change even after we enter into a business combination agreement, as a result of tariffs or the threat of tariffs that may have a material impact on that target's business, and it may be costly or impractical for us to terminate that business combination agreement. These factors could affect our selection of a business combination target.
We may not be able to adequately address the risks presented by these tariffs or other potential trade policy changes. As a result, we may deem it costly, impractical or risky to complete an initial business combination with a particular target or with a target in a particular industry or from a particular country. Consequently, the pool of potential target companies may be reduced, which could impair our ability to identify a suitable target and to complete an initial business combination. If we complete an initial business combination with such a target, the post-business combination company's operations and financial results could be adversely affected as a result of tariffs or changes to trade policies, which may cause the market value of the securities of the post-business combination company to decline.
If we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, United States taxpayers who own our Ordinary Shares may have adverse United States federal income tax consequences.
A non-U.S. corporation such as ourselves will be classified as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") for any taxable year if, for such year, either (i) at least 75% of our gross income for the year is passive income or (ii) the average percentage of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable year which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business), and gains from the disposition of passive assets. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the equity by value.
If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. taxpayer who holds our ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements. Depending on the amount of cash we raise in this offering, together with any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our 2025 taxable year or for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income, in which case we would be deemed a PFIC, which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. taxpayers who are shareholders. We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers if we were or are determined to be a PFIC, see "Material United States Income Tax Considerations - U.S. Holders - Passive Foreign Investment Company."
We may not be able to complete our initial business combination within the completion window, in which case we would redeem our public shares.
We may not be able to find a suitable target business and complete our initial business combination within the completion window after the closing of this offering. Our ability to complete our initial business combination may be negatively impacted by general market conditions, volatility in the capital and debt markets and the other risks described herein. If we have not completed our initial business combination within such time period, we will (i) cease
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all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such case, our public shareholders may only receive $10.00 per share, or possibly less, and our rights will expire without value to the holder. In certain circumstances, our public shareholders may receive less than $10.00 per share on the redemption of their shares. See "- If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption amount received by shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share" and other risk factors described in this "Risk Factors" section.
We may decide not to extend the term we have to consummate our initial business combination, in which case we would redeem our public shares, and the rights may be worthless.
We have until the date that is 24 months from the closing of this offering or until such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve, to consummate our initial business combination. If we anticipate that we may be unable to consummate our initial business combination within such period, we may seek shareholder approval to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. However, we may decide not to seek to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination. If we do not seek to extend the date by which we must consummate our initial business combination, and we are unable to consummate our initial business combination within the applicable time period, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case, to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In such event, the rights may be worthless.
Risks Relating to the Post-Business Combination Company
Our ability to successfully effect a business combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us following a business combination. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct.
Our ability to successfully effect a business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. We believe that our success depends on the continued service of our key personnel, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our key personnel will remain with us for the immediate or foreseeable future. In addition, none of our officers is required to commit any specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, our officers will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not have employment agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our officers. The unexpected loss of the services of our key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.
The role of our key personnel after a business combination, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel may serve in senior management or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that most, if not all, of the management of the target business will remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a
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public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
Our officers and directors may not have significant experience or knowledge regarding the jurisdiction or industry of the target business we may seek to acquire.
We may consummate a business combination with a target business in any geographic location or industry we choose. We cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have enough experience or have sufficient knowledge relating to the jurisdiction of the target or its industry to make an informed decision regarding a business combination.
If we do not conduct an adequate due diligence investigation of a target business, we may be required to subsequently take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring, and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
We must conduct a due diligence investigation of the target businesses we intend to acquire. Intensive due diligence is time consuming and expensive due to the operations, accounting, finance and legal professionals who must be involved in the due diligence process. Even if we conduct extensive due diligence on a target business, this diligence may not reveal all material issues that may affect a particular target business, and factors outside the control of the target business and outside of our control may later arise. If our diligence fails to identify issues specific to a target business, industry or the environment in which the target business operates, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our ordinary shares. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our obtaining post-combination debt financing.
If we effect our initial business combination with a company located outside of the United States, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may adversely affect us.
If we pursue a target company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we may face additional burdens in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing such initial business combination, and if we effect such initial business combination, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we pursue a target a company with operations or opportunities outside of the United States for our initial business combination, we would be subject to risks associated with cross-border business combinations, including in connection with investigating, agreeing to and completing our initial business combination, conducting due diligence in a foreign jurisdiction, having such transaction approved by any local governments, regulators or agencies and changes in the purchase price based on fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
If we effect our initial business combination with such a company, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated with companies operating in an international setting, including any of the following:
• costs and difficulties inherent in managing cross-border business operations;
• rules and regulations regarding currency redemption;
• complex corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
• laws governing the manner in which future business combinations may be effected;
• exchange listing and/or delisting requirements;
• tariffs and trade barriers;
• regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
• local or regional economic policies and market conditions;
• unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;
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• challenges in managing and staffing international operations;
• longer payment cycles;
• tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
• currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
• rates of inflation;
• challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
• cultural and language differences;
• employment regulations;
• underdeveloped or unpredictable legal or regulatory systems;
• corruption;
• protection of intellectual property;
• social unrest, crime, strikes, riots and civil disturbances;
• regime changes and political upheaval;
• terrorist attacks, natural disasters, widespread health emergencies and wars; and
• deterioration of political relations with the United States.
We may not be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, we may be unable to complete such initial business combination, or, if we complete such initial business combination, our operations might suffer, either of which may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may reincorporate in or transfer by way of continuation to another jurisdiction in connection with our initial business combination, and the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may relocate the home jurisdiction of our business from the Cayman Islands to another jurisdiction. If we determine to do this, the laws of such jurisdiction may govern some or all of our future material agreements. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital.
If we acquire a company operating in the M&E industry, our future operations may be subject to risks associated with this sector.
While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any business, industry or geographic location, we intend to search globally for target companies within the M&E industry with a primary focus on the United States, and in particular on identifying attractive targets among content studios and film production, family entertainment, animation, music, gaming, e-sports, talent management, talent-facing brands and businesses. Because we have not yet identified or approached any specific target business, we cannot provide specific risks of any business combination. However, risks inherent in investments in these industries may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• adverse changes in international, national, regional or local economic, demographic and market conditions;
• competition from other companies and businesses in the M&E industry;
• the ability to develop successful new products or improve existing ones;
• changes in technology rendering our products or services obsolete following a business combination;
• the disruption or failure of our networks, systems, platform or technology that frustrate or thwart our users' ability to access our products and services, which may cause our users, advertisers, and partners to cut back on or stop using our products and services altogether, which could harm our business;
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• fluctuations in interest rates, which could adversely affect the ability of buyers and tenants of properties to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all;
• mobile malware, viruses, ransomware, hacking and phishing attacks, spamming, and improper or illegal use of our products, which could harm our business and reputation;
• litigation and other legal proceedings;
• challenges associated with perfecting, registering, maintaining, licensing, enforcing and defending our intellectual property rights;
• complexities in properly measuring the value of intangible or cutting-edge business assets, such as a celebrity's brand recognition or the advertising potential of a streaming service;
• risks arising out of the interconnectedness of the value and goodwill of our business and brands with the marketability, popularity, and public perception of certain celebrities;
• the ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees;
• environmental risks;
• civil unrest, labor strikes, acts of God, including earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters and acts of war or terrorism, which may result in uninsured losses;
• increasing governmental regulation; and
• failure to comply with governmental regulations resulting in the imposition of penalties, fines or restrictions on operations and remedial liabilities.
Any of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in identifying prospective target businesses will not be limited to companies in the M&E industry. Accordingly, if we acquire a target business in another industry, these risks we will be subject to risks attendant with the specific industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, which may or may not be different than those risks listed above.
An investment in this offering involves uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences.
An investment in this offering involves uncertain U.S. federal income tax consequences. For instance, the Internal Revenue Service could challenge the allocation an investor makes with respect to allocating the purchase price of a unit between the ordinary share and the right to receive 1/10 of an ordinary share upon the consummation of our initial business combination, included in each unit. Finally, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to our ordinary shares suspend the running of a U.S. Holder's (as defined in "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations") holding period for purposes of determining whether any gain or loss realized by such holder on the sale or exchange of ordinary shares is long-term capital gain or loss and for determining whether any dividend we pay would be considered a "qualified dividend" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult a tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities, including the applicability and effect of state, local, or foreign tax laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws. See the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" for a summary of the material United States Federal income tax consequences of an investment in our securities.
There may be tax consequences to our business combinations that may adversely affect us.
While we expect to undertake any merger or acquisition so as to minimize taxes both to the acquired business and/or asset and us, such business combination might not meet the statutory requirements of a tax-free reorganization, or the parties might not obtain the intended tax-free treatment upon a transfer of shares or assets. A reorganization that does not qualify as tax-free could result in the imposition of substantial taxes on holders of our securities.
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Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements and numerous complex tax laws. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination, and results of operations.
On January 24, 2024, the SEC adopted a series of new rules relating to SPACs (the "SPAC Rules") requiring, among other items, (i) additional disclosures relating to SPAC business combination transactions; (ii) additional disclosures relating to dilution and to conflicts of interest involving sponsors and their affiliates in both SPAC initial public offerings and de-SPAC transactions; (iii) the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; and (iv) both the SPAC and the target company's status as co-registrants on de-SPAC registration statements.
In addition, the SEC's adopting release provided guidance describing circumstances in which a SPAC could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act, including its duration, asset composition, business purpose, and the activities of the SPAC and its management team in furtherance of such goals.
Compliance with the SPAC Rules and related guidance may increase the costs of and the time needed to negotiate and complete an initial business combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial business combination.
If our initial business combination involves a company organized under the laws of the United States (or any subdivision thereof), a U.S. federal excise tax could be imposed on us in connection with any redemptions of our ordinary shares after or in connection with such initial business combination.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposes a 1% U.S. federal excise tax on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of shares by publicly traded U.S. corporations after December 31, 2022 (the "Excise Tax"), subject to certain exceptions. If applicable, the amount of the Excise Tax is generally 1% of the aggregate fair market value of any shares repurchased by the corporation during a taxable year, net of the aggregate fair market value of certain new share issuances by the repurchasing corporation during the same taxable year.
As a Cayman Islands exempted company, the Excise Tax is currently not expected to apply to redemptions of our ordinary shares (absent any regulations or other additional guidance that may be issued in the future).
However, in connection with an initial business combination involving a company organized under the laws of a state of the United States, it is possible that we domesticate and continue as a corporation organized under the laws of a state of the United States prior to certain redemptions. Because we expect that, following such a domestication, our securities would continue to trade on a national securities exchange, in such a case, we could be subject to the Excise Tax with respect to any subsequent redemptions (including redemptions in connection with an extension vote or the initial business combination). Whether and to what extent we would be subject to the Excise Tax in connection with a business combination, extension vote or otherwise would depend on a number of factors, including (i) the fair market value of the redemptions and repurchases in connection with the business combination, extension vote or otherwise, (ii) the structure of a business combination, (iii) the nature and amount of any "PIPE" or other equity issuances in connection with a business combination (or otherwise issued not in connection with a business combination but issued within the same taxable year of a business combination) and (iv) the content of final regulations and other additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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Risks Relating to Potential Conflicts of Interest of our Management, Directors, and Others
Our officers and directors will allocate their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs. This could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination.
Our officers and directors will not commit their full time to our affairs. We presently expect each of our officers and directors to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs. Our independent directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our officers' and directors' other business affairs require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs in excess of their current commitment levels, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs which may have a negative impact on our ability to complete our initial business combination. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. Based on the existing relationships of our sponsor, directors and officers, their level of financial investment in us and the potential loss of such investment if no business combination is consummated, the fact that we may consummate a business combination with a target in a broad array of industries, we believe there may be substantial overlap between companies that would be a suitable business combination for us and companies that would make an attractive target for their other businesses., Therefore we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination.
Our initial shareholders have waived their right to redeem the founders shares, private shares or any other shares purchased in this offering or thereafter, or to receive distributions from the trust account with respect to the Founders Shares upon our liquidation if we are unable to consummate a business combination. Accordingly, the shares and rights acquired prior to this offering, as well as the private units purchased by our officers or directors in the aftermarket, will be worthless if we do not consummate a business combination. The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination and in determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders' best interest.
Our officers and directors or their affiliates have pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations and may in the future become affiliated with other entities engaged in business activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Following the completion of this offering and until we consummate our initial business combination, we intend to engage in the business of identifying and combining with one or more businesses. Our sponsor, its managing member, and our officers and directors are, or may in the future become, affiliated with entities (such as operating companies or investment vehicles) that are engaged in a similar business. We do not have employment contracts with our officers and directors that will limit their ability to work at other businesses. In addition, our sponsor, officers and directors may participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company prior to completion of our initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other blank check company with which they may become involved. Our sponsor, officers and directors have complete discretion, subject to applicable fiduciary duties, as to which blank check company they choose to pursue a business combination and the order in which they pursue business combinations for any of their existing or future blank check companies. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors may pursue business combinations for blank check companies that it has sponsored in any order, which could result in its more recent blank check companies completing business combinations prior to its blank check companies that were launched earlier. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then
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current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer, shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a director or officer to any other entity. We do not believe, however, that the fiduciary duties or contractual obligations of our officers or directors will materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. For a more detailed description of our officers' and directors' business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest that you should be aware of, see the sections titled "Management - Directors and Executive Officers" and "Management - Conflicts of Interest."
Our officers, directors, security holders and their respective affiliates may have competitive pecuniary interests that conflict with our interests.
We have not adopted a policy that expressly prohibits our directors, officers, security holders or affiliates from having a direct or indirect pecuniary or financial interest in any investment to be acquired or disposed of by us or in any transaction to which we are a party or have an interest. In fact, we may enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with our sponsor, our directors or officers, although we do not intend to do so. Nor do we have a policy that expressly prohibits any such persons from engaging for their own account in business activities of the types conducted by us. Accordingly, such persons or entities may have a conflict between their interests and ours. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. However, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting a target business and completing a business combination. Consequently, our directors' and officers' discretion in identifying and selecting a suitable target business may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in our shareholders' best interest. If this were the case, it would be a breach of their fiduciary duties to us as a matter of Cayman Islands law and we or our shareholders might have a claim against such individuals for infringing on our shareholders' rights. See the section titled "Description of Securities - Certain Differences in Corporate Law - Shareholder Suits" for further information on the ability to bring such claims. However, we might not ultimately be successful in any claim we may make against them for such reason.
Our management may negotiate employment or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for them to receive compensation following a business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our management will be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements or other appropriate arrangements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law.
Risks Relating to our Securities
If third parties bring claims against us, the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share redemption price received by shareholders may be less than $10.00.
Our placing of funds in trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage and prospective target businesses we negotiate with execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account
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for the benefit of our public shareholders, they may not execute such agreements. Furthermore, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they may seek recourse against the trust account. A court may not uphold the validity of such agreements. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public shareholders. If we are unable to complete a business combination and distribute the proceeds held in trust to our public shareholders, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, an entity affiliated with Mr. Bengochea, has agreed (subject to certain exceptions described elsewhere in this prospectus) that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per share by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. However, we have not independently verified whether IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations, we have not asked it to reserve for such obligations and we do not believe it has any significant liquid assets. Accordingly, we believe it is unlikely that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. As a result, the per-share distribution from the trust account may be less than $10.00, plus interest, due to such claims.
Additionally, if we are forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we may not be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00.
Our shareholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we will continue in existence only until 24 months from the closing of this offering, unless extended by our shareholders. If we have not completed a business combination by such date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us but net of franchise and income taxes payable (less up to $100,000 for our liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our shareholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of the date of distribution. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that third parties will not seek to recover from our shareholders amounts owed to them by us.
If we are forced to enter into an insolvent liquidation, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed as an unlawful payment if it was proved that immediately following the date on which the distribution was made, we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. As a result, a liquidator could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, our directors may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to us or our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, thereby exposing themselves and our company to claims, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons. We and our directors and officers who knowingly and willfully authorized or permitted any distribution to be paid out of our share premium account while we were unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business would be guilty of an offence and may be liable to a fine of approximately $18,000 and to imprisonment for five years in the Cayman Islands.
We may not hold an annual general meeting until after the consummation of our initial business combination, which could delay the opportunity for our public shareholders to discuss company affairs with management.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until no later than one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or extraordinary general meetings to appoint directors. Until we hold an annual general meeting, public shareholders may not be afforded the opportunity to discuss company affairs with management. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
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Members of our management team, board of directors and advisors have significant experience as founders, board members, officers, executives or employees of other companies. Certain of those persons have been, are currently, or may become, involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings, including related to those companies or otherwise. This may have an adverse effect on us, which may impede our ability to consummate an initial business combination.
During the course of their careers, members of our management team, board of directors and advisors have had significant experience as founders, board members, officers, executives or employees of other companies. Certain of those persons have been, are currently or may in the future become involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings, including relating to the business affairs of such companies, transactions entered into by such companies, or otherwise. Any such litigation, investigations or other proceedings may divert the attention and resources of our management team, board of directors and advisors away from identifying and selecting a target business or businesses for our initial business combination and may negatively affect our reputation, which may impede our ability to complete an initial business combination. See "Legal Proceedings" for more information regarding legal proceedings and other matters related to our management team, board of directors and advisors.
Members of our management team, board of directors and advisors and affiliated companies may have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes or governmental investigations unrelated to our business.
Members of our management team, board of directors and advisors have been (and intend to be) involved in a wide variety of businesses. Such involvement has, and may lead to, media coverage and public awareness. As a result, members of our management team, board of directors and advisors and affiliated companies may have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes or governmental investigations unrelated to our business. Any such claims or investigations may be detrimental to our reputation and could negatively affect our ability to identify and complete an initial business combination and may have an adverse effect on the price of our securities.
Our directors may decide not to enforce IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC's indemnification obligations, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders.
In the event that the proceeds in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share and IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against it to enforce such indemnification obligations. It is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public shareholders may be reduced below $10.00 per share.
The securities in which we may invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
The proceeds held in the trust account will be held as cash or cash items (including in demand deposit accounts) or invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less, money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, although we may determine to hold such proceeds as cash rather than investing them for any reason including but not limited to interest rate fluctuations or the need for such funds in connection with an impending closing of an initial business combination. While short-term U.S. government treasury obligations currently yield a positive rate of interest, they have briefly yielded negative interest rates in recent years. Central banks in Europe and Japan pursued interest rates below zero in recent years, and the Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has not ruled out the possibility that it may in the future adopt similar policies in the United States. In the event that we are unable to complete our initial business combination or make certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our public shareholders are entitled to receive their pro-rata share of the proceeds held in the trust account, plus any interest income not previously released to us, net of taxes payable. Negative interest rates could reduce the value of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public shareholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
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There is currently no market for our securities and a market for our securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of our securities.
There is currently no market for our securities. Shareholders therefore have no access to information about prior market history on which to base their investment decision. Following this offering, the price of our securities may vary significantly due to one or more potential business combinations and general market or economic conditions. Furthermore, an active trading market for our securities may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your securities unless a market can be established and sustained.
We may issue our shares to investors in connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.
In connection with our initial business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price of $10.00 per share or which approximates the per-share amounts in our trust account at such time, which is generally approximately $10.00, without taking into account any interest earned on such funds or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein. The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price of the shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time.
NASDAQ may delist our securities from quotation on its exchange which could limit investors' ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
We anticipate that our securities will be listed on NASDAQ, a national securities exchange, upon consummation of this offering. Although, after giving effect to this offering, we expect to meet NASDAQ's minimum initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Global Market, which generally only requires that we meet certain requirements relating to market capitalization, aggregate market value of publicly held shares and distribution requirements, we cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on NASDAQ in the future prior to an initial business combination. Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, it is possible that NASDAQ will require us to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. NASDAQ will also have discretionary authority to not approve our listing if NASDAQ determines that the listing of the company to be acquired is against public policy at that time.
If NASDAQ delists our securities from trading on its exchange, or we are not listed in connection with our initial business combination, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
• a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
• reduced liquidity with respect to our securities;
• a determination that our ordinary shares are "penny stock" which will require brokers trading in our ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our ordinary shares;
• a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
• a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as "covered securities." Because we expect that our units and ordinary shares and rights will be listed on NASDAQ, our units, ordinary shares and rights will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. If we were no longer listed on NASDAQ, our securities would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
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Our initial shareholders paid a nominal price for the Founders Shares and, accordingly, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution from the purchase of our ordinary shares.
The difference between the public offering price per share and the pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering constitutes the dilution to the investors in this offering. Our initial shareholders acquired the Founders Shares at a nominal price, significantly contributing to this dilution. Upon consummation of this offering, you and the other new investors will incur an immediate and substantial dilution of approximately 115.0% or $11.50 per share (the difference between the pro forma net tangible book value per share $(1.50) (assuming a maximum redemption scenario), and the initial offering price of $10.00 per unit). This is because investors in this offering will be contributing approximately 97% of the total amount paid to us for our outstanding securities after this offering but will only own approximately 80% of our outstanding securities and this becomes exacerbated to the extent that public shareholders seek to redeem their shares into a pro rata share of the trust proceeds. Accordingly, the per-share purchase price you will be paying substantially exceeds our per share net tangible book value.
Our initial shareholders paid an aggregate of $32,000 for the Founders Shares, or approximately $0.0056 per share. As a result, our initial shareholders stand to make a substantial profit even if an initial business combination subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders, and may have an incentive to recommend such an initial business combination to our shareholders.
As a result of the low acquisition cost of our Founders Shares, our initial shareholders could make a substantial profit even if we select and consummate an initial business combination with an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value or is unprofitable for our public shareholders. Thus, they may have more of an economic incentive for us to enter into an initial business combination with a riskier, weaker-performing or financially unstable business, or an entity lacking an established record of revenues or earnings, than would be the case if such parties had paid the full offering price for their Founders Shares.
If the non-managing sponsor investors purchase a substantial number of the units in this offering, it could reduce the trading volume, volatility and liquidity for our shares, adversely affect the trading price of our shares and, further, may present a conflict of interest for such non-managing sponsor investors in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.
If the non-managing sponsor investors purchase a substantial number of the units in the offering and depending on how many units are purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors, the post-offering trading volume, volatility and liquidity of our securities may be reduced relative to what they would have been had the units been more widely offered and sold to other public investors. We do not expect any purchase of units by the non-managing sponsor investors to negatively impact our ability to meet Nasdaq listing eligibility requirements.
Although we have no knowledge of any affiliation or other agreement or arrangement, as to voting of our securities or otherwise, among the non-managing sponsor investors, if such investors hold a substantial portion of the units purchased, the sponsor and the non-managing sponsor investors would collectively own a significant number of our shares. Further, the non-managing sponsor investors will share in any appreciation of the founder shares through their membership interests in the sponsor if we successfully complete a business combination. Non-managing sponsor investors' interests in the founder shares may provide them with an incentive to vote any public shares they own in favor of a business combination, and make a substantial profit on such interests, even if the business combination is with a target that ultimately declines in value and is not profitable for other public shareholders. Therefore, in the event that the non-managing sponsor investors purchase a substantial number of the units in this offering, continue to hold the shares included in the units and individually decide to vote such shares in favor of our initial business combination, we may not need any additional public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of our initial business combination to have our initial business combination approved.
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Since our sponsor, officers and directors and any other holder of our founder shares, including any non-managing sponsor investors will lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed (other than with respect to any public shares they may acquire during or after this offering), and because our sponsor, officers and directors and any other holder of our founder shares, including any non-managing sponsor investors, directly or indirectly may profit substantially from a business combination as a result of their ownership of founder shares even under circumstances where our public shareholders would experience losses in connection with their investment, a conflict of interest may arise in determining whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for our initial business combination, including in connection with the shareholder vote in respect thereto.
Our sponsor purchased 5,750,000 Founder Shares on September 29, 2025. Up to 750,000 Founder Shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full or in part. Prior to this initial investment in us by the sponsor, we had no assets, tangible or intangible. Our sponsor holds founder shares and has committed to purchase 370,000 private units. Subject to each non-managing sponsor investor purchasing, through the sponsor, the private units allocated to it in connection with the closing of this offering, the sponsor will issue membership interests at a nominal purchase price to the non-managing sponsor investors reflecting interests in an aggregate of 2,520,000 founder shares.
The Sponsor and Cantor have committed to purchase an aggregate of 570,000 private units (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $10.00 per unit, or $5,700,000 in the aggregate (whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Each private unit consists of one ordinary share and one right. Of those 570,000 private units, our sponsor has agreed to purchase 370,000 units and Cantor has agreed to purchase 200,000 units. The private units are identical to the units sold in this offering, subject to certain limited exceptions as described in this prospectus. If we do not complete our initial business combination by the Deadline unless the time to complete our initial business combination is extended in accordance with charter, the private units will be worthless. Given the differential in the purchase price paid for the founder shares as compared to the initial public offering price of the public shares and the substantial number of founder shares, the founder shares may have significant value after the business combination even if our ordinary shares trade below the initial public offering price and holders of our public shares have a substantial loss on their investment. The non-managing sponsor investors will have the same rights to the funds held in the trust account with respect to the shares included in the units and the rights included in the units, they may purchase in this offering as the rights afforded to our other public shareholders. The non-managing sponsor investors will potentially have different interests than our other public shareholders in approving our initial business combination and otherwise exercising their rights as public shareholders because of their indirect ownership of founder shares, private shares and private rights as further discussed in this prospectus. The non-managing sponsor investors will share in any appreciation of such securities through their membership interests in the sponsor if we successfully complete a business combination. Accordingly, non-managing sponsor investors' interests in the securities owned by them indirectly through their membership interests in the sponsor may provide them with an incentive to vote any public shares they own in favor of a business combination, and make a substantial profit on such interests, even if the business combination is with a target that ultimately declines in value and is not profitable for other public shareholders.
The personal and financial interests of our sponsor, directors and officers and any holders of our founder shares or our private units may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business combination, completing an initial business combination and influencing the operation of the business following the initial business combination and may result in a misalignment of interests between the holders of our founder shares, including any non-managing sponsor investors, and our officers and directors, on the one hand, and our public shareholders, on the other. These risks may become more acute as the deadline to complete our initial business combination nears. In particular, because the founder shares were purchased at a purchase price of approximately $0.0056 per share, the holders of our founder shares (including any non-managing sponsor investors and certain of our directors and officers that directly or indirectly own founder shares) could make a substantial profit after our initial business combination even if our public shareholders lose money on their investment as a result of a decrease in the post-combination value of their ordinary shares (after accounting for any adjustments in connection with an exchange or other transaction contemplated by the business combination).
Further, each of our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors were to be included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
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If our security holders exercise their registration rights, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares and the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effect a business combination.
Commencing at any time after we consummate an initial business combination, our initial shareholders are entitled to make a demand that we register the resale of the founders shares, and the holders of the private units and any additional private units issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors, or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us, are entitled to demand that we register the resale of the private units we issue to them (and the underlying securities). The presence of these additional securities trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities. In addition, the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business, as the shareholders of the target business may be discouraged from entering into a business combination with us or will request a higher price for their securities because of the potential effect the exercise of such rights may have on the trading market for our ordinary shares.
The determination for the offering price of our units is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry.
Prior to this offering there has been no public market for any of our securities. The public offering price of the units were negotiated between us Cantor. Factors considered in determining the prices and terms of the units, including the ordinary shares and rights underlying the units, include:
• the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies;
• prior offerings of those companies;
• our prospects for acquiring an operating business at attractive values;
• our capital structure;
• an assessment of our management and their experience in identifying operating companies; and
• general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering.
However, although these factors were considered, the determination of our offering price is more arbitrary than the pricing of securities for an operating company in a particular industry since we have no historical operations or financial results to compare them to.
Because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. Federal courts may be limited. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
Our corporate affairs will be governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time) and the common law of the Cayman Islands. We will also be subject to the federal securities laws of the United States. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding on a court in the Cayman Islands.
The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are different from what they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and certain states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholders derivative action in a Federal court of the United States.
We have been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are
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penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a United States company.
Provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and Cayman Islands law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders may consider to be in their best interests. These provisions include a staggered board of directors and the ability of the board of directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preference shares, which may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Cayman Islands law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make the removal of management more difficult and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides the courts of the Cayman Islands will be the exclusive forums for certain disputes between us and our shareholders, which could limit our shareholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for complaints against us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder's shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. The forum selection provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum.
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This choice of forum provision may increase a shareholder's cost and limit the shareholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any of our shares or other securities, whether by transfer, sale, operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to have notice of and have irrevocably agreed and consented to these provisions. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provisions, and the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies' charter documents has been challenged in legal proceedings. It is possible that a court could find this type of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable, and if a court were to find this provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could have adverse effect on our business and financial performance.
General Risks
We have no operating history and, accordingly, you will not have any basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We have no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to commence operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through this public offering of our securities. Since we do not have an operating history, you will have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We have not conducted any substantive discussions and we have no plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective acquisition candidates. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest, after the consummation of a business combination.
Our independent registered public accounting firm's report contains an explanatory paragraph that expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a "going concern."
On August 31, 2025, we had cash of $317,098 and a working capital deficit of $346,511. Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our financing and acquisition plans. Management's plans to address this need for capital through this offering are discussed in the section of this prospectus titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to consummate this offering or our inability to continue as a going concern.
You will not be entitled to protections normally afforded to investors of blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used to complete a business combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be a "blank check" company under the United States securities laws. However, since we will be listed on a national securities exchange upon the successful consummation of this offering, we are exempt from rules promulgated by the SEC to protect investors of blank check companies such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or protections of those rules which would, for example, completely restrict the transferability of our securities, require us to complete a business combination within 24 months of the effective date of the initial registration statement and restrict the use of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable and we will be entitled to withdraw amounts from the funds held in the trust account prior to the completion of a business combination.
Macro-economic turbulence and instability relating to recent and ongoing global conflicts and other drivers of uncertainty may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations and our ability to successfully consummate a business combination.
A deterioration in economic conditions and related drivers of global uncertainty and change, such as reduced business activity, high unemployment, rising interest rates, housing prices, and energy prices (including the price of gasoline), increased consumer indebtedness, lack of available credit, the rate of inflation, and consumer perceptions of the economy, as well as other factors, such as terrorist attacks, protests, looting, and other forms of civil unrest, cyber-attacks and data breaches, public health emergencies (such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics), extreme weather conditions and climate change, significant changes in the political environment, political instability, armed conflict (such as the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the emerging military conflict in Israel and Gaza) and/or public policy, including increased state, local or federal taxation, could adversely affect our
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financial condition, the financial condition of prospective target companies for our initial business combination, or the financial condition of the combined company even if we successfully consummate a business combination, as well as our ability to locate a commercially viable target company for our business combination in the first instance.
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, enhancing disclosures in business combination transactions involving SPACs and private operating companies; amending the financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; effectively limiting the use of projections in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions; increasing the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions; and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
We are an "emerging growth company" and "smaller reporting company" and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies will make our ordinary shares less attractive to investors.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an "emerging growth company" for up to five years. However, if our non-convertible debt issued within a three year period or revenues exceeds $1.235 billion, or the market value of our ordinary shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and we are exempt from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive because we may rely on these provisions. If some investors find our ordinary shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.
Additionally, we are a "smaller reporting company" as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year's second fiscal quarter. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
If we are deemed to be an investment company, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete a business combination.
A company that, among other things, is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, trading or holding certain types of securities would be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act, as amended. Since we will invest the proceeds held in the trust account, it is possible that we could be deemed an investment company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in trust may be invested by the trustee only in United States "government securities" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds
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meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, we intend to meet the requirements for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act.
On March 30, 2022, the SEC issued proposed rules relating to, among other items, the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The SEC's proposed rules would provide a safe harbor for companies like our company from the definition of "investment company" under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, provided that they satisfy certain conditions that limit a company's duration, asset composition, business purpose and activities. The duration component of the proposed safe harbor rule would require the company to file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC announcing that it has entered into an agreement with the target company (or companies) to engage in an initial business combination no later than 24 months after the effective date of the company's registration statement for its initial public offering. The company would then be required to complete its initial business combination no later than 36 months after the effective date of its registration statement for its initial public offering. These rules, if adopted, whether in the form proposed or in revised form, may materially adversely affect our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
If we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it more difficult for us to complete a business combination, including:
• restrictions on the nature of our investments; and
• restrictions on the issuance of securities.
In addition, we may have imposed upon us certain burdensome requirements, including:
• registration as an investment company;
• adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and
• reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, compliance policies and procedures and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
The SEC is also proposing to amend rules and forms under both the Investment Advisers Act of and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to require registered investment advisers, certain advisers exempt from registration, registered investment companies, and business development companies, to provide additional information regarding their environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") investment practices. The proposed amendments, if passed, may impose additional disclosure requirements on the company if we are deemed to be an investment company.
Compliance with these additional regulatory burdens and proposed amendments would require additional expense for which we have not allotted.
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will require substantial financial and management resources and may increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls and may require that we have such system of internal controls audited beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2026. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties and/or shareholder litigation. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports could harm our business. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also requires that our independent registered public accounting firm report on management's evaluation of our system of internal controls. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition. Furthermore, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in the implementation of adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our shares.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this prospectus that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipates," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predicts," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus may include, for example, statements about:
• our ability to complete our initial business combination;
• our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination;
• our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination, as a result of which they would then receive expense reimbursements and other benefits;
• our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete a business combination;
• our pool of prospective target businesses;
• the ability of our officers and directors to generate a number of potential investment opportunities;
• potential changes in control of us if we acquire one or more target businesses for stock;
• our public securities' potential liquidity and trading;
• the lack of a market for our securities;
• the impact on our business prospects of recently announced or proposed changes to rules or regulations impacting special purpose acquisition companies;
• the impact on our business prospects of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing market turbulence, rising interest rates, or geopolitical concerns and government instability;
• our expectations regarding the time during which we will be an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act or a "smaller reporting company" as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K;
• our use of proceeds not held in the trust account; or
• our financial performance following this offering or following our initial business combination.
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading "Risk Factors." Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, in addition to the funds we will receive from the sale of the private units ($10.00 for each unit sold in this offering will be deposited into the trust account), will be as set forth in the following table:
|
Without |
Over-Allotment |
|||||||
|
Gross proceeds |
||||||||
|
Gross proceeds from units offered to public(1) |
$ |
200,000,000 |
$ |
230,000,000 |
||||
|
Gross proceeds from private units offered in the private placement |
5,700,000 |
5,700,000 |
||||||
|
Total gross proceeds |
$ |
205,700,000 |
$ |
235,700,000 |
||||
|
Estimated offering expenses |
||||||||
|
Underwriting commissions (% of gross proceeds from units offered to public) |
$ |
4,000,000 |
$ |
4,000,000 |
||||
|
Legal fees and expenses |
275,000 |
275,000 |
||||||
|
Printing and engraving expenses |
40,000 |
40,000 |
||||||
|
Trustee fees and expenses |
25,000 |
25,000 |
||||||
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
85,000 |
85,000 |
||||||
|
SEC/FINRA expenses |
98,534 |
98,534 |
||||||
|
Travel and road show expenses |
15,000 |
15,000 |
||||||
|
Nasdaq listing fees |
85,000 |
85,000 |
||||||
|
Miscellaneous |
76,466 |
76,466 |
||||||
|
Total offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions) |
$ |
700,000 |
$ |
700,000 |
||||
|
Proceeds after estimated offering expenses |
$ |
201,000,000 |
$ |
231,000,000 |
||||
|
Held in trust account(3) |
$ |
200,000,000 |
$ |
230,000,000 |
||||
|
% of public offering size |
100.0 |
% |
100.0 |
% |
||||
|
Not held in trust account |
$ |
1,000,000 |
$ |
1,000,000 |
||||
The following table shows the use of the approximately $1,000,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account(2)
|
Amount |
% of Total |
|||||
|
Legal, accounting, due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination |
$ |
350,000 |
35.0 |
% |
||
|
Legal and accounting fees related to regulatory reporting obligations |
200,000 |
20.0 |
% |
|||
|
Nasdaq and other regulatory fees |
85,000 |
8.5 |
% |
|||
|
Working capital to cover miscellaneous(4) |
365,000 |
36.5 |
% |
|||
|
Total |
$ |
1,000,000 |
100 |
% |
||
____________
(1) Includes amounts payable to public shareholders who properly redeem their shares in connection with our successful completion of our initial business combination.
(2) These expenses are estimates only. Our actual expenditures for some or all of these items may differ from the estimates set forth herein. For example, we may incur greater legal and accounting expenses than our current estimates in connection with negotiating and structuring our initial business combination based upon the level of complexity of such business combination. In the event we identify a business combination target in a specific industry subject to specific regulations, we may incur additional expenses associated with legal due diligence and the engagement of special legal counsel. In addition, our staffing needs may vary and as a result, we may engage a number of consultants to assist with legal and financial due diligence. We do not anticipate any change in our intended use of proceeds, other than fluctuations among the current categories of allocated expenses, which fluctuations, to the extent they exceed current estimates for any specific category of expenses, would not be available for our expenses. The amount in the table above does not include interest available to us from the trust account. The proceeds held in the trust account will, if they are invested at all, only be invested only in U.S. government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations.
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(3) The underwriters have agreed to defer until the consummation of our initial business combination $9,000,000 of its underwriting commissions in the aggregate (or $10,950,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), which equals 4.5% of the gross proceeds of the gross proceeds from the units sold to the public, excluding any units purchased pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option, and 6.5% of the gross proceeds from the units sold pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option. Upon completion of our initial business combination, $9,000,000, which constitutes the underwriters' deferred commissions (or $10,950,000 if the underwriters' option to purchase additional units is exercised in full) will be paid to the underwriters from the funds held in the trust account, and the remaining funds, less amounts released to the trustee to pay redeeming shareholders, will be released to us and can be used to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of the business or businesses with which our initial business combination occurs or for general corporate purposes, including payment of principal or interest on indebtedness incurred in connection with our initial business combination, to fund the purchases of other companies, or for working capital. The underwriters will not be entitled to any interest accrued on the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions.
(4) This amount includes an approximate amount of annualized director and officer liability insurance premiums we anticipate paying upon the completion of this offering and until we complete a business combination. Unused funds allotted to other categories will go to this expense category which will include any miscellaneous expenses that may arise.
Our sponsor and Cantor have committed to purchase the private units (for an aggregate purchase price of $5,700,000) from us on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. All of the proceeds we receive from these purchases will be placed in the trust account described below.
Nasdaq rules provide that at least 90% of the gross proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private units be deposited in a trust account. In connection with this offering we expect to raise $205,700,000, or $235,700,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of the $205,700,000 in gross proceeds we receive from this offering, or $235,700,000 if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full $200,000,000 ($10.00 per unit), or $230,000,000 if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full ($10.00 per unit), will be deposited into a trust account in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, after deducting $4,000,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions payable upon the closing of this offering and an aggregate of $1,700,000 to pay fees and expenses in connection with the closing of this offering and for working capital following the closing of this offering. The funds held in trust will be held as cash or cash items (including demand deposit accounts) or invested only in United States "government securities" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, so that we are not deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act. To mitigate the risk that we might be deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, which risk increases the longer that we hold investments in the trust account, we may, at any time (based on our management team's ongoing assessment of all factors related to our potential status under the Investment Company Act), instruct the trustee to liquidate the investments held in the trust account and instead to hold the funds in the trust account in cash or in an interest bearing demand deposit account at a bank. We expect that the interest earned on the trust account will be sufficient to pay taxes. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us to pay our income or other tax obligations as described in this prospectus, the proceeds will not be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period. Any funds withdrawn from the trust account to pay for allowable taxes, will reduce the amount held in the trust account, thereby also reducing the redemption amount per ordinary share to redeeming shareholders. The remaining proceeds held in the trust account may be used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business with which we complete a business combination. Any amounts not paid as consideration to the sellers of the target business may be used to finance operations of the target business.
Our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost. Regardless of whether the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the net proceeds from this offering available to us out of trust for our working capital requirements in searching for a business combination will be approximately $1,000,000. We intend to use the proceeds for expenses such as paying for due diligence, legal, accounting and other expenses of structuring and negotiating business combinations, as well as for reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates in connection with activities on our behalf as described above, and for directors and officers liability insurance. The allocation of the net proceeds available to us outside of the trust account represents our best estimate of the intended uses of these funds. In the event that our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may reallocate some of such proceeds within the above-described categories.
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We may use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including any remaining funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the proceeds held in the trust account which are not used to consummate a business combination, and after being paid out to redeeming shareholders, will be disbursed to the combined company and will, along with any other net proceeds not expended, be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business' operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products.
To the extent we are unable to consummate a business combination, we will pay the costs of liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, we may use $175,000 for additional working capital and up to $100,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account for our liquidation expenses.
Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the offering. As of August 31, 2025, we had borrowed $300,000 (of up to $300,000 available to us). Such funds may be used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering referenced in the line items above for SEC registration fee, FINRA filing fee, any non-refundable portion of the NASDAQ listing fee, a portion of the legal and audit fees and other offering expenses. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and repayable upon the date on which we conclude the initial public offering of our securities.
We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the approximate $1,000,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account will be sufficient to allow us to operate for the next 24 months assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. However, if necessary, in order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, on a non-interest bearing basis, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at holder's discretion, on the date on which the Company determines conducts the initial public offering of its securities convert such loans into units, which would be identical to the private units. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. These loans would be repaid at completion of the initial business combination.
A public shareholder will be entitled to receive funds from the trust account (including interest earned on his, her or its portion of the trust account to the extent not previously released to us) only in the event of (i) our redemption of 100% of the outstanding public shares if we have not completed a business combination in the required time period, (ii) if that public shareholder redeems such shares, or sells such shares to us in a tender offer, in connection with a business combination which we consummate or (iii) we seek to amend any provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect our public shareholders' ability to redeem or sell their shares to us as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination by the Deadline. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, whether proposed by our initial shareholders, executive officers, directors or any other person. In no other circumstances will a public shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of an initial business combination. A Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or the share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if following such payment the company would be unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. Further, if we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors at such time. It is the present intention of our Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our Board of Directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our Board of Directors is not currently contemplating and does not anticipate declaring any share dividends in the foreseeable future, except if we increase the size of the offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, in which case we will effect a share dividend immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of our initial shareholders at approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of our ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering (assuming the initial shareholders do not purchase units in this offering and not including the private units or their underlying securities).
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DILUTION
The difference between the public offering price per share, assuming no value is attributed to the rights included in the units we are offering by this prospectus and the private units, and the pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering constitutes the dilution to investors in this offering. Such calculation does not reflect any dilution associated with the sale or rights including the private units. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value, which is our total tangible assets less total liabilities (including the value of ordinary shares which may be redeemed for cash or sold in a tender offer), by the number of outstanding ordinary shares.
The below calculations (A) assume that (i) no ordinary shares are issued to shareholders of a potential business combination target as consideration or issuable by a post-business combination company, for instance under an equity or employee share purchase plan, (ii) no ordinary shares and convertible equity or debt securities are issued in connection with additional financing that we may seek in connection with an initial business combination (however, we may need to do so as we intend to target an initial business combination with a target company whose enterprise value is greater than we could acquire with the net proceeds of the offering and the sale of private units), (iii) no working capital loans are converted into private units, as further described in this prospectus and (B) assume the issuance of 20,000,000 shares (and no exercise of over-allotment option) and 5,000,000 founder shares (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised in full).
At August 31, 2025, our net tangible book deficit was $346,511, or approximately $(0.06) per ordinary share. After giving effect to the sale of 20,000,000 ordinary shares included in the units we are offering by this prospectus, the sale of the private units and the deduction of underwriting commissions, estimated expenses of this offering and proceeds held in the trust account subject to redemption/tender, our pro forma net tangible book value at August 31, 2025 would have been $(8,359,703) or $(1.50) per share, representing an immediate increase in net tangible book value (as decreased by the value of the approximately 20,000,000 ordinary shares that may be redeemed for cash and assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) of $(1.44) per share (assuming maximum redemption scenario) to our initial shareholders and an immediate dilution of $11.50 per share or 115.00% to our public shareholders not exercising their redemption rights. The decrease attributable to public shares subject to redemption is included in the calculation below at $10.00 per share, as all public shareholders have the right to redeem. The dilution to new investors if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full would be an immediate dilution of $11.60 per share or 116.00%.
The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis, assuming no value is attributed to the rights included in the units and the private units:
|
As of August 31, 2025 |
||||||||||||||||
|
No exercise of over-allotment option |
No |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
|||||||||||
|
Public offering price |
$ |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
||||||||||
|
Net tangible book value before this offering |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
||||||
|
Increase attributable to public shareholders |
7.55 |
6.95 |
5.95 |
4.00 |
(1.44 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering |
7.49 |
6.89 |
5.89 |
3.94 |
(1.50 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Dilution to public shareholders |
$ |
2.51 |
3.11 |
4.11 |
6.06 |
11.50 |
||||||||||
|
Percentage of dilution to public shareholders |
25.10 |
% |
31.10 |
% |
41.00 |
% |
60.60 |
% |
115.00 |
% |
||||||
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|
Full exercise of over-allotment option |
No |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
|||||||||||
|
Public offering price |
$ |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
||||||||||
|
Net tangible book value before this offering |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
(0.06 |
) |
||||||
|
Increase attributable to public shareholders |
7.56 |
6.95 |
5.95 |
3.99 |
(1.54 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Pro forma net tangible book value after this offering |
7.50 |
6.89 |
5.89 |
3.93 |
(1.60 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Dilution to public shareholders |
$ |
2.50 |
3.11 |
4.11 |
6.07 |
11.60 |
||||||||||
|
Percentage of dilution to public shareholders |
25.00 |
% |
31.10 |
% |
41.10 |
% |
60.70 |
% |
116.00 |
% |
||||||
For purposes of presentation, we have reduced our pro forma net tangible book value after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option) by $200,000,000 because holders of our public shares may exercise their redemption rights at a per share redemption price equal to the amount in the trust account as set forth in our tender offer or proxy materials (initially anticipated to be the aggregate amount held in trust two business days prior to the commencement of our tender offer or shareholders meeting, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable)), divided by the number of ordinary shares sold in this offering.
The following table sets forth information with respect to our existing shareholders and the public shareholders:
|
|
|
Average |
|||||||||||||
|
Number |
Purchased |
Percentage |
Amount |
Percentage |
|||||||||||
|
Initial shareholders |
5,000,000 |
(1) |
18.10 |
% |
$ |
32,000 |
0.02 |
% |
$ |
0.0064 |
|||||
|
Private Placement purchasers |
627,000 |
(3) |
2.27 |
% |
$ |
5,700,000 |
2.77 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
Public shareholders |
22,000,000 |
(2) |
79.63 |
% |
$ |
200,000,000 |
97.22 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
Total |
27,627,000 |
100.00 |
% |
$ |
205,732,000 |
100.00 |
% |
||||||||
____________
(1) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 750,000 founders shares have been forfeited as a result thereof.
(2) Includes the issuance of an additional 2,000,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the public shareholders
(3) Includes the issuance of an additional 57,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the private placement
The pro forma net tangible book value per share after the offering is calculated as follows:
|
As of August 31, 2025 |
||||||||||||||||
|
No exercise of over-allotment option |
No |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
|||||||||||
|
Numerator: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Net tangible book deficit before |
$ |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
|||||
|
Net proceeds from this offering and sale of the private units |
201,000,000 |
201,000,000 |
201,000,000 |
201,000,000 |
201,000,000 |
|||||||||||
|
Plus: Offering costs paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
|||||||||||
|
Less: Over-allotment liability |
(216,100 |
) |
(216,100 |
) |
(216,100 |
) |
(216,100 |
) |
(216,100 |
) |
||||||
|
Less: Deferred underwriting |
(9,000,000 |
) |
(9,000,000 |
) |
(9,000,000 |
) |
(9,000,000 |
) |
(9,000,000 |
) |
||||||
|
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to possible redemption |
- |
(50,000,000 |
) |
(100,000,000 |
) |
(150,000,000 |
) |
(200,000,000 |
) |
|||||||
|
$ |
191,640,297 |
141,640,297 |
91,640,297 |
41,640,297 |
(8,359,703 |
) |
||||||||||
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|
As of August 31, 2025 |
|||||||||||||||
|
No exercise of over-allotment option |
No |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
||||||||||
|
Denominator: |
|||||||||||||||
|
shares outstanding prior to this |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
||||||||||
|
shares forfeited if over-allotment is not exercised |
(750,000 |
) |
(750,000 |
) |
(750,000 |
) |
(750,000 |
) |
(750,000 |
) |
|||||
|
shares included in the units |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
20,000,000 |
||||||||||
|
Less: shares subject to possible |
- |
(5,000,000 |
) |
(10,000,000 |
) |
(15,000,000 |
) |
(20,000,000 |
) |
||||||
|
shares underlying private units |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
||||||||||
|
25,570,000 |
20,570,000 |
15,570,000 |
10,570,000 |
5,570,000 |
|||||||||||
|
Full exercise of over-allotment option |
No |
25% of |
50% of |
75% of |
Maximum |
|||||||||||
|
Numerator: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Net tangible book deficit before |
$ |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
(346,511 |
) |
|||||
|
Net proceeds from this offering and sale of the private units(1) |
231,000,000 |
231,000,000 |
231,000,000 |
231,000,000 |
231,000,000 |
|||||||||||
|
Plus: Offering costs paid in advance, excluded from tangible book value |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
202,908 |
|||||||||||
|
Less: Deferred underwriting discount |
(10,950,000 |
) |
(10,950,000 |
) |
(10,950,000 |
) |
(10,950,000 |
) |
(10,950,000 |
) |
||||||
|
Less: Proceeds held in trust subject to possible redemption |
- |
(57,500,000 |
) |
(115,000,000 |
) |
(172,500,000 |
) |
(230,000,000 |
) |
|||||||
|
$ |
219,906,397 |
162,406,397 |
104,906,397 |
47,406,397 |
(10,093,603 |
) |
||||||||||
|
Denominator: |
||||||||||||||||
|
shares outstanding prior to this offering(3) |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
5,750,000 |
|||||||||||
|
shares included in the units offered |
23,000,000 |
23,000,000 |
23,000,000 |
23,000,000 |
23,000,000 |
|||||||||||
|
Less: shares subject to possible |
- |
(5,750,000 |
) |
(11,500,000 |
) |
(17,250,000 |
) |
(23,000,000 |
) |
|||||||
|
shares underlying private units |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
570,000 |
|||||||||||
|
29,320,000 |
23,570,000 |
17,820,000 |
12,070,000 |
6,320,000 |
||||||||||||
____________
(1) Expenses applied against gross proceeds include offering expenses to be capitalized of $750,000 (not including amounts for director and officer liability insurance premiums to be paid upon closing of this offering, which amount is not an offering expense to be capitalized) and underwriting commissions of $4,000,000. See "Use of Proceeds."
(2) If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our sponsor, initial shareholders, directors, officers or their affiliates may purchase shares or public rights in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market either prior to or following the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of any such purchases of our shares prior to the completion of our initial business combination, the number of ordinary shares subject to redemption will be reduced by the amount of any such purchases, increasing the pro forma net tangible book value per share.
(3) Assumes that 750,000 founder shares are surrendered to us for no consideration.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization at August 31, 2025 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of our units and the private units and the application of the estimated net proceeds derived from the sale of such securities:
|
August 31, 2025 |
||||||||
|
Actual |
As Adjusted(1) |
|||||||
|
Promissory note - related party |
$ |
300,000 |
$ |
- |
||||
|
Due to Sponsor |
252,101 |
- |
||||||
|
Deferred underwriting commissions |
- |
9,000,000 |
||||||
|
Over-allotment liability |
- |
216,100 |
||||||
|
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, -0- and 20,000,000 shares which are subject to possible redemption/tender |
- |
200,000,000 |
||||||
|
Shareholders' deficit: |
||||||||
|
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding |
- |
- |
||||||
|
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 5,570,000 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 20,000,000 shares subject to possible redemption/tender), as adjusted(2) |
575 |
557 |
||||||
|
Additional paid-in capital |
24,425 |
- |
||||||
|
Accumulated deficit |
(168,603 |
) |
(8,360,260 |
) |
||||
|
Total shareholders' deficit |
(143,603 |
) |
(8,359,703 |
) |
||||
|
Total capitalization |
$ |
408,498 |
$ |
200,856,397 |
||||
____________
(1) Includes the $5,700,000 we will receive from the sale of the private units.
(2) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 750,000 Founders Shares have been forfeited as a result thereof.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We were formed on November 26, 2024 for the purpose of entering into a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more target businesses and transferred by way of continuation to the Cayman Islands as an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on July 25, 2025. On September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 30, 2025, we merged with Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp., which is the surviving entity, and we are now a Cayman Islands exempted company. While we may pursue an initial business combination target in any business, industry or geographic location, we intend to search globally for target companies within the M&E industry with a primary focus on the United States, and in particular on identifying attractive targets among content studios and film production, family entertainment, animation, music, gaming, e-sports, talent management, talent-facing brands and businesses, and more. We intend to utilize cash derived from the proceeds of this offering, our securities, debt or a combination of cash, securities and debt, in effecting a business combination. The issuance of additional ordinary shares or preference shares:
• may significantly reduce the equity interest of our shareholders;
• may subordinate the rights of holders of ordinary shares if we issue preference shares with rights senior to those afforded to our ordinary shares;
• will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of our ordinary shares are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and most likely will also result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors; and
• may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our securities.
Similarly, if we issue debt securities, it could result in:
• default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to pay our debt obligations;
• acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contains covenants that required the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and we breach any such covenant without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
• our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and
• our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain additional financing while such security is outstanding.
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our entire activity since inception has been to prepare for our proposed fundraising through an offering of our equity securities.
We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity needs have been satisfied, as of August 31, 2025, through an advance from our sponsor in an aggregate amount of $300,000. We estimate that the net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in this offering, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $700,000 and underwriting discounts and commissions of $4,000,000 and (ii) the sale of the private units for a purchase price of $5,700,000 (whether or not if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be $201,000,000 (or $231,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of this amount, $200,000,000 (or $230,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in the trust account. The remaining $1,000,000 will not be held in trust.
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We may use substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, including the funds held in the trust account, to acquire a target business and to pay our expenses relating thereto. To the extent that our capital stock is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect a business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net proceeds not expended will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business. Such working capital funds could be used in a variety of ways including continuing or expanding the target business' operations, for strategic acquisitions and for marketing, research and development of existing or new products. Such funds could also be used to repay any operating expenses or finders' fees which we had incurred prior to the completion of our business combination if the funds available to us outside of the trust account were insufficient to cover such expenses.
We believe that, upon consummation of this offering, the approximate $1,000,000 of net proceeds not held in the trust account, together with the interest earned on the funds held in the trust account available to us for working capital needs, will be sufficient to allow us to operate for at least the next 24 months, assuming that a business combination is not consummated during that time. Over this time period, we will be using these funds for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing business due diligence on prospective target businesses, traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses, reviewing corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, selecting the target business to acquire and structuring, negotiating and consummating the business combination. We anticipate that we will incur approximately:
• $350,000 of expenses for legal, accounting due diligence, travel, and other expenses in connection with any business combination;
• $200,000 of expenses in legal and accounting fees relating to our regulatory reporting obligations;
• our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost;
• $450,000 for working capital and other expenses including directors and officers insurance premiums.
In particular, we and our sponsor are considering whether to engage a Chief Legal Officer or other in-house counsel utilizing a portion of our working capital budget and/or budget for legal and other expenses in order to, among other things, assist with our compliance with our ongoing reporting obligations, negotiations with prospective targets for our initial business combination, and preparation of draft filings and agreements in anticipation of our initial business combination.
If our estimates of the above costs are less than the actual costs, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination. Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing either to consummate our initial business combination or because we become obligated to redeem a significant number of our public shares upon consummation of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination. We do not have a maximum debt leverage ratio or a policy with respect to how much debt we may incur. The amount of debt we will be willing to incur will depend on the facts and circumstances of the proposed business combination and market conditions at the time of the potential business combination. At this time, we are not party to any arrangement or understanding with any third party with respect to raising additional funds through the sale of our securities or the incurrence of debt. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only consummate such financing simultaneously with the consummation of our initial business combination. In the current economic environment, it has become especially difficult to obtain acquisition financing. Additionally, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Related Party Transactions
Our sponsor, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC and Cantor, have committed to purchase 570,000 private units at $10.00 per private unit (for a total purchase price of $5,700,000) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering.
The Company had initially engaged D. Boral Capital LLC ("D. Boral") to act as the lead underwriter in connection with this public offering. In May 2025, D. Boral and the Company agreed to terminate such engagement, and in consideration therefore, the sponsor has agreed to transfer 10,000 founder shares to D. Boral in full settlement of any fees incurred by D. Boral in connection with their engagement (the "D. Boral Shares"). The D. Boral Shares will be subject to the same lock-up and transfer restrictions as the other holders of founder shares.
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We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds following this offering in order to meet the expenditures required for operating our business. However, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds on a non-interest bearing basis as may be required. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment.
Controls and Procedures
We are not currently required to maintain an effective system of internal controls as defined by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to comply with the internal control requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the quarter ending February 28, 2026. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not completed an assessment, nor have our auditors tested our systems, of internal controls. We expect to assess the internal controls of our target business or businesses prior to the completion of our initial business combination and, if necessary, to implement and test additional controls as we may determine are necessary in order to state that we maintain an effective system of internal controls. A target business may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding the adequacy of internal controls. Target businesses we may consider for a business combination may have internal controls that need improvement in areas such as:
• staffing for financial, accounting and external reporting areas, including segregation of duties;
• reconciliation of accounts;
• proper recording of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate;
• evidence of internal review and approval of accounting transactions;
• documentation of processes, assumptions and conclusions underlying significant estimates; and
• documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
Because it will take time, management involvement and perhaps outside resources to determine what internal control improvements are necessary for us to meet regulatory requirements and market expectations for our operation of a target business, we may incur significant expense in meeting our public reporting responsibilities, particularly in the areas of designing, enhancing, or remediating internal and disclosure controls. Doing so effectively may also take longer than we expect, thus increasing our exposure to financial fraud or erroneous financing reporting.
Once our management's report on internal controls is complete, we will retain our independent auditors to audit and render an opinion on such report when required by Section 404. The independent auditors may identify additional issues concerning a target business's internal controls while performing their audit of internal control over financial reporting.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The net proceeds of this offering, including amounts in the trust account, will, if they are invested at all, only be invested in United States "government securities" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less, or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe there will be no associated material exposure to interest rate risk.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations; Quarterly Results
As of the date of this prospectus, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations. No unaudited quarterly operating data is included in this prospectus as we have conducted no operations to date.
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BUSINESS
General
We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. We have not selected any specific business combination target and we have not, nor has anyone on our behalf, engaged in any substantive discussions, directly or indirectly, with any business combination target with respect to an initial business combination with us.
Our efforts to identify a prospective initial business combination target will not be limited to a particular industry, sector or geographic region. While we may pursue an initial business combination opportunity in any industry or sector, we intend to capitalize on the ability of our management team's established global relationships and operating experience particularly in media and entertainment. As such, we intend to search globally for target companies with a focus on the media & entertainment ("M&E") industry, with a focus on music, animation, artificial intelligence ("AI"), and more. To date, our efforts have been limited to organizational activities as well as activities related to this offering. None of our officers, directors, promoters or other affiliates has engaged in any substantive discussions on our behalf with representatives of other companies regarding the possibility of a potential business combination with us.
Overview
The members of our management team, including Jose A. Bengochea, our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), and Chairman, and William Caragol, our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as well as our strategic advisors, have extensive experience with special purpose acquisition companies and consummating business combinations.
Mr. Bengochea, our CEO founded Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. (NASDAQ: "IROH" and referred to herein as "Iron Horse I"), a special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC") formed for substantially similar purposes as our Company. Mr. Caragol, our CFO, served as both CFO and COO of Iron Horse I, and its initial public offering ("IPO") was consummated on December 29, 2023. In September 2024, Iron Horse I entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement with Zhong Guo Liang Tou Group Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands ("CFI"), and Rosy Sea Holdings Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands ("Seller") and the owner of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of CFI, for an approximate valuation of $523 million. Iron Horse I then filed its S4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in December 2024.
Iron Horse I was founded on the premise that there were growing global opportunities in the M&E industry, as well as in the tangential consumer products industry with close ties to M&E that could unlock additional value. We believe that these correlations have become more apparent since the Iron Horse I IPO. For instance, global M&E industry revenue grew to $2.8 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach $3.4 trillion by 2028 according to a 2024 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. A clear driver of change in this space has been the advent of AI and proliferation of AI-based technologies as the industries' pandemic-related woes have largely been erased, allowing for increase in entertainment bundling on entertainment streaming, gaming and virtual experiences, as well as a growing revival of real-life M&E experiences.
As a result, our management team believes a number of strong and growing M&E businesses are now in a position to benefit from capital and industry expertise to achieve their full growth potential and harness the opportunities unlocked by these recent changes.
Our Sponsor
Our sponsor is a Cayman Islands limited liability company, which was formed to invest in us. Although our sponsor is permitted to undertake any activities permitted under the Limited Liability Company Act (As Revised) and other applicable law, our sponsor's business is focused on investing in our company. The managing member of the sponsor is Mr. Bengochea, our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bengochea controls the management of our sponsor, including the exercise of voting and investment discretion over the securities of our company held by our sponsor. Of the 570,000
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private units, 370,000 will be purchased by the sponsor in the private placement, and the non-managing sponsor investors have been allocated through their membership interests in the sponsor 315,000 private units, or 85% of the private units, with our officers and directors owning the remainder.
See "Summary - The Offering - Private units."
The following table sets forth the payments to be received by our sponsor and its affiliates from us prior to or in connection with the completion of our initial business combination and the securities issued and to be issued by us to our sponsor or its affiliates:
|
Entity/Individual |
Amount of Compensation to be Received |
|
||
|
IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC |
5,000,000(1) ordinary shares |
$32,000 |
||
|
370,000(2) private units to be purchased simultaneously with the closing of this offering(1)(2) |
$3,700,000 |
|||
|
Up to $300,000 |
Repayment of loans made to us to cover offering related and organizational expenses |
|||
|
Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination |
Expenses incurred in connection with identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination |
|||
|
Up to $1,500,000 in working capital loans, which loans may be converted into private units of the post-business combination entity at the price of $10.00 per private unit |
Working capital loans to finance transaction costs in connection with an initial business combination |
____________
(1) Assumes the full forfeiture of 750,000 founder shares and no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2) The sponsor non-managing members have expressed an interest to purchase sponsor non-managing membership interests reflecting interests in an aggregate of 315,000 of the 370,000 private units to be purchased by our sponsor (whether or not the over-allotment option is exercised), at a price of $10.00 per interest ($3,700,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Of the 370,000 private units, 370,000 units will be purchase by the sponsor, of which the non-managing sponsor investors shall be allocated through their membership interests in the sponsor, 315,000 private units, which would result in them owning 85% of the private units, with our officers and directors owning the remainder.
The low price that our sponsor, executive officers and directors (directly or indirectly) paid for the founder shares creates an incentive whereby our officers and directors could potentially make a substantial profit even if we select an acquisition target that subsequently declines in value and is unprofitable for public shareholders. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, or by such earlier liquidation date as our board of directors may approve, the founder shares, private shares and private units will be worthless, except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. In addition, our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost.
Because our sponsor acquired the founder shares at a nominal price, our public shareholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution upon the closing of this offering, assuming no value is ascribed to the private units. See the sections titled "Risk Factors - Risks Relating to our Securities - The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may result in significant dilution to the implied value of your public shares upon the consummation of our initial business combination, and our sponsor is likely to make a substantial profit on its investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to materially decline." and "Dilution."
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The nominal purchase price paid by our sponsor for the founder shares may significantly dilute the implied value of your public shares in the event we consummate an initial business combination, and our sponsor and other initial shareholders are likely to make a substantial profit on their investment in us in the event we consummate an initial business combination, even if the business combination causes the trading price of our ordinary shares to decline materially. The following table sets forth information with respect to our initial shareholders and the public shareholders:
|
Shares |
Total Consideration |
Average Price |
|||||||||||||
|
Number |
Purchased |
Percentage |
Amount |
Percentage |
|||||||||||
|
Initial shareholders |
5,000,000 |
(1) |
18.10 |
% |
$ |
32,000 |
0.01 |
% |
$ |
0.0064 |
|||||
|
Private Placement purchasers |
627,000 |
(3) |
2.27 |
% |
$ |
5,700,000 |
2.77 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
Public shareholders |
22,000,000 |
(2) |
79.63 |
% |
$ |
200,000,000 |
97.22 |
% |
$ |
9.09 |
|||||
|
Total |
27,627,000 |
100.00 |
% |
$ |
205,732,000 |
100.00 |
% |
||||||||
____________
(1) Assumes the over-allotment option has not been exercised and an aggregate of 750,000 Founders Shares have been forfeited as a result thereof.
(2) Includes the issuance of an additional 2,000,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the public shareholders.
(3) Includes the issuance of an additional 57,000 shares underlying the rights contained in the private placement.
Business Strategy
Our team has demonstrated an extensive global track record of successful acquisitions, value creation, and value enhancement, both in and outside the M&E industry, most recently demonstrated by our previous Management Team's previous SPAC Iron Horse I.
We believe our team's track record encompasses successful experiences through negotiating deals across numerous industries, working directly with operators and navigating companies through acquisition transactions (as both acquiror and acquiree), expanding product ranges for existing businesses, and providing strategic guidance to develop revenue and commercial opportunities.
Management Team
Our management team has a long history of value creation in the private and public markets, with a strong track record of creating value for shareholders including through acquiring and operating successful businesses within our target sectors. Several members of our team have unique networks and relationships and extensive experience sourcing and executing transactions that will enhance our ability to identify, negotiate and complete a successful business combination and accelerate the growth trajectory and profitability of the acquired business post-business combination.
We believe that we are well positioned to identify attractive acquisition opportunities, in particular because our team expects to utilize their access to industry contacts and proprietary deal flow to generate business combination opportunities. We believe that our team's networks in particular will broaden our access to potential transaction opportunities outside typical competitive deal sourcing intermediaries. Our team is well-connected in our target sectors and, as such, we have the opportunity to be potential targets' preferred partner for opportunities that they might think are appropriate for a SPAC acquisition, beginning with members of the Iron Horse I team returning with their experience in SPAC deals and in public markets.
Jose Antonio Bengochea is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bengochea has served as the Chief Executive Officer of and a director of Iron Horse I since November 2021, and has served as the managing member of Bengochea SPAC Sponsor I LLC, the sponsor of Iron Horse I since November 2021. Mr. Bengochea is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bengochea Capital LLC ("Bengochea Capital"), an investment firm founded in 2020 to pursue frontier asset classes and, through Mr. Bengochea's network of connections to various M&E industry executives and celebrities, to examine global opportunities in media and entertainment. Bengochea Capital has been a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the 2023 Grammy Awards; is currently a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards; has been present at the Cannes Film Festival, among other prestigious events; and has access to several animation, family, and IP potential deal-flow, with a growing number of business touchpoints across Asia. Prior to founding Bengochea Capital, Mr. Bengochea was a part of Sony's Global Business Development team in Los Angeles and, prior to that, served as a corporate attorney at the law firm of Jenner & Block in New York City. Mr. Bengochea holds an A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he designed his own degree, entitled Comparative Imperial History, and graduated with a secondary specialization in Archaeology. Mr. Bengochea also holds a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
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William Caragol is our Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company. Mr. Caragol has served as the Chief Financial Officer (since December 2024) and Chief Operating Officer of Iron Horse I since December 2023. Mr. Caragol has over thirty years of experience working with growth stage companies. In 2018, he founded and is the Managing Director of Quidem LLC, a corporate strategic and financial advisory firm. Since July 2021 he has been the Chief Financial Officer of Mainz Biomed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer. Since July 2021, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of Worksport Ltd. (NASDAQ: WKSP), a growth stage technology company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. Since July 2023, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of DeFi Development Corp. (NASDAQ: DFDV), a real-estate software firm and Solana-focused treasury company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. From 2021 to 2023, Mr. Caragol served on the Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Audit Committee of Greenbox POS (NASDAQ: GBOX) a financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions. Mr. Caragol earned a B.S. in business administration and accounting from Washington & Lee University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Management is joined by three new members to serve on the board of directors, including Tarron Hecox, Melissa Escobar, and Daniel Becker, while all three previous Iron Horse I independent directors are returning to serve as Strategic Advisors.
Tarron Hecox will serve as our lead independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Hecox has ample public markets and operational experience. Since 2019, he has held various commercial roles at AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a Fortune 500 company. Previously, Mr. Hecox worked with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, William Blair & Company, and Parnassus Investments, and he also formerly co-founded Spartan Capital L.L.C. in 2017, a private fund formed to pursue technology opportunities. Mr. Hecox is also well versed in SPACs and entertainment through the private fund he co-founded in 2014, Limitless Strategies, LLC, which focuses on creating value through public and private investments in media, entertainment, and AI. Mr. Hecox received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2016; an undergraduate degree with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied economics, finance, and accounting; a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and has held a CPA designation.
Ms. Melissa de Assis Escobar will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Ms. Escobar is an especially prominent global figure in entertainment, having been recognized as a pioneer in the development of Hispanic content and global talent. She co-founded Latin World Entertainment alongside actress Sofia Vergara and Luis Balaguer in 1994, and together leads Latin World Entertainment's growth into a multicultural entertainment leader specializing in series, documentaries, films, and brand marketing, with an audience of over 900 million global followers through its network. Under Ms. Escobar's leadership, Latin World Entertainment has won critical acclaim, having produced works such as Griselda for Netflix and Maradona: Sueño Bendito for Amazon Prime. In all, she has over 30 years of entertainment experience, having worked with top-tier companies such as Telemundo, Univision, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube/Google, Disney Buenavista, ABC and HBO Latino. Her team has marketed over 1,000 major Hollywood studio films to Hispanics, and promoted premier Spanish-language music tours for the largest live entertainment companies in the USA.
Daniel Becker will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Becker is an expert in AI machine learning, emerging technologies, and in the interplay between new technologies and consumerism, with particular strategic expertise and networks in AI infrastructure, data systems, and CPG businesses. Since December 2024, Mr. Becker has served as a Data Engineer at Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) where, from Miami, he leads an international team overseeing finance, data, and analytics across several of their investments, including the Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Burger King franchises worldwide. Prior to Restaurant Brands, from August 2023 through November 2024, Mr. Becker worked at Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN, "Lennar"), building AI-driven software pilots for its Emerging Technology group, in addition to evaluating new technologies and other investment opportunities. Mr. Becker has also worked with several Fortune 100 clients across several industries, including finance/MBS, ad-tech and media, retail, manufacturing, and more, during his prior tenures as a freelance consultant from July 2020 until July 2023. Mr. Becker served as consultant to Iron Horse I from 2024 to the present. Mr. Becker graduated from Princeton University in 2013 where he holds a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a focus on computer vision and autonomous systems.
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In addition, three previous independent directors from Iron Horse I are returning as Strategic Advisors.
Ken Hertz will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus, and has been serving since December 2023 as an Iron Horse I independent director and Chairman of Iron Horse I's Executive Committee. Mr. Hertz is currently a director for JUST GOODS and has served as a Senior Partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Hertz Lichtenstein Young & Polk LLP since 2007. Mr. Hertz and his partners specialize in representing talent, senior executives, entrepreneurs, agencies, and brands in entertainment, fashion, sports, media, and technology industries. Prior to forming the firm, Mr. Hertz had been a partner in Hansen Jacobson & Teller, since 1989. Before that, he was global head of music - business and legal affairs - for The Walt Disney Company. He is also a principal in memBrain - an entertainment marketing and strategy consulting firm that advises a number of C-Suite executives on their company's entertainment related marketing strategies. memBrain has worked with Intel, McDonald's, Hasbro, MillerCoors, Li & Fung and Logitech. Mr. Hertz has also been an active early-stage venture investor and advisor since 1997 and is a frequent speaker and commentator on the subjects of entertainment, marketing and convergence. He is often quoted in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal, has appeared on CNBC's monthly newsmagazine "Business Nation," has been an instructor at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, Marshall School of Business, Stanford Business School, and an adjunct professor of law at USC. He graduated UCLA with a J.D. in 1984 and U.C. Berkeley in 1981 with a B.S.
Brian Turner will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Turner has been serving since December 2023 as the Chairman of the board of directors of Iron Horse I and was formerly Chair of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space. He has served on numerous public and private companies boards of directors as well. Mr. Turner was the Chief Financial Officer of Coinstar Inc. from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to Coinstar, from 2001 to 2003, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Real Networks, Inc., a digital media and technology company. Prior to Real Networks, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Turner was employed by Bsquare Corp., a software company, where he initially served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary, before being promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Turner was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration of Radisys Corp., an embedded software company. Mr. Turner's experience also includes 13 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he held several positions including Director of Corporate Finance. Mr. Turner was formerly Chairman of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space, and is now Chair of the Audit Committee for MVIS. Mr. Turner has also been a director for several private companies. Mr. Turner holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington.
Scott Morris, will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company. Mr. Morris was an Iron Horse I independent director and has been Chairman of Avista (NYSE: AVA) since 2008. Mr. Morris started his career at AVA in 1981. From 2008 to 2019, he served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and served as Avista's President from 2008 to 2018. Prior to that, Mr. Morris was also the company's Chief Operating Officer. His experiences include management positions in multiple industries, including construction, customer service, and utilities. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University and received his master's degree from Gonzaga University in organizational leadership. He also attended the Stanford Business School Financial Management Program and the Kidder Peabody School of Financial Management. Mr. Morris serves on the boards of McKinstry Inc. and California Water Service. He is also on the Board of Trustees of Gonzaga University. He has served on a number of Spokane nonprofit and economic development Boards.
The past performance of our management team is not a guarantee that we will be able to identify a suitable candidate for our initial business combination or of success with respect to any business combination we may consummate. Our management team may have had acquisitions or investments that were not successful. You should not rely on the historical record of our management's performance as indicative of our future performance.
Commitment to Diversity
As a first generation American and native Spanish speaker, Mr. Bengochea is a passionate advocate of greater diversity in entertainment, media, and in the public markets, and is honored to serve once again as one of the only Hispanic executives on the public markets. Ms. Escobar is also proud to serve as one of the only Hispanic directors on the public markets, herself being originally from Colombia and having dedicated much of her career to promoting Hispanic talent, such as Sofia Vergara, and empowering Hispanic voices through entertainment.
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Acquisition Strategy
Our team intends to leverage its skills, expertise and networks within the team's international hubs, particularly within the media, entertainment, and AI industries, to identify attractive target companies and provide guidance on the benefits of being a publicly-traded entity, including broader access to capital, increased liquidity for potential acquisitions, expanded branding opportunities in the marketplace, reputational and consumer confidence gains, and on the process of transitioning from a private company to a public registrant. We also expect to be able to source potential targets from our team's contacts within private equity, with celebrities, with M&E investors, and with various industry leaders. Upon completion of this offering, each of our team members will communicate our acquisition criteria to their respective networks and immediately begin screening opportunities.
Consistent with this strategy, we have identified parameters and criteria that we think are important and relevant in evaluating prospective target businesses. We intend to apply these parameters in evaluating prospects, although we may ultimately decide to execute our initial business combination with a company that may not match all of our initial parameters:
• Growth Prospects: We intend to seek companies with high growth trajectories that are driven by competitive advantages that can be accelerated or magnified through a partnership with us and access to the public markets.
• Earnings Potential: We intend to acquire one or more businesses that have multiple and diverse potential drivers of revenue and earnings growth and that have the potential to generate strong and stable free cash flow.
• M&E Focus: We intend to prioritize entities within our team's core spheres of expertise and from among our team's networks, such as family entertainment, animation, gaming, music, and businesses which we believe have benefited from the global pandemic and subsequent evolution of media and AI.
• Public Advantages: We intend to seek target companies that are public market ready and whose leadership teams have the vision to take advantage of and appreciate the benefits of becoming a publicly-traded entity.
• Evolving Circumstance: We intend to seek companies which are capitalizing on industry shifts and trends created by various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the migration toward new global consumption patterns, and the proliferation of AI-based technologies.
• Valuations: We consider ourselves to be rigorous, disciplined and valuation-centric investors, with a keen understanding of market value and successful track record. We intend to seek companies with a respectable market share and growth potential in the segments in which they operate.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular initial business combination may be based, to the extent relevant, on these general guidelines, as well as other considerations, factors and criteria deemed relevant by our management in effecting our initial business combination consistent with our business objectives. In evaluating a prospective target business, we expect to conduct a due diligence review which may encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and employees, document reviews, interviews of customers and suppliers, inspections of facilities, as well as reviewing financial and other information which will be made available to us.
We are not prohibited from pursuing a business combination with a company that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors. In the event that we seek to complete a business combination with a business that is affiliated with our sponsor, officers or directors, we, or a committee of independent directors, will obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions that our business combination is fair to our shareholders from a financial point of view. In the event that we seek such a business combination, the independent members of our Board of Directors would be required to approve the transaction.
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Sources of Target Businesses
While we have not yet selected a target business with which to consummate our initial business combination, we believe based on our management's business knowledge and past experience that there are numerous potential candidates. We expect that our principal means of identifying potential target businesses will be through the extensive contacts and relationships of our initial shareholders, officers and directors. While our officers and directors are not required to commit any specific amount of time in identifying or performing due diligence on potential target businesses, our officers and directors believe that the relationships they have developed over their careers will generate a number of potential business combination opportunities that will warrant further investigation. We also anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings. These sources may also introduce us to target businesses they think we may be interested in on an unsolicited basis, since many of these sources will have read this prospectus and know what types of businesses we are targeting.
Our officers and directors must present to us all target business opportunities that have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (net of taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination, subject to any fiduciary or contractual obligations. While we do not presently anticipate engaging the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions on any formal basis, we may engage the services of professional firms or other individuals that specialize in business acquisitions, in which event we may pay a finder's fee, consulting fee or other compensation to be determined in an arm's length negotiation based on the terms of the transaction.
Our audit committee will review and approve all reimbursements and payments made to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or our or their respective affiliates, with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
We have no present intention to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or initial shareholders. However, we are not restricted from entering into any such transactions and may do so if (i) such transaction is approved by a majority of our disinterested independent directors and (ii) we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring of a Business Combination
Subject to our management team's fiduciary obligations and the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80% of the balance in the trust account (net of taxes payable) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, and that we must acquire a controlling interest in the target business, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective target business. We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses. In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors, including one or more of the following:
• financial condition and results of operation;
• growth potential;
• brand recognition and potential;
• experience and skill of management and availability of additional personnel;
• capital requirements;
• competitive position;
• barriers to entry;
• stage of development of the products, processes or services;
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• existing distribution and potential for expansion;
• degree of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes or services;
• proprietary aspects of our tangible and intangible assets and the extent of intellectual property or other protections for our products, formulas, brands or media;
• impact of regulation on the business;
• regulatory environment of the industry;
• costs associated with effecting the business combination;
• industry leadership, sustainability of market share and attractiveness of industries in which a target business participates; and
• macro competitive dynamics in the industry within which the company competes.
These criteria are not intended to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass, among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
The time and costs required to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
NASDAQ listing rules require that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the trust account (net of taxes payable) at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on NASDAQ for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% fair market value test.
We currently anticipate structuring a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure our initial business combination where we merge directly with the target business or a newly formed subsidiary or where we acquire less than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders or for other reasons, but we do not intend to complete such business combination unless the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our shareholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our shareholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% of trust account balance test.
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The fair market value of the target will be determined by our Board of Directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community (such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). The proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents used by us in connection with any proposed transaction will provide public shareholders with our analysis of the fair market value of the target business, as well as the basis for our determinations. If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our Board of Directors independently determines that the target business complies with the 80% threshold.
Lack of Business Diversification
We may seek to effect a business combination with more than one target business, although we expect to complete our business combination with just one business. Therefore, at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation. Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may:
• subject us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and
• result in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes or services.
If we determine to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies in a single operating business.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business' Management
Although we intend to scrutinize the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure you that our assessment of the target business' management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the management team will have the necessary skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty. While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following a business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full-time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination. Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
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Following a business combination, we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills, knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Shareholders May Not Have the Ability to Approve an Initial Business Combination
In connection with any proposed business combination we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial business combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the business combination or (ii) without a shareholder vote by means of a tender offer. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. The decision as to whether we will seek shareholder approval of a proposed business combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by us, solely in our discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would require us to seek shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange listing requirement. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Accordingly, if we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination, the agreement by our initial shareholders and management team to vote in favor of our initial business combination will increase the likelihood that an ordinary resolution will be passed, being the requisite shareholder approval for such initial business combination. We have no specified maximum percentage threshold for redemptions in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and even those public shareholders who vote in favor of our initial business combination have the right to redeem their public shares. As a result, this may make it easier for us to consummate our initial business combination.
If we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial business combination, this may force us to seek third party financing which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public shareholders may therefore have to wait 24 months from the closing of this offering in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any ordinary shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (2) not to redeem any ordinary shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (3) not sell any ordinary shares in any tender in connection with a proposed initial business combination.
None of our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates has indicated any intention to purchase units or ordinary shares in this offering or from persons in the open market or in private transactions. However, if we hold a meeting to approve a proposed business combination and a significant number of shareholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed business combination or that they wish to redeem their shares, our officers, directors, initial shareholders or their affiliates could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to reduce the number of redemptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, initial shareholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of ordinary shares if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed to stop potential manipulation of a company's shares.
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Redemption Rights
At any meeting called to approve an initial business combination, public shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less any taxes then due but not yet paid. Alternatively, we may provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to sell their ordinary shares to us through a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, less any taxes then due but not yet paid.
Our initial shareholders and our officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any ordinary shares owned by them, directly or indirectly, whether acquired prior to this offering or purchased by them in this offering or in the aftermarket.
Any proxy solicitation materials we furnish to shareholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring shareholders to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a shareholder would have from the time the shareholder received our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his or her shares if he or she wishes to seek to exercise his redemption rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in "street name," in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System, we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this fact. Please see the risk factor titled "In connection with any shareholder meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require shareholders who wish to redeem their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for redemption that may make it more difficult for them to exercise their redemption rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights" for further information on the risks of failing to comply with these requirements.
Any request to redeem such shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination or the expiration of the tender offer. Furthermore, if a holder of public shares delivered his or her certificate in connection with an election of their redemption and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date not to elect to exercise such rights, he or she may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public shareholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights would not be entitled to redeem their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any shares delivered by public holders.
Liquidation if No Business Combination
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that we will have only 24 months from the closing of this offering to complete an initial business combination. If we have not completed an initial business combination by such date and shareholders have not otherwise amended our articles of association to extend this date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), redeem 100% of the issued and outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us but net of $175,000 for additional working capital and taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest income that may be released to us for liquidation expenses, divided by the number of then issued and outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders' rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Our initial shareholders, officers and directors have agreed that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect our public shareholders' ability to redeem or sell their shares to us in connection with a business combination as described herein or affect the substance or
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timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering unless we provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their ordinary shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest not previously released to us but net of franchise and income taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our initial shareholders, executive officers, directors or any other person.
We are required to seek to have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities we engage after this offering) and any prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result, the claims that could be made against us will be limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds in the trust account to our public shareholders. Nevertheless, MaloneBailey, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the underwriters of the offering, will not execute agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that other vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if they execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, an entity affiliated with Mr. Bengochea, has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per share by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us, but we cannot assure you that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. We have not independently verified whether IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations, we have not asked it to reserve for such obligations and we do not believe it has any significant liquid assets. Accordingly, we believe it is unlikely that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do so. Additionally, the agreement IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC entered into specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity given: it will have no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a target business or vendor or other entity who has executed an agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account, or (2) as to any claims for indemnification by the underwriters of this offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-share distribution from the trust account could be less than $10.00 due to claims or potential claims of creditors.
We anticipate notifying the trustee of the trust account to begin liquidating such assets promptly after our 24 month anniversary (or up to 30 months, if we extend the time to complete a business combination as described in this prospectus) and anticipate it will take no more than 10 business days to effectuate such distribution. The holders of the founders shares have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to such shares. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our rights, which will expire worthless. We will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from our remaining assets outside of the trust account. If such funds are insufficient, we will use the $175,000 for additional working capital and up to $100,000 of interest earned on the funds held in the trust account that may be released to us for our liquidation expenses.
If we are unable to complete an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of this offering, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account, and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, or any increase as a result of our extending the time to consummate a business combination as described herein, the initial per-share redemption price would be $10.00. As discussed above, the proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of public shareholders.
Our public shareholders shall be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our failure to complete a business combination within the required time period, if the shareholders seek to have us redeem or purchase their respective shares upon a business combination which is actually completed by us or upon certain amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association prior to consummating an initial business combination. In no other circumstances shall a shareholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
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If we are forced to file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law, and may be included in our bankruptcy or insolvency estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of our shareholders. To the extent any bankruptcy or insolvency claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you we will be able to return to our public shareholders at least $10.00 per share.
If we are forced to file a bankruptcy or winding-up petition or an involuntary bankruptcy or winding-up petition is filed against us which is not dismissed, any distributions received by shareholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy/insolvency laws as either a "preferential transfer" or a "fraudulent conveyance, preference or disposition." As a result, a liquidator or bankruptcy or insolvency or other court could seek to recover some or all amounts received by our shareholders. Furthermore, because we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public shareholders promptly by the Deadline or the end of any Extension, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public shareholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from our assets. Furthermore, our Board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public shareholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contains certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the consummation of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without the approval of a majority of our shareholders. If we seek to amend any provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that would affect our public shareholders' ability to redeem or sell their shares to us as described herein or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will provide public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares in connection with any such vote. This redemption right shall apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by any executive officer, director, initial shareholder, or any other person. Our initial shareholders, officers and directors have agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any founders shares, private shares and any public shares they may hold in connection with any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, among other things, that:
• we shall either (1) seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which shareholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or don't vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), or (2) provide our shareholders with the opportunity to sell their shares to us by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a shareholder vote) for an amount equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), in each case subject to the limitations described herein and in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association;
• we will consummate our initial business combination only if a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares voted are voted in favor of the business combination;
• if our initial business combination is not consummated by the Deadline or end of any Extension, then we will redeem all of the outstanding public shares and thereafter liquidate and dissolve our company;
• upon the consummation of this offering, $200,000,000, or $230,000,000 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, shall be placed into the trust account;
• we may not consummate any other business combination, merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar transaction prior to our initial business combination; and
• prior to our initial business combination, we may not issue additional stock that participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or that votes as a class with the ordinary shares sold in this offering on an initial business combination.
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Competition
In identifying, evaluating and selecting a target business, we may encounter intense competition from other entities having a business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than us and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.
The following also may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses:
• our obligation to seek shareholder approval of a business combination or engage in a tender offer may delay the completion of a transaction;
• our obligation to redeem or repurchase ordinary shares held by our public shareholders may reduce the resources available to us for a business combination; and
• our rights to one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination included within our units, and the potential future dilution they represent.
Any of these factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination. Our management believes, however, that our status as a public entity and potential access to the United States public equity markets may give us a competitive advantage over privately held entities having a similar business objective as ours in acquiring a target business with significant growth potential on favorable terms.
If we succeed in effecting a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business, including from companies that may be subject to less stringent disclosure and other securities law requirements as the surviving company in our business combination and that therefore may have a competitive advantage. We cannot assure you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We currently maintain our principal executive offices at 851 Broken Sound Parkway Nw Boca Raton, FL 33487. Our sponsor will provide us the use of this office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost. We consider this office space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have two executive officers. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters and intend to devote only as much time as they deem necessary to our affairs. The amount of time they will devote in any time period will vary based on whether a target business has been selected for the business combination and the stage of the business combination process the company is in. Accordingly, once a suitable target business has been located, management may spend more time investigating such target business and negotiating and processing the business combination (and consequently spend more time on our affairs) than had been spent prior to locating a suitable target business. We presently expect our executive officers to devote such amount of time as they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements
We have registered our units, ordinary shares and rights under the Exchange Act and have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, our annual report will contain financial statements audited and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
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We will provide shareholders with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of any proxy solicitation materials or tender offer documents sent to shareholders to assist them in assessing the target business. These financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with or reconciled to United States generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board. We cannot assure you that any particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have the necessary financial statements. To the extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business.
We may be required to have our internal control procedures audited for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. A target company may not be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary to complete any such acquisition.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company. Exempted companies are Cayman Islands companies conducting business mainly outside the Cayman Islands and, as such, are exempted from complying with certain provisions of the Companies Act. As an exempted company, we have applied for and received a tax exemption undertaking from the Cayman Islands government that, in accordance with Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, for a period of 30 years from the date of the undertaking, no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations will apply to us or our operations and, in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable (i) on or in respect of our shares, debentures or other obligations or (ii) by way of the withholding in whole or in part of a payment of dividends or other distribution of income or capital by us to our shareholders or a payment of principal or interest or other sums due under a debenture or other obligation of us. We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies" including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities and the prices of our securities may be more volatile.
Legal Proceedings
There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any members of our management team in their capacity as such, and we and the members of our management team have not been subject to any such proceeding in the 24 months preceding the date of this prospectus.
However, During the course of their careers, members of our management team and board of directors and advisors have had significant experience as founders, board members, officers, executives or employees of other companies. Certain of those persons have been, are currently or may in the future become involved in litigation, investigations or other proceedings, including relating to the business affairs of such companies, transactions entered into by such companies, or otherwise.
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Comparison to Offerings of Blank Check Companies Subject to Rule 419
The following table compares and contrasts the terms of our offering and the terms of an offering of blank check companies under Rule 419 promulgated by the SEC assuming that the gross proceeds, underwriting discounts and underwriting expenses for the Rule 419 offering are the same as this offering and that the underwriters will not exercise their over-allotment option. None of the terms of a Rule 419 offering will apply to this offering because we will have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000 upon the successful consummation of this offering and will file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact.
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Terms of the Offering |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
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Escrow of offering proceeds |
$200,000,000 of the proceeds from this offering and the sale of the private units will be placed in a U.S.-based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. |
$168,300,000 of the offering proceeds would be required to be deposited into either an escrow account with an insured depositary institution or in a separate bank account established by a broker-dealer in which the broker-dealer acts as trustee for persons having the beneficial interests in the account. |
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Investment of net proceeds |
The $200,000,000 of the proceeds of this offering and the sale of the private units held in trust will, if such proceeds are invested at all, only be invested in United States "government securities" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. |
Proceeds could be invested only in specified securities such as a money market fund meeting conditions of the Investment Company Act or in securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal or interest by, the United States. |
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Limitation on fair value or net assets of target business |
Our initial business combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable) at the time of the agreement to enter into the initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on NASDAQ for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% fair market value test. |
We would be restricted from acquiring a target business unless the fair value of such business or net assets to be acquired represent at least 80% of the maximum offering proceeds. |
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Terms of the Offering |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
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Trading of securities issued |
The units may commence trading on or promptly after the date of this prospectus. The ordinary shares and rights comprising the units will begin to trade separately on the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus unless Cantor informs us of its decision to allow earlier separate trading, provided we have filed with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K, which includes an audited balance sheet reflecting our receipt of the proceeds of this offering, including any proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if such option is exercised prior to the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K. If the over-allotment option is exercised after the initial filing of such Current Report on Form 8-K, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise and consummation of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, an amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K, information indicating if Cantor has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and rights prior to the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus. The distributable right will be distributed upon successful completion of our initial business combination. |
No trading of the units or the underlying ordinary shares and rights would be permitted until the completion of a business combination. During this period, the securities would be held in the escrow or trust account. |
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Election to remain an investor |
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares, regardless of whether they abstain, vote for, or vote against, our initial business combination, for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. We may not be required by law to hold a shareholder vote. If we are not required by law and do not otherwise decide to hold a shareholder vote, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions |
A prospectus containing information required by the SEC would be sent to each investor. Each investor would be given the opportunity to notify the company, in writing, within a period of no less than 20 business days and no more than 45 business days from the effective date of the post-effective amendment, to decide whether he or she elects to remain a shareholder of the company or require the return of his or her investment. If the company has not received the notification by The end of the 45th business day, funds and interest or dividends, if any, held in the trust or escrow account would automatically be returned to the shareholder. Unless a sufficient number of investors elect to remain investors, all of the deposited funds in the escrow account must be returned to all investors and none of the securities will be issued. |
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Terms of the Offering |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
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pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC and file tender offer documents with the SEC which will contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC's proxy rules. If, however, we hold a shareholder vote, we will, like many blank check companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or vote against the proposed transaction, or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. |
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Terms of the Offering |
Terms Under a Rule 419 Offering |
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Business combination deadline |
Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we are unable to complete our initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), redeem 100% of the issued and outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not released to us but net of taxes payable, 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), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our Board of Directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. |
If an acquisition has not been consummated within 24 months after the effective date of the initial registration statement, funds held in the trust or escrow account would be returned to investors. |
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|
Interest earned on the funds in the trust account |
There can be released to us, from time to time, any interest earned on the funds in the trust account that we may need to pay our tax obligations (excluding taxes payable pursuant to the IR Act). The remaining interest earned on the funds in the trust account will not be released until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time (in which case up to $100,000 of interest may be used for liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital). |
All interest earned on the funds in the trust account will be held in trust for the benefit of public shareholders until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
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|
Release of funds |
Except for any interest earned on the funds in the trust account released to us for our tax obligations as described above, the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released to us until the earlier of the completion of a business combination and our liquidation upon failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
The proceeds held in the escrow account would not be released to the company until the earlier of the completion of a business combination or the failure to effect a business combination within the allotted time. |
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MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
Our current directors and executive officers are as follows:
|
Name |
Age |
Title |
||
|
Jose Antonio Bengochea |
34 |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
||
|
William Caragol |
58 |
Chief Financial Officer and Director |
||
|
Tarron Hecox |
34 |
Lead Independent Director Nominee |
||
|
Melissa Escobar |
56 |
Independent Director Nominee |
||
|
Daniel Becker |
34 |
Independent Director Nominee |
Jose Antonio Bengochea is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bengochea has served as the Chief Executive Officer of and a director of Iron Horse I since November 2021, and has served as the managing member of Bengochea SPAC Sponsor I LLC, the sponsor of Iron Horse I since November 2021. Mr. Bengochea is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bengochea Capital LLC ("Bengochea Capital"), an investment firm founded in 2020 to pursue frontier asset classes and, through Mr. Bengochea's network of connections to various M&E industry executives and celebrities, to examine global opportunities in media and entertainment. Bengochea Capital has been a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the 2023 Grammy Awards; is currently a registered media entity with the Recording Academy for the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards; has been present at the Cannes Film Festival, among other prestigious events; and has access to several animation, family, and IP potential deal-flow, with a growing number of business touchpoints across Asia. Prior to founding Bengochea Capital, Mr. Bengochea was a part of Sony's Global Business Development team in Los Angeles and, prior to that, served as a corporate attorney at the law firm of Jenner & Block in New York City. Mr. Bengochea holds an A.B. summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he designed his own degree, entitled Comparative Imperial History, and graduated with a secondary specialization in Archaeology. Mr. Bengochea also holds a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
We believe that Mr. Bengochea will be an excellent candidate to serve as an officer of the Company due to his extensive M&E experience, having taken a SPAC from IPO to business combination in addition to his strong academic credentials.
William Caragol is our Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company. Mr. Caragol has served as the Chief Financial Officer (since December 2024) and Chief Operating Officer of Iron Horse I since December 2023. Mr. Caragol has over thirty years of experience working with growth stage companies. In 2018, he founded and is the Managing Director of Quidem LLC, a corporate strategic and financial advisory firm. Since July 2021 he has been the Chief Financial Officer of Mainz Biomed N.V. (NASDAQ: MYNZ), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer. Since July 2021, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of Worksport Ltd. (NASDAQ: WKSP), a growth stage technology company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. Since July 2023, Mr. Caragol has served on the Board of Directors of DeFi Development Corp. (NASDAQ: DFDV), a real-estate software firm and Solana-focused treasury company, and sits on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee. From 2021 to 2023, Mr. Caragol served on the Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Audit Committee of Greenbox POS (NASDAQ: GBOX) a financial technology company leveraging proprietary blockchain security to build customized payment solutions. Mr. Caragol earned a B.S. in business administration and accounting from Washington & Lee University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
We believe that Mr. Caragol will be an excellent candidate to serve as an officer and director of the Company due to his extensive financial experience including the most recent role as CFO and COO of Iron Horse I from inception as a SPAC through its business combination.
Tarron Hecox will serve as our lead independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Hecox has ample public markets and operational experience. Since 2019, he has held various commercial roles at AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a Fortune 500 company. Previously, Mr. Hecox worked with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, William Blair & Company, and Parnassus Investments, and he also formerly co-founded Spartan Capital L.L.C. in 2017, a private fund formed to pursue technology opportunities. Mr. Hecox is also well versed in SPACs and entertainment through the private fund he co-founded in 2014, Limitless Strategies, LLC, which focuses on
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creating value through public and private investments in media, entertainment, and AI. Mr. Hecox received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2016; an undergraduate degree with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied economics, finance, and accounting; a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and has held a CPA designation. We believe that Mr. Hecox's strong history of public markets experience, and his extensive experiences with corporate ventures, makes him an excellent candidate to serve as a director of the Company.
Ms. Melissa de Assis Escobar will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Ms. Escobar is an especially prominent global figure in entertainment, having been recognized as a pioneer in the development of Hispanic content and global talent. She co-founded Latin World Entertainment alongside actress Sofia Vergara and Luis Balaguer in 1994, and together leads Latin World Entertainment's growth into a multicultural entertainment leader specializing in series, documentaries, films, and brand marketing, with an audience of over 900 million global followers through its network. Under Ms. Escobar's leadership, Latin World Entertainment has won critical acclaim, having produced works such as Griselda for Netflix and Maradona: Sueño Bendito for Amazon Prime. In all, she has over 30 years of entertainment experience, having worked with top-tier companies such as Telemundo, Univision, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube/Google, Disney Buenavista, ABC and HBO Latino. Her team has marketed over 1,000 major Hollywood studio films to Hispanics, and promoted premier Spanish-language music tours for the largest live entertainment companies in the USA. We believe that Ms. Escobar will be an excellent candidate to serve as a director of the Company due to her prominence in the M&E industry and extensive global network.
Daniel Becker will serve as an independent director of the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Becker is an expert in AI machine learning, emerging technologies, and in the interplay between new technologies and consumerism, with particular strategic expertise and networks in AI infrastructure, data systems, and CPG businesses. Since December 2024, Mr. Becker has served as a Data Engineer at Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) where, from Miami, he leads an international team overseeing finance, data, and analytics across several of their investments, including the Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Burger King franchises worldwide. Prior to Restaurant Brands, from August 2023 through November 2024, Mr. Becker worked at Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN, "Lennar"), building AI-driven software pilots for its Emerging Technology group, in addition to evaluating new technologies and other investment opportunities. Mr. Becker has also worked with several Fortune 100 clients across several industries, including finance/MBS, ad-tech and media, retail, manufacturing, and more, during his prior tenures as a freelance consultant from July 2020 until July 2023. Mr. Becker served as consultant to Iron Horse I from 2024 to the present. Mr. Becker graduated from Princeton University in 2013 where he holds a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a focus on computer vision and autonomous systems. We believe that Mr. Becker will be an excellent candidate to serve as a director of the Company due to his knowledge in ad-tech, retail and media, in addition to his investment advisory expertise.
Strategic Advisors
We expect that our Strategic Advisors will assist our management team in search of suitable acquisition targets following the consummation of this offering. However, they have no written advisory agreement with us. Although all three Strategic Advisors were independent directors of Iron Horse I, they are not board members of this current company, have no fiduciary obligations to us, will not perform board or committee functions and will not have any voting or decision-making power. Accordingly, if any of our advisors becomes aware of a business combination which is suitable for any of the entities to which he has fiduciary or contractual obligations (including other blank check companies), he will honor his fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such entity, and only present it to us if such entity rejects the opportunity. Nonetheless, we believe them to be powerful assets whose networks, experiences, and accolades make them value-enhancing additions to our team. They are as follows:
Ken Hertz will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus, and has been serving since December 2023 as an Iron Horse I independent director and Chairman of Iron Horse I's Executive Committee. Mr. Hertz is currently a director for JUST GOODS and has served as a Senior Partner in the Los Angeles law firm of Hertz Lichtenstein Young & Polk LLP since 2007. Mr. Hertz and his partners specialize in representing talent, senior executives, entrepreneurs, agencies, and brands in entertainment, fashion, sports, media, and technology industries. Prior to forming the firm, Mr. Hertz had been a partner in Hansen Jacobson & Teller, since 1989. Before that, he was global head of music - business and legal affairs - for The Walt Disney Company. He is also a principal in memBrain - an entertainment marketing and strategy consulting
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firm that advises a number of C-Suite executives on their company's entertainment related marketing strategies. memBrain has worked with Intel, McDonald's, Hasbro, MillerCoors, Li & Fung and Logitech. Mr. Hertz has also been an active early-stage venture investor and advisor since 1997 and is a frequent speaker and commentator on the subjects of entertainment, marketing and convergence. He is often quoted in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal, has appeared on CNBC's monthly newsmagazine "Business Nation," has been an instructor at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, Marshall School of Business, Stanford Business School, and an adjunct professor of law at USC. He graduated UCLA with a J.D. in 1984 and U.C. Berkeley in 1981 with a B.S.
Brian Turner will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company from the date of this prospectus. Mr. Turner has been serving since December 2023 as the Chairman of the board of directors of Iron Horse I and was formerly Chair of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space. He has served on numerous public and private companies boards of directors as well. Mr. Turner was the Chief Financial Officer of Coinstar Inc. from 2003 until June 2009. Prior to Coinstar, from 2001 to 2003, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Real Networks, Inc., a digital media and technology company. Prior to Real Networks, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Turner was employed by Bsquare Corp., a software company, where he initially served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary, before being promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Turner was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration of Radisys Corp., an embedded software company. Mr. Turner's experience also includes 13 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he held several positions including Director of Corporate Finance. Mr. Turner was formerly Chairman of the Board of Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a public company in the lidar space, and is now Chair of the Audit Committee for MVIS. Mr. Turner has also been a director for several private companies. Mr. Turner holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington.
Scott Morris, will serve as a strategic advisor to the Company. Mr. Morris was an Iron Horse I independent director and has been Chairman of Avista (NYSE: AVA) since 2008. Mr. Morris started his career at AVA in 1981. From 2008 to 2019, he served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and served as Avista's President from 2008 to 2018. Prior to that, Mr. Morris was also the company's Chief Operating Officer. His experiences include management positions in multiple industries, including construction, customer service, and utilities. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University and received his master's degree from Gonzaga University in organizational leadership. He also attended the Stanford Business School Financial Management Program and the Kidder Peabody School of Financial Management. Mr. Morris serves on the boards of McKinstry Inc. and California Water Service. He is also on the Board of Trustees of Gonzaga University. He has served on a number of Spokane nonprofit and economic development Boards.
Executive Compensation
No executive officer has received any cash compensation for services rendered to us. Our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost. Our sponsor, officers and directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination. They may also receive repayment for any loans made by them to us for working capital needs or extending our time to consummate an initial business combination.
No other compensation of any kind, including any finder's fee, reimbursement, consulting fee or monies in respect of any payment of a loan, will be paid by us to our sponsor, officers and directors, or any affiliate of our sponsor or officers, prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is).
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to our shareholders. However, the amount of such compensation may not be known at the time of the shareholder meeting held to consider an initial business
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combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K or a periodic report, as required by the SEC.
Director Independence
Currently Tarron Hecox, Melissa Escobar, and Daniel Becker would each be considered an "independent director" under NASDAQ listing rules, which is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which, in the opinion of the company's board of directors would interfere with the director's exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Any affiliated transactions will be on terms no less favorable to us than could be obtained from independent parties. Our Board of Directors will review and approve all affiliated transactions with any interested director abstaining from such review and approval.
Audit Committee
Effective upon the date of this prospectus, we will have established an audit committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Tarron Hecox, Daniel Becker, and Melissa Escobar, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ's listing standards. Tarron Hecox will serve as chair of the audit committee. The audit committee's duties, which are specified in our Audit Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:
• reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;
• discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;
• discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
• monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;
• verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;
• reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;
• inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;
• appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
• determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;
• establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and
• approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.
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Financial Experts on Audit Committee
The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of "independent directors" who are "financially literate" as defined under NASDAQ's listing standards. NASDAQ's standards define "financially literate" as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
In addition, we must certify to NASDAQ that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual's financial sophistication. The Board of Directors has determined that Tarron Hecox qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert," as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Effective upon the date of this prospectus, we will have established a nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors. The members of our nominating and corporate governance will be Tarron Hecox, Daniel Becker, and Melissa Escobar. Tarron Hecox will serve as chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
The primary purposes of our nominating and corporate governance committee will be to assist the board in:
• identifying, screening and reviewing individuals qualified to serve as directors and recommending to the board of directors candidates for nomination for election at the annual meeting of shareholders or to fill vacancies on the board of directors;
• developing, recommending to the board of directors and overseeing implementation of our corporate governance guidelines;
• coordinating and overseeing the annual self-evaluation of the board of directors, its committees, individual directors and management in the governance of the company; and
• reviewing on a regular basis our overall corporate governance and recommending improvements as and when necessary.
The nominating and corporate governance committee will be governed by a charter that complies with the rules of NASDAQ.
Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter, generally provide that person to be nominated:
• should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
• should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and
• should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person's candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.
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Compensation Committee
Effective upon the date of this prospectus, we will have established a compensation committee of the board of directors, which will consist of Tarron Hecox, Daniel Becker, and Melissa Escobar, each of whom is an independent director under NASDAQ's listing standards. Melissa Escobar will serve as chair of the compensation committee. The compensation committee's duties, which are specified in our Compensation Committee Charter, include, but are not limited to:
• reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our Chief Executive Officer's compensation, evaluating our Chief Executive Officer's performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of our Chief Executive Officer based on such evaluation;
• reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;
• reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
• implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
• assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
• approving all special perquisites, special cash payments and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
• if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
• reviewing, evaluating and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
Code of Ethics
Effective upon the date of this prospectus, we adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of ethics will codify the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business.
Conflicts of Interest
Under Cayman Islands law, directors and officers owe the following fiduciary duties:
• duty to act in good faith in what the director or officer believes to be in the best interests of the company as a whole;
• duty to exercise powers for the purposes for which those powers were conferred and not for a collateral purpose;
• duty to not improperly fetter the exercise of future discretion;
• duty to exercise authority for the purpose for which it is conferred and a duty to exercise powers fairly as between different sections of shareholders;
• duty not to put themselves in a position in which there is a conflict between their duty to the company and their personal interests; and
• duty to exercise independent judgment.
In addition to the above, directors also owe a duty of care which is not fiduciary in nature. This duty has been defined as a requirement to act as a reasonably diligent person having both the general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and the general knowledge, skill and experience of that director.
As set out above, directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position of conflict and this includes a duty not to engage in self-dealing, or to otherwise benefit as a result of their position at the expense of the company. However, in some instances what would otherwise be a breach of this duty can be forgiven and/or authorized in advance by the
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shareholders provided that there is full disclosure by the directors. This can be done by way of permission granted in the memorandum and articles of association or alternatively by shareholder approval at general meetings. Each of our officers and directors presently has, and any of them in the future may have additional, fiduciary, contractual or other obligations or duties to one or more other entities pursuant to which such officer or director is or will be required to present a business combination opportunity to such entities. Accordingly, if any of our officers or directors becomes aware of a business combination opportunity which is suitable for an entity to which he or she has then current fiduciary or contractual obligations, he or she will honor his or her fiduciary or contractual obligations to present such business combination opportunity to such other entity, subject to their fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (i) no individual serving as a director or an officer, among other persons, shall have any duty, except and to the extent expressly assumed by contract, to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us, and (ii) we renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any potential transaction or matter which (a) may be a corporate opportunity for any director or officer, on the one hand, and us, on the other or (b) the presentation of which would breach an existing legal obligation of a director or officer to any other entity. However, because the other entities to which our officers and directors currently owe fiduciary duties or contractual obligations are not themselves in the business of engaging in business combinations, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination.
The following table summarizes the pre-existing fiduciary or contractual obligations of our officers and directors:
|
Name of Individual(s) |
Name of Affiliated Company |
Position at Affiliated Company |
||
|
Jose Antonio Bengochea |
Bengochea Capital, LLC IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC Iron Horse I |
CEO Founder Managing Member CEO, Director |
||
|
William J. Caragol, Jr |
Quidem LLC Mainz Biomed N.V. DeFi Development Corp. Worksport Ltd. Iron Horse I |
Managing Director CFO Director Director CFO and COO |
||
|
Melissa Escobar |
Latin World Entertainment |
Co-Founder |
||
|
Daniel Becker |
Restaurant Brands International |
Data Engineer |
||
|
Tarron Hecox |
AGCO Corporation Limitless Strategies LLC |
Employee Co-Founder |
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, actual fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that our officers and directors will be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We expect to purchase a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our officers and directors have agreed, and any persons who may become officers or directors prior to the initial business combination will agree, to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever. Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
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Our indemnification obligations may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our officers or directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder's investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against our officers and directors pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
While the foregoing may limit the pool of potential business combination candidates, we do not believe that this limitation will be material.
Prior SPAC Experience
Iron Horse Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: "IROH" and referred to herein as "Iron Horse I") Mr. Bengochea, our CEO, founded Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp., a SPAC formed for substantially similar purposes as our Company. Several members of our management team and advisors served as an officer or director of Iron Horse I, a special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Bengochea, our CEO served as the CEO of and a director of Iron Horse I, and Mr. Caragol, our CFO, and, alongside Mr. Bengochea, the co-Founder of Iron Horse II, served as both CFO and COO of Iron Horse I. Mr. Hertz, Mr. Turner and Mr. Morris, our financial advisors, all serve as the independent directors on the board of directors of Iron Horse I. Iron Horse I closed its IPO on December 29, 2023 after its registration statement was declared effective on December 27, 2023. In September 2024, Iron Horse I entered into a business combination agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement"), dated as of September 27, 2024, with Rosey Sea Holdings Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands ("Seller") and the owner of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Zhong Guo Liang Tou Group Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the "Target"). At a special meeting of stockholders held on June 25, 2025, the stockholders approved a resolution to allow the Company to extend the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination up to twelve (12) times, each such extension for an additional one (1) month period, until June 29, 2026 (the "Extension Special Meeting"). On June 20, 2025, at another special meeting, the stockholders approved the business combination ("Business Combination Special Meeting"). As of June 30, 2025, an aggregate of 6,477,975 shares of Common Stock were redeemed at a redemption price of $10.60 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $68.65 million. In connection with the stockholders' vote at the Business Combination Special Meeting, an additional 223,374 shares were tendered for redemption at a price of $10.80 per share for a total redemption of 97% of public shares . On September 30, 2025, the company announced the completion of the business combination with Rosey Sea Holdings Limited. The combined company now operates under the name CN Healthy Food Tech Group Corp. and began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "UCFI" and "UCFIW" on October 1, 2025 for the ordinary shares and warrants respectively. The price of the shares on October 3, 2025 was $5.51.
Investors should also be aware of the following additional potential conflicts of interest:
• None of our officers and directors is required to commit their full time to our affairs and, accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in allocating their time among various business activities.
• Unless we consummate our initial business combination, our officers, directors and initial shareholders will not receive reimbursement or repayment for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them, or loans made to us, to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account.
• The Founders Shares beneficially owned by our initial shareholders, and the private units purchased by our initial shareholders, and any units which our officers or directors may purchase in the aftermarket will expire worthless if a business combination is not consummated. This is because our officers and directors and affiliates will not receive liquidation distributions from the trust account with respect to any of the Founders Shares or private units.
For the foregoing reasons, our Board may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate to effect a business combination with.
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To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or initial shareholders unless we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. We will also need to obtain the approval of a majority of our disinterested independent directors. Furthermore, in no event will any of our initial shareholders, members of our management team or their respective affiliates be paid any compensation prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of an initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is) other than repayment of the $300,000 loan from our sponsor and reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses. Our sponsor will also provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost.
In addition, our sponsor and our officers and directors may sponsor or form other special purpose acquisition companies similar to ours or may pursue other business or investment ventures during the period in which we are seeking an initial business combination. As a result, our sponsor, officers and directors could have conflicts of interest in determining whether to present business combination opportunities to us or to any other special purpose acquisition company with which they may become involved. Any such companies, businesses or investments may present additional conflicts of interest in pursuing an initial business combination target. However, based on the fact that there may be substantial overlap between any such companies, businesses or investments that would be a suitable business combination for us, and because we may consummate a business combination with a target in a broad array of industries, we do not believe that any such potential conflicts would materially affect our ability to complete our initial business combination. Potential investors should also be aware of the following other potential conflicts of interest:
• Our officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and our search for a business combination and their other businesses. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion of our initial business combination. Each of our officers is engaged in several other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our officers are not obligated to contribute any specific number of hours per week to our affairs.
• Our initial shareholders purchased founder shares prior to the date of this prospectus and will purchase private units in a transaction that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their founder shares, private shares and public shares in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Additionally, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. If we do not complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame, the private units will be worthless. Furthermore, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of their founder shares and any ordinary shares issuable upon exercise thereof until the earlier to occur of: (i) six months after the completion of our initial business combination or (ii) the date following the completion of our initial business combination on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing price of our 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 after our initial business combination, the founder shares will be released from the lockup. The private units (including the shares issuable upon exercise of the private units) will not be transferable until 30 days following the completion of our initial business combination. Because each of our officers and director nominees will own shares or rights directly or indirectly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination.
Our sponsor and members of our management team will directly or indirectly own our securities following this offering, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination, including the fact that they may lose their entire investment in us if our initial business combination is not completed,
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except to the extent they receive liquidating distributions from assets outside the trust account. Upon the closing of this offering, our sponsor will have invested in us an aggregate of $3,732,000, comprised of the $32,000 purchase price for the founder shares (or approximately $0.0056 per share) and the $3,700,000 purchase price for the private units (or $10.00 per private unit). Accordingly, our management team may be more willing to pursue a business combination with a riskier or less-established target business than would be the case if our sponsor had paid the same per share price for the founder shares as our public shareholders paid for their public shares, as our sponsor and members of our management team would likely not receive any financial benefit unless we consummated such business combination. These interests of our executive officers and directors may affect the consideration paid, terms, conditions and timing relating to a business combination in a way that conflicts with the interests of our public shareholders.
• Certain members of our management team may receive compensation upon consummation of our initial business combination, and accordingly, they may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such compensation will not be received unless we consummate such business combination.
• Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
• In the event our sponsor or members of our management team provide loans to us to finance transaction costs and/or incur expenses on our behalf in connection with an initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as such loans may not be repaid and/or such expenses may not be reimbursed unless we consummate such business combination.
• Similarly, if we agree to pay our sponsor, or a member of our management team or one of their affiliates a finder's fee, advisory fee, consulting fee or success fee in order to effectuate the completion of our initial business combination, such persons may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate our initial business combination as any such fee may not be paid unless we consummate such business combination, which, if made prior to the completion of our initial business combination, will be paid from permitted withdrawals.
Assuming no liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction takes place, lock-ups on securities owned by our initial shareholder would expire as follows:
|
Founder Shares |
Private Units |
|
|
6 months after the completion of our initial business combination |
30 days after the completion of our initial business combination |
|
|
Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, which we refer to as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock sub-divisions, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, the founder shares will be released from the lock-up. |
Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, which we refer to as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our 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 after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, the securities included in the private units will be released from the lock-up. |
• Our officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to evaluating a particular business combination if the retention or resignation of any such officers and directors was included by a target business as a condition to any agreement with respect to our initial business combination.
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus and as adjusted to reflect the sale of our ordinary shares included in the units offered by this prospectus (assuming none of the individuals listed purchase units in this offering), by:
• each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares;
• each of our officers and directors; and
• all of our officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of the rights included in the units offered by this prospectus or the private units as they will not be issued within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.
|
Prior to Offering |
After Offering(2) |
|||||||||
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and |
Approximate |
Amount and |
Approximate |
||||||
|
IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC(1) |
5,750,000 |
100 |
% |
5,370,000 |
21.0 |
% |
||||
|
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. |
200,000 |
0.01 |
% |
|||||||
|
5,570,000 |
||||||||||
____________
* Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following is c/o IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC. Mr. Bengochea is the managing member, and has dispositive voting rights on the ordinary shares held at _____________.
(2) Interests shown consist of founder shares and ordinary shares included in the private units, without the exercise of the over-allotment option.
Immediately after this offering, our initial shareholders will beneficially own approximately 20% of the then issued and outstanding ordinary shares (assuming they do not purchase any units offered by this prospectus and not including the private units or any component securities). None of our officers, directors and initial shareholders has indicated to us that it or they intend to purchase our securities in the offering. Because of the ownership block held by our officers, directors and initial shareholders, such individuals may be able to effectively exercise influence over all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions other than approval of our initial business combination.
If the underwriters do not exercise all or a portion of the over-allotment option, an aggregate of 750,000 founders shares will be forfeited. Only a number of shares necessary to maintain the 20% ownership interest in our ordinary shares after giving effect to the offering and the exercise, if any, of the underwriters' over-allotment option (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering) will be necessary.
All of the founders shares have transfer restrictions until the earlier of 180 days after the date of the consummation of our initial business combination, or earlier if, subsequent to our initial business combination, we consummate a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property. Up to 750,000 of the Founders Shares may be forfeited if the over-allotment option is not exercised in full as described above.
The holders of these shares will not be able transfer, assign or sell any founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) 180 days after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units").
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Our sponsor, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC and Cantor, and/or their respective designees will purchase from us an aggregate of 570,000 private units (for a total purchase price of $5,700,000) from us. These purchases will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. The private units are identical to the public units sold in this offering. The initial purchasers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units and underlying securities (except in connection with the same limited exceptions that the Founders Shares may be transferred as described above) until after the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of a liquidation prior to our initial business combination, the private units will likely be worthless.
SPONSOR OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of interests in IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, our sponsor, by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of its membership interests;
|
Before Offering |
After Offering |
||||||||||
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Number of |
Approximate |
Number of |
Approximate |
|||||||
|
IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC* |
5,750,000 |
100 |
% |
5,000,000 |
** |
20 |
% |
||||
____________
* Mr. Bengochea is the managing member of the sponsor and directs its day to day operations.
** Assumes the over-allotment option is not exercised
In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial shareholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, on a non-interest bearing basis, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at the holder's discretion, if there are excess funds, on the date on which the Company concludes the initial public offering of its securities. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment.
Our executive officers are our "promoters," as that term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Private Units
Our sponsor and the representative of the underwriters, have committed, pursuant to written agreements, to purchase an aggregate of 570,000 private units (570,000 if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), at a price of $10.00 per private unit, or $5,700,000 in the aggregate, in a private placement that will occur simultaneously with the closing of this offering. The non-managing sponsor investors have indicated an interest to indirectly purchase, through the purchase of non-managing sponsor membership interests, an aggregate of 315,000 private units at a price of $10.00 per private unit ($3,150,000 in the aggregate) in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of this offering. Subject to each non-managing sponsor investor purchasing, through the sponsor, the private units allocated to it in connection with the closing of this offering, the sponsor will issue membership interests at a nominal purchase price to the non-managing sponsor investors reflecting interests in an aggregate of 2,520,000 founder shares held by the sponsor. As a result, the number of private units purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors through the sponsor, if any, will proportionally reduce the number of private units that would otherwise be purchased by the managing member of the sponsor through the sponsor.
The private units will be identical to the units sold in this offering except that, so long as they are held by our sponsor or its permitted transferees, the private units (i) may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, be transferred, assigned or sold by the holders until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination, (ii) will be entitled to registration rights and (iii) with respect to private units held by the underwriter and/or its designees, will not be exercisable more than five years from the commencement of sales in this offering in accordance with FINRA
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Rule 5110(g)(8). If we do not complete our initial business combination by the Deadline, the private units will be worthless. The private units are subject to the transfer restrictions described below. Our sponsor, and our officers and directors are deemed to be our "promoters" as such term is defined under the federal securities laws.
Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units
The founder shares and private units and any ordinary shares issued upon conversion thereof are each subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to lock-up provisions in the agreements entered into by our sponsor and management team. Those lock-up provisions provide that such securities are not transferable or saleable (i) in the case of the founder shares and (ii) in the case of the private units and any shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, as follows:
|
Founder Shares |
Private Units |
|
|
until the earlier of (A) 6 months after the completion of our initial business combination. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, which we refer to as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock sub-divisions, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, the founder shares will be released from the lock-up. |
until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination. Any permitted transferees will be subject to the same restrictions and other agreements of our initial shareholders with respect to any founder shares, which we refer to as the lock-up. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) the closing price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock sub-divisions, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination or (2) if we consummate a transaction after our initial business combination which results in our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property, the securities included in the private units will be released from the lock-up. |
Our sponsor, officers and directors agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) 180 days after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units"). The private units and the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (including the underlying securities) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor (as applicable) or their permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units").
Lock-up Agreement with Underwriter
We, our sponsor and our executive officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, warrants, ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any units, ordinary shares, founder shares or rights, subject to certain exceptions. The representative in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice, other than in the case of the officers and directors, which shall be with notice. Our sponsor, officers and directors are also subject to separate transfer restrictions on their founder shares and private units pursuant to the letter agreement described herein.
Our sponsor, officers and directors agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) 180 days after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share
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sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units"). The private units and the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (including the underlying securities) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor (as applicable) or their permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units").
Except in certain limited circumstances, no member of the sponsor (including the non-managing sponsor investors) may transfer all or any portion of its membership interests in the sponsor. For more information, see "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units".
Non-Managing Sponsor Investors' Membership Interest Units In The Sponsor
The non-managing sponsor investors may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage, charge, hypothecate, exchange or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, all or any portion of their units in the sponsor without the prior written consent of the managing member of the sponsor, unless it's a permitted transfer as permitted to such non-managing sponsor investors' affiliates (which affiliates shall include any non-managing sponsor investors' owners of an equity interest, direct investors, members, or limited partners, as the case may be), immediate family, or to a trust, the primary beneficiary(ies) of which is a member or members of such non-managing sponsor investors' immediate family; provided that such recipient shall be required to become a non-managing sponsor investor in the sponsor.
Registration Rights
The holders of the (i) founder shares, which were issued in a private placement prior to the closing of this offering, (ii) private units which will be issued in a private placement simultaneously with the closing of this offering and the shares underlying such private units, including those to be issued upon conversion of the rights, and (iii) private units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans will have registration rights to require us to register a sale of any of our securities held by them and any other securities of the company acquired by them prior to the consummation of our initial business combination pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement and assuming the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, we will be obligated to register up to 6,377,000 ordinary shares. The number of ordinary shares includes (i) up to 5,750,000 founder shares, (ii) 570,000 shares underlying the private units, and 57,000 underlying the rights included in the private units (if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full). The holders of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our completion of our initial business combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the underwriter may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, the underwriter may participate in a "piggy-back" registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
On September 29, 2025, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC (our Sponsor), contributed $32,000 for the issuance of 5,750,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share (the "ordinary shares") at approximately $0.005 per share, of which up to 750,000 ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full or in part, so that our initial shareholders will continue to own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares after this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). Previously, Bengochea SPAC Sponsors II LLC, the "previous sponsor" held 5,750,000 ordinary shares in Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp II.
In November 2024, we had issued 12,321,429 ordinary shares to Bengochea SPAC Sponsors II LLC, for $25,000 in cash, in connection with our organization. On May 8, 2025, the Sponsor forfeited 6,571,429 Founder Shares for no consideration, leaving 5,750,000 Founder Shares, which shares are now cancelled.
If the underwriters determine the size of the offering should be increased (including pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or decreased, a share dividend or a contribution back to capital, as applicable, would be effectuated in order to maintain our initial shareholders' ownership at a percentage of the number of shares to be sold in this offering.
Our sponsor and Cantor have committed that they and/or their respective designees will purchase, pursuant to a written subscription agreement with us, the 570,000 private units (for a total purchase price of $5,700,000) from us. This purchase will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. The purchasers have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the private units and underlying securities (except to certain permitted transferees) until after the completion of our initial business combination. In the event of a liquidation prior to our initial business combination, the private units will likely be worthless.
In order to meet our working capital needs following the consummation of this offering, our initial shareholders, officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, on a non-interest bearing basis, from time to time or at any time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion. Each loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at holder's discretion, if there are excess proceeds, upon the close of this initial public offering. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment.
The holders of our Founders Shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private units our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us (and all underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of a majority of the private units issued in payment of working capital loans made to us (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. In addition, the holders have certain "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Cantor may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, Cantor may participate in a "piggy-back" registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Prior to the closing of this offering, our sponsor has agreed to loan us up to $300,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the offering. As of August 31, 2025, we had borrowed $300,000 (of up to $300,000 available to us) under the promissory note with our sponsor, which was used to pay a portion of the expenses of this offering referenced in the line items above for SEC registration fee, FINRA filing fee, any non-refundable portion of the NASDAQ listing fee not covered by Cantor, a portion of the legal and audit fees and other offering expenses. This loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and repayable upon the earlier of (a) the date on which the SPAC consummates its initial business combination or, at the holder's discretion, if funds allow, or (b) the date on which the Company concludes the initial public offering of its securities. The principal balance may be prepaid at any time. Our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost.
We will enter into agreements with our officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
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Other than the foregoing payments, no compensation or fees of any kind will be paid to our initial shareholders, members of our management team or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of our initial business combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is). However, such individuals will receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There is no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us; provided, however, that to the extent such expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account, such expenses would not be reimbursed by us unless we consummate an initial business combination.
After our initial business combination, members of our management team who remain with us may be paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to shareholders, to the extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to our shareholders. However, the amount of such compensation may not be known at the time of the shareholder meeting held to consider an initial business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business to determine executive and director compensation. In this event, such compensation will be publicly disclosed at the time of its determination in a Current Report on Form 8-K or a periodic report, as required by the SEC.
All ongoing and future transactions between us and any of our officers and directors or their respective affiliates will be on terms believed by us to be no less favorable to us than are available from unaffiliated third parties. Such transactions will require prior approval by a majority of our uninterested "independent" directors or the members of our board who do not have an interest in the transaction, in either case who had access, at our expense, to our attorneys or independent legal counsel. We will not enter into any such transaction unless our disinterested "independent" directors determine that the terms of such transaction are no less favorable to us than those that would be available to us with respect to such a transaction from unaffiliated third parties.
Related Party Policy
Our Code of Ethics requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.
Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. The audit committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms generally available from an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party's interest in the transaction. No director may participate in the approval of any transaction in which he or she is a related party, but that director is required to provide the audit committee with all material information concerning the transaction. We also require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors' and officers' questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
To further minimize conflicts of interest, we have agreed not to consummate an initial business combination with an entity that is affiliated with any of our initial shareholders, officers or directors unless we have obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated shareholders from a financial point of view. We will also need
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to obtain approval of a majority of our disinterested independent directors. However, the following payments will be made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates, none of which will be made from the proceeds of this offering held in the trust account prior to the completion of our initial business combination:
• Repayment of up to an aggregate of $300,000 in loans made to us by our sponsor to cover offering-related and organizational expenses;
• Our sponsor will provide us the use of their office space and certain administrative services in our search for a target business at no cost;
• Reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and completing an initial business combination;
• Repayment of non-interest-bearing extension loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to extend the time we have to consummate an intended initial business combination. Such loans may be convertible into units, at a price of $10.00 per private unit, at the option of the lender. The units would be identical to the private units; and
• Repayment of non-interest bearing loans which may be made by our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, the terms of which have not been determined nor have any written agreements been executed with respect thereto.
Our audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all payments that were made to our sponsor, officers or directors, or our or their affiliates.
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
General
As of the date of this prospectus, we will be authorized to issue 50,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001, and 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001. As of the date of this prospectus, 5,750,000 ordinary shares are outstanding. No shares of preference shares are currently outstanding. The following description summarizes the material terms of our securities. Because it is only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the form of rights agreement, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Units
Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one-tenth (1/10) of one right. Each right entitles the holder to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination.
We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes an audited balance sheet promptly upon the consummation of this offering. The audited balance sheet will reflect proceeds we receive from the exercise of the over-allotment option, if the over-allotment option is exercised on the date of this prospectus. If the over-allotment option is exercised after the date of this prospectus, we will file an amendment to the Form 8-K to provide updated financial information to reflect the exercise of the over-allotment option. We will also include in this Form 8-K, an amendment thereto, or in a subsequent Form 8-K information indicating if Cantor has allowed separate trading of the ordinary shares and rights prior to the 52nd day after the date of this prospectus.
Ordinary Shares
Prior to the date of this prospectus, there were 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding, all of which were held of record by our initial shareholders, so that our initial shareholders will own 20% of our issued and outstanding shares after this offering (assuming our initial shareholders do not purchase any units in this offering). Up to 750,000 of the founder shares will be surrendered for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised. Upon the closing of this offering, 25,570,000 of our ordinary shares will be issued and outstanding (assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option and the corresponding surrender for no consideration of 750,000 founder shares) comprising:
• 20,000,000 ordinary shares underlying units issued as part of this offering;
• 570,000 ordinary shares underlying the private units sold in the private placement; and
• 5,000,000 ordinary shares held by our initial shareholders.
If we increase or decrease the size of this offering, we will effect a share capitalization or share repurchase or redemption or other appropriate mechanism, as applicable, with respect to our ordinary shares immediately prior to the consummation of the offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of founder shares by our initial shareholders at 20% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares upon the consummation of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering).
Our shareholders of record are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. In connection with any vote held to approve our initial business combination, our initial shareholders, as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote their respective ordinary shares owned by them immediately prior to this offering in favor of the proposed business combination. Unless otherwise specified in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or as required by applicable provisions of the Companies Act or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of a majority of our ordinary shares that are represented in person or by proxy and are voted is required to approve any such matter voted on by our shareholders. Approval of certain actions will require a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, which (except as outlined above) requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company, and pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; such actions include amending our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
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association (other than the provisions referred to above) and approving a statutory merger or consolidation with another company. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors being appointed in each year. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the appointment of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of the shares entitled to vote and voted for the appointment of directors can appoint all of the directors. Our shareholders are entitled to receive ratable dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor.
Because our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorize the issuance of up to 50,000,000 ordinary shares, if we were to enter into a business combination, we may (depending on the terms of such a business combination) be required to increase the number of ordinary shares which we are authorized to issue at the same time as our shareholders vote on the business combination to the extent we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination. Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being appointed in each year and each class (except for those directors appointed prior to our first annual general meeting) serving a three-year term.
In accordance with Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, we are not required to hold an annual general meeting until one year after our first fiscal year end following our listing on Nasdaq. There is no requirement under the Companies Act for us to hold annual or general meetings or appoint directors other than to ensure that the company has at least one director at all times. We may not hold an annual general meeting to appoint new directors prior to the consummation of our initial business combination.
We will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their public shares, regardless of whether they abstain, vote for, or vote against, our initial business combination, upon the completion of our initial business combination at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account calculated as of two business days prior to the consummation of our initial business combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein. The amount in the trust account is initially anticipated to be $10.00 per public share. The per share amount we will distribute to investors who properly redeem their shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions we will pay to the underwriters. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to any shares held by them in connection with the completion of our initial business combination. Unlike many special purpose acquisition companies that hold shareholder votes and conduct proxy solicitations in conjunction with their initial business combinations and provide for related redemptions of public shares for cash upon completion of such initial business combinations even when a vote is not required by law, if a shareholder vote is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other legal reasons, we will, pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the SEC, and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require these tender offer documents to contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under the SEC's proxy rules. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transaction is required by law, or we decide to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, we will, like many special purpose acquisition companies, offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If we seek shareholder approval, we will complete our initial business combination only if we obtain the approval an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. However, if our initial business combination is structured as a statutory merger or consolidation with another company under Cayman Islands law, the approval of our initial business combination will require a special resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. However, the participation of our sponsor, officers, directors, advisors or their affiliates in privately-negotiated transactions (as described in this prospectus), if any, could result in the approval of our initial business combination even if a majority of our public shareholders vote, or indicate their intention to vote, against such initial business combination. For purposes of seeking approval of an ordinary resolution, non-votes will have no effect on the approval of our initial business combination once a quorum is obtained. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association require that at least five clear days' notice will be given of any general meeting.
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If we seek shareholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions in connection with our initial business combination pursuant to the tender offer rules, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a "group" (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to Excess Shares without our prior consent. However, we would not be restricting our shareholders' ability to vote all of their shares (including Excess Shares) for or against our initial business combination. Our shareholders' inability to redeem the Excess Shares will reduce their influence over our ability to complete our initial business combination, and such shareholders could suffer a material loss in their investment if they sell such Excess Shares on the open market. Additionally, such shareholders will not receive redemption distributions with respect to the Excess Shares if we complete our initial business combination. And, as a result, such shareholders will continue to hold that number of shares exceeding 15% and, in order to dispose such shares would be required to sell their shares in open market transactions, potentially at a loss.
If we seek shareholder approval in connection with our initial business combination, our sponsor, officers and directors have agreed to vote their founder shares, private placement shares and any public shares purchased during or after this offering (including in open market and privately-negotiated transactions, aside from shares they may purchase in compliance with the requirements of Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act, which would not be voted in favor of approving the business combination transaction) in favor of our initial business combination. As a result, in addition to our initial shareholders' founder shares, we would need 7,215,001 or 36.1%, of the 20,000,000 public shares sold in this offering to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to have our initial business combination approved, assuming all outstanding shares are voted, the over-allotment option is not exercised and the parties to the letter agreement do not acquire any ordinary shares. Assuming that only the holders of a majority of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, representing a quorum under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association vote their shares at a general meeting of the company, we would not need any of the public shares sold in this offering in addition to our founder shares and private placement shares to be voted in favor of an initial business combination in order to approve an initial business combination. Additionally, each public shareholder may elect to redeem their public shares irrespective of whether they vote for or vote against the proposed transaction, or whether they do not vote or abstain from voting on the proposed transaction, or whether they were a public shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction.
Pursuant to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, if we do not consummate an initial business combination by 24 months from the closing of this offering, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Our sponsor, officers and directors have entered into a letter agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to their founder shares and private placement shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the completion window. However, if our sponsor or management team acquire public shares in or after this offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the trust account with respect to such public shares if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time period.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company after a business combination, our shareholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of shares, if any, having preference over the ordinary shares. Our shareholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their public shares for cash at a per share price equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, upon the completion of our initial business combination, subject to the limitations and on the conditions described herein.
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Our initial shareholders, officers and directors have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account occurring upon our failure to consummate an initial business combination with respect to the founder shares. Our initial shareholders, officers and directors will therefore not participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to such shares. They will, however, participate in any liquidation distribution from the trust account with respect to any ordinary shares acquired in, or following, this offering.
Our shareholders have no redemption, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the ordinary shares, except that public shareholders have the right to sell their shares to us in a tender offer or have their ordinary shares redeemed for cash equal to their pro rata share of the trust account in connection with the consummation of our business combination.
Register of Members
Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there will be entered therein:
• the names and addresses of the members, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member and the voting rights of the shares of each member;
• whether voting rights attach to the shares in issue;
• the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
• the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members will be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the closing of this public offering, the register of members will be immediately updated to reflect the issue of shares by us. Once our register of members has been updated, the shareholders recorded in the register of members will be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name. However, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order that the register of members maintained by a company should be rectified where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. If an application for an order for rectification of the register of members were made in respect of our ordinary shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands court.
Preference Shares
There are no preference shares issued and outstanding. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 preference shares with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. No preference shares are being issued or registered in this offering. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is empowered, without shareholder approval, to issue preference shares with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of ordinary shares. However, the underwriting agreement prohibits us, prior to a business combination, from issuing preference shares which participates in any manner in the proceeds of the trust account, or which votes as a class with the ordinary shares on a business combination. We may issue some or all of the preference shares to effect a business combination. In addition, the preference shares could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Although we do not currently intend to issue any preference shares, we cannot assure you that we will not do so in the future.
Rights included as part of units
Except in cases where we are not the surviving company in a business combination, each holder of a right will automatically receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of our initial business combination, even if the holder of a public right converted all shares held by such holder in connection with the initial business combination. In the event we will not be the surviving company upon completion of our initial business combination,
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each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert such holder's rights in order to receive the one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share underlying each right upon consummation of the business combination. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive such holder's additional shares upon consummation of an initial business combination. The shares issuable upon exchange of the rights will be freely tradable (except to the extent held by affiliates of ours). If we enter into a definitive agreement for a business combination in which we will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of our ordinary shares will receive in the transaction on an as-converted basis into ordinary shares.
We will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded down to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with applicable provisions of Cayman Islands law. As a result, you must hold rights in multiples of ten in order to receive shares for all of your rights upon closing of a business combination. If we are unable to complete an initial business combination within the required time period and we liquidate the funds held in the trust account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds with respect to their rights, nor will they receive any distribution from our assets held outside of the trust account with respect to such rights, and the rights will expire worthless. Further, there are no contractual penalties for failure to deliver securities to the holders of the rights upon consummation of an initial business combination. Additionally, in no event will we be required to net cash settle the rights. Accordingly, the rights may expire worthless.
Dividends
We have not paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of a business combination. A Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or the share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if following such payment the company would be unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition subsequent to completion of a business combination. The payment of any dividends subsequent to a business combination will be within the discretion of our then board of directors. It is the present intention of our Board of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and, accordingly, our Board does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our Transfer Agent and Rights Agent
The transfer agent for our securities is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004.
Listing of our Securities
Our units will be listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "IRHOU" and, once the ordinary shares and rights begin separate trading, under the symbols "IRHO" and "IRHOR," respectively. Following the date the ordinary shares and rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the ordinary shares and rights will be listed separately and as a unit on NASDAQ.
Certain Differences in Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Act. The Companies Act is modeled on English law but does not follow recent English law statutory enactments, and differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements. In certain circumstances, the Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction).
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (i) a special resolution of the shareholders of each company; and
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(ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that holds issued shares that together represent 90% of the votes at a general meeting of the subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company, provided the parent company is the surviving entity and a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that member agrees otherwise. The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar of Companies will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the directors of the Cayman Islands company are also required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that certain requirements have been met, including the following requirements: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any applicable jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted; and (v) there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands exempted company, the directors of the Cayman Islands exempted company are further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, they are of the opinion that the following requirements have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidation is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (A) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (B) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (C) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; and (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction.
The Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid the fair value of their shares upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation in certain circumstances if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, where such rights apply, that procedure is as follows: (i) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for their shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (ii) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is authorized by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (iii) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of their shares; (iv) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (ii) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase their shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree the price within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; and (v) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree on a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company must (and any dissenting shareholder may) file a petition with the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands to determine the fair value of all dissenting shares and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have
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not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. A shareholder who dissents must do so in respect of all shares that that person holds in the constituent company. Upon the giving of a notice of dissent under paragraph (iii) above, the shareholder to whom the notice relates shall cease to have any of the rights of a shareholder except the right to be paid the fair value of that person's shares and certain rights specified in the Companies Act. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenting shareholders holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date, where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
Moreover, Cayman Islands law has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a "scheme of arrangement," which may be tantamount to a merger. Schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedures for which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved (i) in relation to a compromise or arrangement between a company and its creditors or any class of them, a majority in number of such creditors or class of creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent 75% in value of such creditors or class of creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting summoned for that purpose; and (ii) in relation to a compromise or arrangement between a company and its shareholders or any class of them, shareholders who represent 75% in value of the company's shareholders or class of shareholders, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
• we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;
• the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
• the arrangement is such as a businessman would reasonably approve; and
• the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act or that would amount to a "fraud on the minority."
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to dissenters' rights or appraisal rights (providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares), which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations.
Squeeze-out Provisions. When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% in value of the shares to whom the offer relates within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period after the expiration of the initial four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements of an operating business.
Shareholders' Suits. Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability of such actions. In most cases,
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we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based both on Cayman Islands authorities and on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
• a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;
• the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or
• those who control the company are perpetrating a "fraud on the minority."
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities. The Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides less protection to investors. Additionally, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the Federal courts of the United States.
We have been advised by Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive and for a liquidated sum, and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands (awards of punitive or multiple damages may well be held to be contrary to public policy). A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
• an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
• an exempted company's register of members is not open to inspection and can be kept outside of the Cayman Islands;
• an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
• an exempted company may issue shares with no nominal or par value;
• an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 or 30 years in the first instance); and
• an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
"Limited liability" means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstance in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
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Our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain certain requirements and restrictions relating to this offering that will apply to us until the completion of our initial business combination. These provisions cannot be amended without a special resolution. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a special resolution is a resolution that (i) has been passed by a majority of at least two-thirds (or any higher threshold specified in a company's articles of association) of such of a company's shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting for which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been given; or (ii) if so authorized by a company's articles of association, has been approved by a unanimous written resolution of all of the company's shareholders who are entitled to vote on such matter (or such lower threshold as may be allowed under the Companies Act from time to time). Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that special resolutions must be approved either by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by such shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company (i.e., the lowest threshold permissible under Cayman Islands law), or by a written resolution passed in accordance with the Companies Act.
Our initial shareholders, who will collectively beneficially own up to 20% of our ordinary shares upon the closing of this offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering and excluding the ordinary shares comprising part of the private placement units and the ordinary shares underlying the private placement rights issued to the sponsor), will participate in any vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and will have the discretion to vote in any manner they choose. Specifically, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides, among other things, that:
• If we have not consummated our initial business combination within the completion window, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter (and subject to lawfully available funds therefor), 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes and less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), 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 liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining shareholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law;
• If a shareholder vote on our initial business combination is not required by law and we do not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, we will offer to redeem our public shares pursuant to Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act, and will file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing our initial business combination which contain substantially the same financial and other information about our initial business combination and the redemption rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;
• Nasdaq rules require that we must complete one or more business combinations having an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the value of the assets held in the trust account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the trust account).
• If our shareholders approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association not for the purposes of approving, or in conjunction with the consummation of, an initial business combination (i) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemption in connection with an initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete an initial business combination within the completion window or (ii) with respect to any other material provisions relating to the rights of holders of our ordinary shares or pre-initial business combination activity, we will provide our public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon such approval 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 (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then-outstanding public shares.
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Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder's shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum. The forum selection provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not apply to actions or suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Terrorist Financing, Prevention of Proliferation Financing and Financial Sanctions Compliance - Cayman Islands
If any person resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist financing and property or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct, money laundering or proliferation financing or is the business combination partner of a financial sanction; or (ii) a police officer of the rank of constable or higher, or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise. We reserve the right to refuse to make any payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, prevention of proliferation financing and financial sanctions or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
Should a shareholder or its duly authorized delegates or agents be, or become (or is believed by the company or its affiliates ("Agents") to be or become) at any time while it owns or holds an interest in the company, (a) an individual or entity named on any sanctions list maintained by the United Kingdom (including as extended to the Cayman Islands by Orders in Council) or the Cayman Islands or any similar list maintained under applicable law or is otherwise subject to applicable sanctions in the Cayman Islands (a "Sanctions Subject") or (b) an entity owned or controlled directly or indirectly by a Sanctions Subject, as determined by the company in its sole discretion, then (i) the company or its Agents may immediately and without notice to the shareholder cease any further dealings with the shareholder or freeze any dealings with the interests or accounts of the shareholder (e.g., by prohibiting payments by or to the shareholder or restricting or suspending dealings with the interests or accounts) or freeze the assets of the company (including interests or accounts of other shareholders who are not Sanctions Subjects), until the relevant person ceases to be a Sanctions Subject or a license is obtained under applicable law to continue such dealings (a "Sanctioned Persons Event"), (ii) the company and its Agents may be required to report such action or failure to comply with information requests and to disclose the shareholder's identity (and/or the identity of the shareholder's beneficial owners and control persons) to the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, the Cayman Islands Financial Reporting Authority, or
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other applicable governmental or regulatory authorities (without notifying the Subscriber that such information has been so provided) and (iii) the company and its Agents have no liability whatsoever for any liabilities, costs, expenses, damages and/or losses (including but not limited to any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of reputation and all interest, penalties and legal costs and all other professional costs and expenses) incurred by the shareholder as a result of a Sanctioned Persons Event.
Economic Substance - Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union and the OECD as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. The International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (As Revised) (the "Substance Act") came into force in the Cayman Islands in January 2019, introducing certain economic substance requirements for in-scope Cayman Islands entities which are engaged in certain geographically mobile business activities ("relevant activities.") As we are a Cayman Islands exempted company, compliance obligations include filing annual notifications, in which need to state whether we are carrying out any relevant activities and if so, whether we have satisfied economic substance tests to the extent required under the Substance Act. It is anticipated that our Company will not be engaging in any "relevant activities" prior to the consummation of our initial business combination and will therefore not be required need to meet the economic substance requirements tests or will otherwise be subject to more limited substance requirements. Failure to satisfy applicable requirements may subject us to penalties under the Substance Act.
Data Protection - Cayman Islands
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time and any regulations, codes of practice, or orders promulgated pursuant thereto (the "DPA") based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
Introduction
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment in the company you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA ("personal data"). In the following discussion, the "company" refers to us and our affiliates and/or delegates, except where the context requires otherwise.
We are committed to processing personal data in accordance with the DPA. In our use of personal data, we will be characterized under the DPA as a "data controller," whilst certain of our service providers, affiliates, and delegates may act as "data processors" under the DPA. These service providers may process personal data for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us. For the purposes of this Privacy Notice, "you" or "your" shall mean the subscriber and shall also include any individual connected to the subscriber.
By virtue of your investment in the company, we and certain of our service providers may collect, record, store, transfer, and otherwise process personal data by which individuals may be directly or indirectly identified. We may combine personal data that you provide to use with personal data that we collect from, or about you. This may include personal data collected in an online or offline context including from credit reference agencies and other available public databases or data sources, such as news outlines, websites and other media sources and international sanctions lists.
Your personal data will be processed fairly and for lawful purposes, including (a) where the processing is necessary for us to perform a contract to which you are a party or for taking pre-contractual steps at your request, (b) where the processing is necessary for compliance with any legal, tax, or regulatory obligation to which we are subject, (c) where the processing is for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us or by a service provider to whom the data are disclosed, or (d) where you otherwise consent to the processing of personal data for any other specific purpose. As a data controller, we will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it. If we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose, we will contact you.
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We anticipate that we will share your personal data with our service providers for the purposes set out in this privacy notice. We may also share relevant personal data where it is lawful to do so and necessary to comply with our contractual obligations or your instructions or where it is necessary or desirable to do so in connection with any regulatory reporting obligations. In exceptional circumstances, we will share your personal data with regulatory, prosecuting, and other governmental agencies or departments, and parties to litigation (whether pending or threatened), in any country or territory including to any other person where we have a public or legal duty to do so (e.g. to assist with detecting and preventing fraud, tax evasion, and financial crime or compliance with a court order).
Your personal data shall not be held by the company for longer than necessary with regard to the purposes of the data processing.
We will not sell your personal data. Any transfer of personal data outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA. Where necessary, we will ensure that separate and appropriate legal agreements are put in place with the recipient of that data.
We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction, or damage to the personal data.
Investor Data
We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities of on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.
In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a "data controller" for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our "data processors" for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder's investment activity.
Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation to your investment in the company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transmit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.
How the Company May Use a Shareholder's Personal Data
The company, as the data controller, may collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular:
• where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any purchase agreements;
• where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, prevention of proliferation financing, financial sanctions and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or
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• where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.
Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.
We anticipate disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the United States, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.
The Data Protection Measures We Take
Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPL.
We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.
Rights of Individual Data Subjects
Individual data subjects have certain data protection rights, including the right to:
• be informed about the purposes for which your personal data are processed;
• access your personal data;
• stop direct marketing;
• restrict the processing of your personal data;
• have incomplete or inaccurate personal data corrected;
• ask us to stop processing your personal data;
• be informed of a personal data breach (unless the breach is unlikely to be prejudicial to you);
• complain to the Data Protection Ombudsman; and
• require us to delete your personal data in some limited circumstances.
If you consider that your personal data has not been handled correctly, or you are not satisfied with our responses to any requests you have made regarding the use of your personal data, you have the right to complain to the Cayman Islands' Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by accessing their website here: ombudsman.ky.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provides that our board of directors will be classified into three classes of directors. As a result, in most circumstances, a person can gain control of our board only by successfully engaging in a proxy contest at two or more annual general meetings and obtaining the support of our sponsor.
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Our authorized but unissued ordinary shares and preference shares are available for future issuances without shareholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved ordinary shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Extraordinary General Meetings
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that extraordinary general meetings may be called only by a majority vote of our board of directors, by our Chief Executive Officer or by our Chairman.
Written Resolutions
Subsequent to the consummation of the offering, any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders may be effected by a duly called annual general meeting or extraordinary general meeting or by written resolution passed in accordance with the Companies Act.
Classified Board of Directors
Our board of directors will initially be divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with members of each class serving staggered three year terms. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Subject to the terms of any preference shares, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time by an ordinary resolution, which requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at the applicable general meeting of the company. Prior to the consummation of an initial business combination. Our board of directors may, by a vote of a majority of our directors then in office, appoint any person to be a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director.
Securities Eligible for Future Sale
Immediately after this offering we will have 25,570,000 (or 29,320,000 if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) ordinary shares outstanding. Of these shares, the ordinary shares sold in this offering (20,000,000 ordinary shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised and 23,000,000 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any ordinary shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the outstanding founder shares (5,000,000 founder shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised and 5,750,000 founder shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) and all of the outstanding private placement shares underlying the private placement units (570,000 private placement shares whether or not the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised) will be restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering, and are subject to transfer restrictions as set forth elsewhere in this prospectus.
Exclusive Forum Selection
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association or otherwise related in any way to each shareholder's shareholding in us, including but not limited to (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any fiduciary or other duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees to us or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Companies Act or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognized under the laws of the United States of America) and that each shareholder irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Cayman Islands over all such claims or disputes. The forum selection provision in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will not apply to actions or
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suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are, as a matter of the laws of the United States of America, the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such a claim.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association also provide that, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies that we may have, each of our shareholders acknowledges that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum and that accordingly we shall be entitled, without proof of special damages, to the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief for any threatened or actual breach of the selection of the courts of the Cayman Islands as exclusive forum.
Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against willful default, willful neglect, actual fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for indemnification of our officers and directors to the maximum extent permitted by law, including for any liability incurred in their capacities as such, except through their own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect. We will enter into agreements with our directors and officers to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. We expect to purchase a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance that insures our officers and directors against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures us against our obligations to indemnify our officers and directors.
Our officers and directors have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account, and have agreed to waive any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any services provided to us and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever (except to the extent they are entitled to funds from the trust account due to their ownership of public shares). Accordingly, any indemnification provided will only be able to be satisfied by us if (i) we have sufficient funds outside of the trust account or (ii) we consummate an initial business combination.
These provisions may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. Furthermore, a shareholder's investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. We believe that these provisions, the insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Immediately after this offering, we will have 25,570,000 ordinary shares outstanding, or 29,320,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full. Of these shares, the 20,000,000 shares sold in this offering, or 23,000,000 shares if the over-allotment option is exercised in full, will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by one of our affiliates within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All of the remaining shares are restricted securities under Rule 144, in that they were issued in private transactions not involving a public offering. All of those shares will not be transferable except in limited circumstances described elsewhere in this prospectus.
Rule 144
A person who has beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale. Persons who have beneficially owned restricted ordinary shares for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or any time during the three months preceding, a sale would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:
• 1% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, which will equal 255,700 shares immediately after this offering (or 293,200 if the over-allotment option is exercised in full); and
• the average weekly trading volume of the ordinary shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.
Sales under Rule 144 are also limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.
Restrictions on the Use of Rule 144 by Shell Companies or Former Shell Companies
Historically, the SEC staff had taken the position that Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by companies that are, or previously were, blank check companies, like us. The SEC has codified and expanded this position in the amendments discussed above by prohibiting the use of Rule 144 for resale of securities issued by any shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or any issuer that has been at any time previously a shell company. The SEC has provided an important exception to this prohibition, however, if the following conditions are met:
• the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;
• the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
• the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and
• at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.
As a result, it is likely that pursuant to Rule 144, our initial shareholders will be able to sell their Founders Shares freely without registration one year after we have completed our initial business combination assuming none of them are affiliates of ours at that time.
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founders Shares issued and outstanding on the date of this prospectus, as well as the holders of the private units our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to us (and all underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of this offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that we register such securities. The holders of a majority of the private units issued
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to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to us (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after we consummate a business combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Cantor may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, the holders have certain "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination; provided, however, that Cantor may participate in a "piggy-back" registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
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TAXATION
The following summary of certain Cayman Islands and United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in our units, each consisting of one ordinary share and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of a ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, which we refer to collectively as our securities, is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares and rights, such as the tax consequences under state, local and other tax laws.
Prospective investors should consult their advisors on the possible tax consequences of investing in our securities under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in our securities. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor's particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
Under Existing Cayman Islands Laws
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our securities will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of the securities nor will gains derived from the disposal of the securities be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporate tax. The Cayman Islands currently has no income, corporate or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of the warrants. An instrument of transfer in respect of a warrant is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of such shares. An instrument of transfer in respect of a share is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.
The Company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has applied for and received an undertaking from the Financial Secretary of the Cayman Islands in a form substantially similar to the following on September 25, 2025:
"The Tax Concessions Act
(As Revised)
Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised), the following undertaking is hereby given to the Company:
1. That no law which is hereafter enacted in the Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the Company or its operations; and
2. In addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:
2.1 On or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company; or
2.2 by way of the withholding in whole or in part of any relevant payment as defined in the Tax Concessions Act (As Revised).
These concessions shall be for a period of 30 years from the date hereof.
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MATERIAL United states federal income tax considerations
The following discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our units (each consisting of one ordinary share and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination) that are purchased in this offering, which we refer to collectively as our securities, by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below).
Because the components of a unit are generally separable at the option of the holder, the holder of a unit generally should be treated, for United States federal income tax purposes, as the owner of the underlying ordinary share or right components of the unit. As a result, the discussion below with respect to holders of ordinary shares and rights should also apply to holders of units (as the deemed owners of the underlying ordinary shares and rights that constitute the units).
This discussion is limited to certain United States federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our securities who are initial purchasers of a unit pursuant to this offering and hold the unit and each component of the unit as a capital asset under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). This discussion assumes that the ordinary shares and rights will trade separately and that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars. This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of a unit by a prospective investor in light of its particular circumstances, including:
• our founders, the sponsor, officers or directors;
• financial institutions or financial services entities;
• broker-dealers;
• taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market tax accounting rules;
• S Corporations;
• tax-exempt entities;
• individual retirement accounts or other tax deferred accounts;
• governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
• insurance companies;
• regulated investment companies;
• real estate investment trusts;
• expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
• persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares or five percent or more of the total value of our shares;
• persons that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation or in connection with services;
• persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction;
• persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to ordinary shares or rights as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;
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• U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
• controlled foreign corporations; or
• passive foreign investment companies.
Moreover, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and such provisions may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of United States federal non-income tax laws, such as alternative minimum gift, estate or Medicare contribution tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws, or except as discussed herein, any tax reporting obligations of a holder of our securities. This discussion also assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our ordinary shares and any consideration received (or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our securities will be in U.S. dollars.
We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") as to any United States federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not change the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of units, ordinary shares or rights who or that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:
• an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
• a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
• an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
• a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of entities or arrangements treated as partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through such entities or arrangements. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their own tax advisors.
THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES. THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES MAY BE AFFECTED BY MATTERS NOT DISCUSSED HEREIN AND DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATION OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AS WELL AS UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
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Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of a unit or instruments similar to a unit for United States federal income tax purposes, and therefore, that treatment is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a unit should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one ordinary share and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of an ordinary share upon the consummation of an initial business combination, with ten (10) rights entitling the holder thereof to receive one ordinary share upon consummation of an initial business combination, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus. We intend to treat the acquisition of a unit in this manner and, by purchasing a unit, you must adopt such treatment for United States federal income tax purposes. For United States federal income and other applicable tax purposes, each holder of a unit must allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such unit between the one ordinary share and the one right based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of issuance. Under United States federal income tax law, each investor must make its own determination of such value based on all the facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each investor to consult its own tax advisor regarding the determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to each ordinary share and each right should be the shareholder's tax basis in such ordinary share or right. Any disposition of a unit should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a disposition of one ordinary share and one right comprising the unit, and the amount realized on the disposition should be allocated between one ordinary share and one right based on their relative fair market values at the time of disposition (as determined by each such unit holder based on all the facts and circumstances).
The foregoing treatment of the units, ordinary shares and rights and a holder's purchase price allocation are not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above or the discussion below. If the IRS or a court were to determine that, contrary to the characterization described above, a unit is a single instrument for United States federal income tax purposes, the tax consequences to an investor could be materially different than those described below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged to consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in a unit (including alternative characterizations of a unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the characterization of the units (and the components thereof) and any allocation of purchase price of a unit as described above is respected for United States federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
This section is addressed to U.S. Holders of our securities. For purposes of this discussion, you are a "U.S. Holder" if you are a beneficial owner of a security that is:
• an individual citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
• a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in, or under the laws of, the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or
• an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source;
• or trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more United States persons has the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Company
A corporation is generally considered for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be a tax resident in the jurisdiction of its organization and incorporation. Accordingly, under generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rules, the Company, which is incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, would not be expected to be classified as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Section 7874 of the Code, however, provides an exception to this general rule under which a non-U.S. incorporated entity may, in certain circumstances, be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These rules are complex and there is limited guidance regarding their application.
Under Section 7874 of the Code, a corporation created or organized outside of the United States will nevertheless be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and, therefore, be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide income) if each of the following three conditions are met: (i) the non-U.S. corporation, directly or indirectly, acquires substantially all of the properties held directly or indirectly by a U.S. corporation (including
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through the acquisition of stock of the U.S. corporation), (ii) the non-U.S. corporation's expanded affiliate group does not have substantial business activities in the non-U.S. corporation's country of organization or incorporation, and (iii) after the acquisition, the former shareholders of the acquired U.S. corporation hold at least 80% (by either vote or value) of the stock of the non-U.S. acquiring corporation by reason of holding stock in the U.S. acquired corporation as determined for purposes of `Section 7874.
The Company is a newly formed and funded Cayman Islands corporation and we intend and expect Section 7874 not to apply to the Company. We note, however, that Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II, which was merged into the Company on September 30, 2025, was incorporated in Delaware prior to its migration into the Cayman Islands and its liquidation for U.S. federal income tax purposes on July 25, 2025. In our view, the requirements of Section 7874 are not met with respect to those transactions; there is no assurance, however, that the IRS would not assert that the Company is brought into the purview of Section 7874 and that such an assertion would not be sustained by a court. We have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS on that question.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Company will not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code.
Taxation of Distributions
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income, in accordance with such U.S. Holder's method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes, as dividends the amount of any distribution of cash or other property paid on our ordinary shares to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles). Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder's basis in its ordinary shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such ordinary shares. In the event that we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles, a U.S. Holder should expect that all cash distributions will be reported as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes.
Dividends paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as described above generally will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, under tax laws currently in effect and subject to certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), dividends generally will be treated as "qualified dividend income" and taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see "Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Rights" below) only if our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, the Company is not treated as a PFIC at the time the dividend was paid or in the preceding year and certain other requirements are met (including with respect to holding period). It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of such lower rate for any dividends paid with respect to our ordinary shares.
Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Rights
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or rights (including on our dissolution and liquidation if we do not consummate an initial business combination within the required time period). Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period for such ordinary shares or rights exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights described in this prospectus may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period is suspended, then non-corporate U.S. Holders may not be able to satisfy the one-year holding period requirement for long-term capital gain treatment, in which case any gain on a sale or taxable disposition of our ordinary shares or rights would be subject to short-term capital gain treatment and would be taxed at ordinary income rates.
The amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition (or, if the ordinary shares or rights are held as part of units at the time of the disposition, the portion of the amount realized on such disposition that is allocated to the ordinary shares or rights based upon the then fair market values of the ordinary
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shares and rights included in the units) and (ii) the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or rights so disposed of. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in its ordinary shares or rights generally will equal the U.S. Holder's acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to an ordinary share or a right, as described above under "Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a Unit") reduced, in the case of an ordinary share by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Holder is currently eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. U.S. Holders who recognize losses with respect to a disposition of our securities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of such losses.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that a U.S. Holder's ordinary shares are redeemed pursuant to the redemption provisions described in this prospectus under "Description of Securities - Ordinary Shares" or if we purchase a U.S. Holder's ordinary shares in an open market transaction (in either case referred to herein as a "Redemption"), the treatment of the transaction for United States federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption or purchase by us qualifies as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption or purchase by us qualifies as a sale or exchange of ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under "Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares and Rights" above. If the redemption or purchase by us does not qualify as a sale of ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described above under "Taxation of Distributions." Whether a redemption or purchase by us qualifies for treatment as a sale or exchange will depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any ordinary shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder described in the following paragraph) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption or purchase. The redemption or purchase by us of ordinary shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the ordinary shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if such redemption or purchase by us (i) is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to the U.S. Holder, (ii) results in a "complete termination" of the U.S. Holder's interest in us or (iii) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only our ordinary shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder, but also our ordinary shares that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition to ordinary shares owned directly, ordinary shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any ordinary shares the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include ordinary shares which could be acquired pursuant to the rights. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of our issued and outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately following the redemption or purchase by us of ordinary shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80 percent of the percentage of our issued and outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption or purchase by us. Prior to our initial business combination, the ordinary shares may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially disproportionate test may not be applicable.
There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder's interest if either (i) all of our ordinary shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our ordinary shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of ordinary shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other of our ordinary shares and otherwise complies with specific conditions.
Whether the redemption or purchase by us of the ordinary shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption or purchase by us results in a "meaningful reduction" of the U.S. Holder's proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption or purchase by us is essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a U.S. Holder generally will depend on the particular facts and circumstances applicable to the U.S. Holder, but generally will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder's proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a "meaningful reduction." A U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption or purchase by us of any ordinary shares.
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If none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption or purchase by us of any ordinary shares will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under "Taxation of Distributions" above. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed ordinary shares will be added to the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in its remaining ordinary shares. If there are no remaining ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the allocation of any remaining tax basis. U.S. Holders who actually or constructively own five percent (5%) (or, if the ordinary shares are not then publicly traded, one percent (1%)) or more of the ordinary shares (by vote or value) may be subject to special reporting requirements with respect to a redemption of ordinary shares, and such holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers with respect to their reporting requirements.
Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Rights
The treatment of the rights to acquire ordinary shares is uncertain. The right may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to an option with no exercise price), and thus the holder of the right would not be viewed as owning the ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the rights until such ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the rights are issued.
The tax consequences of an acquisition of our ordinary shares pursuant to rights are unclear and will depend on the treatment of any initial business combination. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an acquisition of ordinary shares pursuant to rights and the consequences of any initial business combination.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year (ordinarily determined based on fair market value and averaged quarterly over the year), including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of assets giving rise to passive income.
Because we are a blank check company, with no current active operating business, we believe that it is likely that we will meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year. However, pursuant to a startup exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income (the "startup year"), if (i) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (ii) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the startup year; and (iii) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The applicability of the startup exception to us will not be known until after the close of our current taxable year and, perhaps, until the end of our two taxable years following our startup year (within the meaning of the startup exception). Further, after the acquisition of a company or assets in a business combination, we may still meet one of the PFIC tests depending on the timing of the acquisition and the amount of our passive income and assets as well as the passive income and assets of the acquired business. If the company that we acquire in a business combination is a PFIC (or we do not complete a business acquisition by the end of the first taxable year after the taxable year of our formation), then we will likely not qualify for the startup exception and will be a PFIC for our current taxable year. Our actual PFIC status for our current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year (and, in the case of the startup exception to our current taxable year, perhaps not until after the end of our two taxable years following our startup year). Accordingly, there can be no assurance with respect to our status as a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year. In addition, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status for our current or future taxable years.
Although our PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years to a U.S. Holder who held (or is deemed to have held) ordinary shares or rights while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any shares or rights and, in the case of our ordinary shares, the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund ("QEF") election or a mark-to-market election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) ordinary shares, as described below, such U.S. Holder generally will be
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subject to special rules with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its ordinary shares or rights and (ii) any "excess distribution" made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the ordinary shares during the three preceding taxable years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder's holding period for the ordinary shares).
Under these rules:
• the U.S. Holder's gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for the ordinary shares or rights;
• the amount allocated to the U.S. Holder's taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder's holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will be taxed as ordinary income;
• the amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable to the U.S. Holder; and
• an additional amount equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the U.S. Holder with respect to the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the U.S. Holder.
In general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may be able to avoid certain PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our ordinary shares (but not our rights) by making and maintaining a timely and valid QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of our net capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
The treatment of the rights to acquire our ordinary shares is unclear. For example, the rights may be viewed as a forward contract, derivative security or similar interest in our company (analogous to an option with no exercise price), and thus the holder of the right would not be viewed as owning the ordinary shares issuable pursuant to the rights until such ordinary shares are actually issued. There may be other alternative characterizations of the rights that the IRS may successfully assert, including that the rights are treated as equity in our company at the time the rights are issued, that would reach different conclusions regarding the tax treatment of the rights under the PFIC rules. In any case, depending on which characterization is successfully applied to the rights, different PFIC consequences may result for U.S. Holders of the rights. It is also likely that a U.S. Holder of rights would not be able to make a QEF or mark-to-market election (discussed below) with respect to such U.S. Holder's rights. Due to the uncertainty of the application of the PFIC rules to the rights, all potential investors are strongly urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding an investment in the rights offered hereunder as part of the units offering and the subsequent consequences to holders of such rights in any initial business combination.
The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular circumstances. A QEF election may not be made with respect to our rights.
In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year upon written request, we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election, but there is no assurance that we will timely provide such required information. There is also no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
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If a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares, and the excess distribution rules discussed above do not apply to such ordinary shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of our ordinary shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no additional interest charge will be imposed under the PFIC rules. As discussed above, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder of our ordinary shares that has made a QEF election will be currently taxed on its pro rata share of our earnings and profits, whether or not distributed for such year. A subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable when distributed to such U.S. Holder. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder's shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income, and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. In addition, if we are not a PFIC for any taxable year, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to our ordinary shares for such a taxable year.
Alternatively, if a U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) ordinary shares in us and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect of its ordinary shares. Instead, in general, the U.S. Holder will include for each of its taxable years as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of such year over its adjusted basis in its ordinary shares. These amounts of ordinary income would not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis of its ordinary shares over the fair market value of its ordinary shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder's basis in its ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its ordinary shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to rights.
The mark-to-market election is available only for "marketable stock," generally, stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Nasdaq (on which we intend to list the ordinary shares), or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless the ordinary shares ceased to qualify as "marketable stock" for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect to our ordinary shares under their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC and, at any time, have a foreign subsidiary that is classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders generally would be deemed to own a portion of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or dispose of all or part of our interest in, the lower-tier PFIC or the U.S. Holders otherwise were deemed to have disposed of an interest in the lower-tier PFIC. Upon written request we will endeavor to cause any lower-tier PFIC to provide to a U.S. Holder the information that may be required to make or maintain a QEF election with respect to the lower-tier PFIC. There can be no assurance that we will have timely knowledge of the status of any such lower-tier PFIC. In addition, we may not hold a controlling interest in any such lower-tier PFIC and thus there can be no assurance we will be able to cause the lower-tier PFIC to provide such required information. A mark-to-market election generally would not be available with respect to such lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax issues raised by lower-tier PFICs.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.
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The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our ordinary shares or rights should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules to our securities under their particular circumstances.
Tax Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes will be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Furthermore, certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. Holder's investment in "specified foreign financial assets" on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets), subject to certain exceptions. Specified foreign financial assets generally include any financial account maintained with a non-U.S. financial institution and should also include the ordinary shares and rights if they are not held in an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties, and the period of limitations on assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes will generally be extended in the event of a failure to comply. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset and other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our ordinary shares and rights.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you if you are a "Non-U.S. Holder." As used herein, the term "Non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our units, ordinary shares or rights (other than a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) who or that is for United States federal income tax purposes:
• a non-resident alien individual (other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates);
• a foreign corporation; or
• an estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder;
but generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. If you are such an individual, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of our securities.
Dividends (including constructive distributions treated as dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. Holder in respect of our ordinary shares generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States). If the dividend, despite being paid by a foreign corporation, is deemed to be U.S. source under Section 861(b)(2)(B) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.861-3(a)(3), then withholding under Sections 871 and 882(a) at 30%, unless lower or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or rights unless such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
Dividends (including constructive distributions treated as dividends) and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at the same regular United States federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
As described under "U.S. Holders - Acquisition of Ordinary Shares Pursuant to Rights," the tax consequences of an acquisition of our ordinary shares pursuant to rights are unclear and will depend on the tax treatment of any initial business combination. In addition, the tax treatment of a right that expires worthless is unclear. Accordingly,
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Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an acquisition of ordinary shares pursuant to rights and the consequences of any initial business combination and the tax treatment of any losses that result if the rights expire worthless.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status may be required to provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder's United States federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding in their particular circumstances.
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is included for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder's particular situation. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares and rights, including the tax consequences under U.S. federal, state and local, estate, non-U.S. and other tax laws and tax treaties and the possible effects of changes in U.S. or other tax laws.
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UNDERWRITING
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is acting as representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement dated December 16, 2025, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to such underwriter, the number of units set forth opposite the underwriter's name.
|
Underwriter |
Number of |
|
|
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. |
20,000,000 |
|
|
Total |
20,000,000 |
We have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain of its accountable and out-of-pocket costs for this offering up to an aggregate expense allowance of $127,785.
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the units included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the units (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the units.
The offering of the units by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part.
Pricing of the Offering
We have been advised by the underwriters that they propose to offer the units to the public at the initial offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may allow dealers concessions not in excess of $0.12 per unit and the dealers may re-allow a concession not in excess of $0.12 per unit to other dealers. After the initial offering of the units, the representative may change the offering price and other selling terms. The offering of the units by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in part. Sales of any units outside the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters.
Over-allotment Option
If the underwriters sell more units than the total number set forth in the table above, we have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter must purchase a number of additional units approximately proportionate to that underwriters' initial purchase commitment. Any units issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other units that are the subject of this offering.
Lock-up
We, our sponsor and our executive officers and directors have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of the representative, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any units, warrants, ordinary shares or any other securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any units, ordinary shares, founder shares or rights, subject to certain exceptions. The representative in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice, other than in the case of the officers and directors, which shall be with notice. Our sponsor, officers and directors are also subject to separate transfer restrictions on their founder shares and private units pursuant to the letter agreement described herein.
Our sponsor, officers and directors agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any founder shares until the earlier to occur of (A) 180 days after the completion of our initial business combination or (B) subsequent to our initial business combination, (x) if the last sale price of our ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after our initial business combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a
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liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property (except with respect to permitted transferees as described in the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units"). The private units and the units that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (including the underlying securities) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable by our sponsor (as applicable) or their permitted transferees until 30 days after the completion of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under the section of this prospectus entitled "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units").
Except in certain limited circumstances, no member of the sponsor (including the non-managing sponsor investors) may transfer all or any portion of its membership interests in the sponsor. For more information, see "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units".
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (and/or its designees) has also committed to purchase from us 200,000 private units at $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,000. The private units (including the underlying securities) will not be transferable, assignable or saleable until 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination (except with respect to permitted transferees as described herein under "Principal Shareholders - Restrictions on Transfers of Founder Shares and Private Units") and the private units held by Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. will not be exercisable more than five years from the commencement of sales in this offering in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8). The purchase of the private units will take place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of this offering. Such private units will be considered underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. Such private units will be subject to lock-up restrictions, as required by FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1) and may not be sold during the offering, or sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or commencement of sales of the offering, except as provided in FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2). Cantor Fitzgerald & Co is entitled under the registration rights agreement to demand and "piggy-back" resale registration rights Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. may not exercise its demand and "piggy-back" registration rights after five and seven years, respectively, after the commencement of sales in this offering and may not exercise its demand rights on more than one occasion.
The Company had initially engaged D. Boral to act as the lead underwriter in connection with this public offering. In May 2025, D. Boral and the Company agreed to terminate such engagement, and in consideration therefore, the sponsor has agreed to transfer 10,000 founder shares to D. Boral in full settlement of any fees incurred by D. Boral in connection with their engagement (the "D. Boral Shares"). The D. Boral Shares will be subject to the same lock-up and transfer restrictions as the other holders of founder shares.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our securities. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the units was determined by negotiations between us and the representative. The determination of our per unit offering price was more arbitrary than would typically be the case if we were an operating company. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were the history and prospects of companies whose principal business is the acquisition of other companies, prior offerings of those companies, our management, our capital structure, and currently prevailing general conditions in equity securities markets, including current market valuations of publicly traded companies considered comparable to our company. We cannot assure you, however, that the price at which the units, ordinary shares or rights will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the initial public offering price or that an active trading market in our units, ordinary shares or rights will develop and continue after this offering.
Listing
We have applied to have our units listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "IRHOU" and, once the ordinary shares and rights begin separate trading, under the symbols "IRHO" and "IRHOR," respectively. If approved for listing, we anticipate that our units will be listed on NASDAQ on or promptly after the effective date of the registration statement. Following the date the ordinary shares and rights are eligible to trade separately, we anticipate that the ordinary shares and rights will be listed separately and as a unit on NASDAQ.
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Discounts
The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
|
Per Unit |
Total |
|||||||||||
|
Without |
With |
Without |
With |
|||||||||
|
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by us |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
13,000,000 |
$ |
14,950,000 |
||||
|
Other(2) |
$ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|||||||
|
Total |
0.65 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
13,000,000 |
$ |
14,950,000 |
|||||
____________
(1) Includes $0.20 per unit (excluding any units sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units), or $4,000,000 in the aggregate (whether or not the underwriters' option to purchase additional units is exercised), payable to the underwriters upon the closing of this offering. Also includes $0.45 per unit on units other than those sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units and $0.65 per unit on units sold pursuant to the underwriters' option to purchase additional units, or $9,000,000 in the aggregate or up to $10,950,000 in the aggregate if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full payable to Cantor, Fitzgerald & Co. for deferred underwriting commissions to be placed in a trust account located in the United States and released to the Cantor, Fitzgerald & Co. for its own account only upon the completion of an initial business combination.
(2) Additionally, Cantor (and/or its designees) has also committed to purchase from us 200,000 private units at $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,000. Such private units will be considered underwriting compensation in connection with this offering and, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, have been given a value of $0.00 (because the value applied by FINRA to each such private unit in determining underwriting compensation is equal to and offset by the $10.00 per private unit to be paid by Cantor). Such valuation relates solely to such private units for purposes of FINRA Rule 5110 and does not reflect an actual value that may be ascribed to such units in the marketplace.
If we do not complete our initial business combination by the Deadline and subsequently liquidate, the trustee and the underwriters have agreed that (i) they will forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account upon liquidation, and (ii) that the deferred underwriting discounts and commissions will be distributed on a pro rata basis, including interest earned on the funds held in the trust account (less taxes payable), to the public shareholders.
None of the non-managing sponsor investors have expressed to us an interest in purchasing any of the units in this offering and neither us nor the representative has had discussions with any non-managing sponsor investors regarding any purchases of units in this offering. Any potential purchase of the non-managing sponsor membership interests would not be contingent upon the participation in this offering or vice-versa. If the non-managing sponsor investors purchase units in the offering, and depending on how many units are purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors, the post-offering trading volume, volatility and liquidity of our securities may be reduced relative to what they would have been had the units been more widely sold to other public investors. We do not expect any potential purchases of units by non-managing sponsor investors to negatively impact our ability to meet Nasdaq listing eligibility requirements. In addition, the underwriter has full discretion to allocate the units to investors and may determine not to sell any units to the non-managing sponsor investors, and in no case would any of the non-managing sponsor investors be sold more than 9.9% of the units to be sold in this offering. The underwriter would receive the same upfront discounts and commissions and deferred underwriting commissions on units purchased by the non-managing sponsor investors, if any, as it will on the other units sold to the public in this offering. In addition, if the non-managing sponsor investors purchase units in the offering, the non-managing sponsor investors would not have any obligation to vote any of their public shares in favor of our initial business combination. Nevertheless, the non-managing sponsor investors would be incentivized to vote any of their public shares, if any, in favor of a business combination due to their indirect ownership through the sponsor of founder shares, ordinary shares and private placement rights issued as part of the private units. In the event that the non-managing sponsor investors purchase any units (either in the offering or after) and vote them in favor of our initial business combination, fewer votes from other public shareholders would be required to approve our initial business combination. However, because the non-managing sponsor investors are not obligated to continue owning any public shares, if any, following the closing of this offering and are not obligated to vote any public shares, if any, in favor of our initial business combination, we cannot assure you as to how such non-managing sponsor investors will vote on any business combination. Any trading decisions made by any of the foregoing entities will be made by them based on market conditions at the time of the proposed sale or redemption. Cantor's affiliates will not become non-managing sponsor investors or receive any economic or other interest in the sponsor.
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Stabilization and Other Transactions
The underwriters pursuant to Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, may engage in short sale transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids in connection with this offering. These activities may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the units at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Establishing short sales positions may involve either "covered" short sales or "naked" short sales.
"Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters' option to purchase additional units in this offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising the overallotment option or purchasing our units in the open market or from market participants. In determining the source of units to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of units available for purchase in the market as compared to the price at which they may purchase units through the overallotment option.
"Naked" short sales are sales in excess of the option to purchase additional units. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.
A stabilizing bid is a bid for the purchase of units on behalf of the underwriters for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the units. A syndicate covering transaction is the bid for or the purchase of units on behalf of the underwriters to reduce a short position incurred by the underwriters in connection with the offering. Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters' purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our units. As a result, the price of our units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. A penalty bid is an arrangement permitting the underwriters to reclaim the selling concession otherwise accruing to a syndicate member in connection with the offering if the units originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction and therefore have not been effectively placed by such syndicate member.
Neither we, nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our units. The underwriters are not obligated to engage in these activities and, if commenced, may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering payable by us will be $700,000, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions. We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of its out-of-pocket costs for this offering up to an aggregate reimbursement allowance of $75,000, including, but not limited to, legal fees related to the review by FINRA and the expenses of investigations and background checks of our principals, not to exceed $4,000 per principal (in the case of a U.S. jurisdiction) or $5,000 per principal (in the case of non-U.S. jurisdiction).
We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
Market Making
The underwriters have advised us that, following the completion of this offering, they currently intend to make a market in the units as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and the underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice in their sole discretion. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the units, that you will be able to sell any of the units held by you at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.
Other Terms
The underwriting agreement provides that following the completion of this offering, the obligations of the underwriters with respect to this offering will be deemed to be satisfied and the underwriters are not bound by any commitment or obligation to offer or sell to the public any of our securities or of any target business in an initial business combination or otherwise solicit holders of our securities or any target business in an initial business combination to approve the business combination.
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We are not under any contractual obligation to engage any of the underwriters to provide any services for us after this offering, and have no present intent to do so. Upon consummation of this offering, the funds will be deposited into a U.S. based trust account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Additionally, any of the underwriters may introduce us to potential target businesses or assist us in raising additional capital in the future. If any of the underwriters provide services to us after this offering, we may pay such underwriter fair and reasonable fees that would be determined at that time in an arm's length negotiation; provided that no agreement will be entered into with any of the underwriters and no fees for such services will be paid to any of the underwriters prior to the date that is 60 days from the date of this prospectus, unless such payment would not be deemed underwriters' compensation in connection with this offering and we may pay the underwriters of this offering or any entity with which they are affiliated a finder's fee or other compensation for services rendered to us in connection with the completion of a business combination.
Some of the underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates, including in connection with acting in an advisory capacity or as a potential financing source in conjunction with our potential acquisition of a company. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, some of the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of the issuer (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with the issuer. Some of the underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.
Selling Restrictions
Canada
This prospectus constitutes an "exempt offering document" as defined in and for the purposes of applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this prospectus or on the merits of the securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence.
Canadian investors are advised that this prospectus has been prepared in reliance on section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33 - 105 Underwriting Conflicts ("NI 33 - 105"). Pursuant to section 3A.3 of NI 33 - 105, this prospectus is exempt from the requirement that the issuer and the underwriter(s) provide investors with certain conflicts of interest disclosure pertaining to "connected issuer" and/or "related issuer" relationships that may exist between the issuer and the underwriter(s) as would otherwise be required pursuant to subsection 2.1(1) of NI 33 - 105.
Resale Restrictions
The offer and sale of the securities in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that the issuer prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of the securities acquired by a Canadian investor in this offering must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, pursuant to a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the securities outside of Canada.
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Representations of Purchasers
Each Canadian investor who purchases the securities will be deemed to have represented to the issuer and the underwriter(s) that the investor (i) is purchasing the securities as principal, or is deemed to be purchasing as principal in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 45 - 106 Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45 - 106") or, in Ontario, as such term is defined in section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario); and (iii) is a "permitted client" as such term is defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31 - 103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.
Taxation and Eligibility for Investment
Any discussion of taxation and related matters contained in this prospectus does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a Canadian investor when deciding to purchase the securities and, in particular, does not address any Canadian tax considerations. No representation or warranty is hereby made as to the tax consequences to a resident, or deemed resident, of Canada of an investment in the securities or with respect to the eligibility of the securities for investment by such investor under relevant Canadian federal and provincial legislation and regulations.
Rights of Action for Damages or Rescission
Securities legislation in certain of the Canadian jurisdictions provides certain purchasers of securities pursuant to an offering memorandum (such as this prospectus), including where the distribution involves an "eligible foreign security" as such term is defined in Ontario Securities Commission Rule 45 - 501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and in Multilateral Instrument 45 - 107 Listing Representation and Statutory Rights of Action Disclosure Exemptions, as applicable, with a remedy for damages or rescission, or both, in addition to any other rights they may have at law, where the offering memorandum, or other offering document that constitutes an offering memorandum, and any amendment thereto, contains a "misrepresentation" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. These remedies, or notice with respect to these remedies, must be exercised or delivered, as the case may be, by the purchaser within the time limits prescribed under, and are subject to limitations and defences under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, these remedies are in addition to and without derogation from any other right or remedy available at law to the investor.
Language of Documents
Upon receipt of this document, each Canadian investor hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce document, chaque investisseur Canadien confirme par les présentes qu'il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobilières décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d'achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglais seulement.
Australia
This document does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Australia's Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the "Corporations Act") of Australia. This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to the categories of exempt persons set out below. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:
You confirm and warrant that you are either:
• a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;
• a "sophisticated investor" under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant's certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made; or
• a "professional investor" within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act.
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To the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance.
You warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the shares issued to you pursuant to this document for resale in Australia within 12 months of those securities being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.
European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each a "Member State"), no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offer described herein in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that the securities may be offered to the public in that Member State at any time:
(i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;
(ii) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or
(iii) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,
provided that no such offer of securities shall require the issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
Each person in a Member State who acquires any securities in the offer or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the issuer and the underwriters that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation.
In the case of any securities being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the issuer and the underwriters that the securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in a Member State to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale. Neither the issuer nor the underwriters have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final placement of securities contemplated in this document.
The issuer and the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to any securities in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
In Member States, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation ("Qualified Investors"). This document must not be acted on or relied on in any Member State by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available in any Member State only to Qualified Investors and will be engaged in only with such persons.
Hong Kong
No securities have been, may be or will be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent; or to "professional investors" as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the "SFO") and any rules made thereunder; or in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" as defined in
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the Companies (Winding UP and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the "C(WUMP)O"), or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O. No document, invitation or advertisement relating to the securities has been issued or may be issued or will be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.
This document has not been and will not be registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this document may not be issued, circulated or distributed in Hong Kong, and the securities may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. Each person acquiring the securities will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the securities, to confirm that he is aware of the restriction on offers of the securities described in this document and the relevant offering documents and that he is not acquiring, and has not been offered any securities in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions.
Japan
The offering has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended) (the "FIEA"), and the Initial Purchaser will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means, unless otherwise provided herein, any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Singapore
This document has not been and will not be lodged or registered with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this document and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or the invitation for subscription or purchase of the securities may not be issued, circulated or distributed, nor may the securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person as defined under Section 275(2) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA and where (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of any other applicable provision of the SFA. In the event that you are not an investor falling within any of the categories set out above, please return this document immediately. You may not forward or circulate this document to any other person in Singapore.
No offer is made to you with a view to the securities being subsequently offered for sale to any other party. There are on-sale restrictions that may be applicable to investors who acquire securities. As such, investors are advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the SFA relating to resale restrictions and comply accordingly.
Where the securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
• a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined under Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
• a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,
securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the securities under Section 275 of the SFA except:
• to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
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• where no consideration is given for the transfer;
• where the transfer is by operation of law;
• as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or
• as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.
Switzerland
The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the securities or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the issuer or the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, or FINMA, and the offer of securities has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of securities.
Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In the State of Israel, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the shares is directed only at, investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and "qualified individuals", each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors will be required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
United Kingdom
In relation to the United Kingdom, no securities have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offer described herein to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the securities which has been approved by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, except that the securities may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:
(i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;
(ii) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or
(iii) in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the "FSMA"),
provided that no such offer of the securities shall require the issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
Each person in the United Kingdom who acquires any securities in the offer or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the issuer and the underwriters that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
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In the case of any securities being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with the issuer and the underwriters that the securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer to the public other than their offer or resale in the United Kingdom to qualified investors, in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale. Neither the issuer nor the underwriters have authorised, nor do they authorise, the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters which constitute the final placement of securities contemplated in this document.
The issuer and the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in relation to the securities in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any securities and the expression "UK Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
In the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation who are also: (i) persons who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2) of the Order; or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available in the United Kingdom only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with such persons.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in connection with the issue or sale of the securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. All applicable provisions of the FSMA and the Order must be complied with in respect of anything done by any person in relation to the securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Cayman Islands
No offer or invitation, whether directly or indirectly, is being or may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of our securities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Loeb & Loeb LLP is acting as our counsel in connection with the registration of our securities under the Securities Act, and as such, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this offering. Maples and Calder (Cayman) LLP, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered in this prospectus with respect to the ordinary shares and matters of Cayman Islands law. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP advised the underwriters in connection with the offering of the securities.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. (formerly Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II) at November 30, 2024 and for the period from November 26, 2024 (inception) through November 30, 2024 included in this prospectus have been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report, thereon (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the ability of Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. (formerly Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II) to continue as a going concern, as described in Note 1 to the financial statements), appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given upon such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities we are offering by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Whenever we make reference in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are materially complete but may not include a description of all aspects of such contracts, agreements or other documents, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract, agreement or other document.
Upon effectiveness of this offering, we will be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and will file annual, quarterly and current event reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
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IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
PAGE |
||
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID:206) |
F-2 |
|
|
Financial Statements: |
||
|
Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024 |
F-3 |
|
|
Statements of Operations for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and for the |
F-4 |
|
|
Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Deficit for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 |
F-5 |
|
|
Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and for the |
F-6 |
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) |
F-7 - F-16 |
F-1
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. (formerly Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II)
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. (formerly Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II) (the "Company") as of November 30, 2024, and the related statements of operations, stockholder's deficit, and cash flows for the period from November 26, 2024 (inception) through November 30, 2024, 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 November 30, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from November 26, 2024 (inception) through November 30, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Matter
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2024.
Houston, Texas
May 23, 2025
F-2
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IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
BALANCE SHEETS
|
As of |
As of |
|||||||
|
ASSETS |
||||||||
|
Cash |
$ |
317,098 |
$ |
- |
||||
|
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
317,098 |
- |
||||||
|
Deferred offering costs |
202,908 |
15,000 |
||||||
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ |
520,006 |
$ |
15,000 |
||||
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
||||||||
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
||||||||
|
Accrued expenses |
$ |
53,592 |
$ |
1,275 |
||||
|
Accrued offering costs |
57,916 |
- |
||||||
|
Promissory note - related party |
300,000 |
15,000 |
||||||
|
Due to Sponsor |
252,101 |
- |
||||||
|
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
663,609 |
16,275 |
||||||
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) |
||||||||
|
SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
||||||||
|
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding |
- |
- |
||||||
|
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding as of August 31, 2025 and November 30, 2024(1)(2) |
575 |
575 |
||||||
|
Stock subscription receivable |
- |
(25,000 |
) |
|||||
|
Additional paid-in capital |
24,425 |
24,425 |
||||||
|
Accumulated deficit |
(168,603 |
) |
(1,275 |
) |
||||
|
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
(143,603 |
) |
(1,275 |
) |
||||
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
$ |
520,006 |
$ |
15,000 |
||||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of 750,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the initial shareholder to the extent that the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised in full. (Note 6)
(2) On May 8, 2025, through a share recapitalization, the Company surrendered 6,571,429 ordinary shares, as a result of which the Sponsor has purchased and holds an aggregate of 5,750,000 ordinary shares. All share and per-share data have been retrospectively presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-3
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
For the |
For the |
|||||||
|
General, formation and operational costs |
$ |
167,328 |
$ |
1,275 |
||||
|
Net loss |
$ |
(167,328 |
) |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
||
|
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted(1)(2) |
5,000,000 |
5,000,000 |
||||||
|
Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary shares |
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
||
____________
(1) Excludes an aggregate of 750,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the initial shareholder to the extent that the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised in full. (Note 6)
(2) On May 8, 2025, through a share recapitalization, the Company surrendered 6,571,429 ordinary shares, as a result of which the Sponsor has purchased and holds an aggregate of 5,750,000 ordinary shares. All share and per-share data have been retrospectively presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
|
|
Shares |
Additional |
Accumulated |
Total |
||||||||||||||||
|
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance at December 1, 2024 |
5,750,000 |
$ |
575 |
$ |
(25,000 |
) |
$ |
24,425 |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
||||||
|
Payment of share subscription receivable |
- |
- |
25,000 |
- |
- |
25,000 |
||||||||||||||
|
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(72,670 |
) |
(72,670 |
) |
||||||||||||
|
Balance at February 28, 2025 |
5,750,000 |
$ |
575 |
$ |
- |
$ |
24,425 |
$ |
(73,945 |
) |
$ |
(48,945 |
) |
|||||||
|
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(23,187 |
) |
(23,187 |
) |
||||||||||||
|
Balance at May 31, 2025 |
5,750,000 |
$ |
575 |
$ |
- |
$ |
24,425 |
$ |
(97,132 |
) |
$ |
(72,132 |
) |
|||||||
|
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(71,471 |
) |
(71,471 |
) |
||||||||||||
|
Balance at August 31, 2025 (unaudited) |
5,750,000 |
$ |
575 |
$ |
- |
$ |
24,425 |
$ |
(168,603 |
) |
$ |
(143,603 |
) |
|||||||
FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2024 (INCEPTION) THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2024
|
|
Shares |
Additional |
Accumulated |
Total |
||||||||||||||||
|
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance at November 26, 2024 (Inception) |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
|||||||||
|
Ordinary Shares issued to initial shareholder(1) |
5,750,000 |
575 |
(25,000 |
) |
24,425 |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||
|
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,275 |
) |
(1,275 |
) |
||||||||||||
|
Balance at November 30, 2024 |
5,750,000 |
$ |
575 |
$ |
(25,000 |
) |
$ |
24,425 |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
||||||
____________
(1) This number includes an aggregate of 750,000 ordinary shares subject to forfeiture by the initial shareholder to the extent that the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised in full. (Note 6)
(2) On May 8, 2025, through a share recapitalization, the Company surrendered 6,571,429 ordinary shares, as a result of which the Sponsor has purchased and holds an aggregate of 5,750,000 ordinary shares. All share and per-share data have been retrospectively presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
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IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
For the |
For the |
|||||||
|
Cash flow from operating activities: |
||||||||
|
Net loss |
$ |
(167,328 |
) |
$ |
(1,275 |
) |
||
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
|
Changes in current assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
|
Accrued expenses |
52,317 |
1,275 |
||||||
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
(115,011 |
) |
- |
|||||
|
Cash flow from financing activities: |
||||||||
|
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares to Sponsor |
25,000 |
- |
||||||
|
Proceeds from promissory note - related party |
285,000 |
- |
||||||
|
Due to Sponsor |
252,101 |
- |
||||||
|
Payment of offering costs |
(129,992 |
) |
- |
|||||
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
432,109 |
- |
||||||
|
Net Change in Cash |
317,098 |
- |
||||||
|
Cash at beginning of period |
- |
- |
||||||
|
Cash at end of period |
$ |
317,098 |
$ |
- |
||||
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: |
||||||||
|
Offering costs included in accrued offering costs |
$ |
57,916 |
$ |
- |
||||
|
Payment of offering costs by the Sponsor |
$ |
- |
$ |
15,000 |
||||
|
Ordinary shares issued in exchange for subscription stock receivable |
$ |
- |
$ |
25,000 |
||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
F-6
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 1 - Organization, Plan of Business Operations and Going Concern Consideration
Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp. II (the "Company") was incorporated in Delaware on November 26, 2024 as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or entities (a "Business Combination") and transferred by way of continuation to the Cayman Islands as an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on July 25, 2025. On September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 30, 2025, the Company merged with Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp, which is the surviving entity, and the continuing company.
As noted above, on September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 18, 2025, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC (the" Sponsor"), contributed $32,000 for the issuance of 5,750,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share (the "ordinary shares") at approximately $0.0056 per share, of which up to 750,000 ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full or in part, so that the initial shareholders will continue to own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Propose Public Offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in the Proposed Public Offering). Previously, Bengochea SPAC Sponsors II LLC, the "previous sponsor" held 5,750,000 ordinary shares in Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp II, which shares are now cancelled. On September 30, 2025, the Company merged with Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp, which is the surviving entity, and the continuing company.
The financials represent the financial information for Iron Horse Acquisition Corp II as of August 31, 2025, prior to the merger. Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805-50, Business Combinations, provides specific guidance on accounting for certain transactions related to business combinations, including asset acquisitions (transactions not meeting the business definition) and pushdown accounting (an optional method to reflect a parent's acquisition in a subsidiary's financial statements), and addresses transactions between entities under common control. This transaction is being accounted for as a common control transaction whereby the assets and liabilities are recorded at their historical cost rather than fair value and net assets received are reported retrospectively presented.
The Company's efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region although it intends to initially focus on target companies within the media and entertainment industry with a primary focus on the United States, and in particular on identifying attractive targets among content studios and film production, family entertainment, animation, music, gaming, e-sports, talent management, and talent-facing brands and businesses.
As of August 31, 2025, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All activity from November 26, 2024 (inception) through August 31, 2025 relates to the Company's formation and the proposed public offering described below. The Company has selected November 30 as its fiscal year-end.
The Company's ability to commence operations is contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public offering of up to 20,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit (or 23,000,000 units if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) ("Units"), which is discussed in Note 3 ("Proposed Public Offering"). Simultaneously with the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the representative of the underwriters, will commit that it and/or its designees will purchase 570,000 private placement units ("Private Placement Units") at a price of $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $5,700,000 (whether or not if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). Of those 570,000 Private Placement Units, our sponsor has agreed to purchase 370,000 units and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. has agreed to purchase 200,000 Private Placement Units. All of the proceeds the Company receives from the sale of Private Placement Units will be used to fund operating expenses prior to a potential merger transaction and will not be placed in the trust account described below. The Company's management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the sale of Private Placement Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. The Company intends to apply to have the Units listed on the Nasdaq Global Market ("NASDAQ"). Pursuant to the NASDAQ listing rules, the Company's initial Business Combination must be with a target business or businesses whose collective fair market
F-7
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 1 - Organization, Plan of Business Operations and Going Concern Consideration (cont.)
value is at least equal to 80% of the balance in the trust account at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for such Business Combination (net of taxes payable and deferred underwriting commissions), although this may entail simultaneous acquisitions of several target businesses. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to effect a Business Combination successfully.
Upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering, management has agreed that certain of the proceeds from the Units sold in the Proposed Public Offering, will be held in a United States-based trust account ("Trust Account") and held as cash items or invested in United States government treasury bills, bonds or notes, having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Company's initial Business Combination (ii) the redemption of any ordinary shares included in the Units being sold in the Proposed Public Offering that have been properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company's memorandum and articles of association to modify the substance or timing of its obligation to redeem 100% of such ordinary shares if it does not complete the Initial Business Combination within 24 months from the closing of the Proposed Public Offering; and (iii) the Company's failure to consummate a Business Combination within the prescribed time. If the Company is unable to consummate an initial business combination within such time period, the Company will redeem 100% of its outstanding public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the trust account, 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 for taxes (and less up to $100,000 of interest which can be used for liquidation expenses and $175,000 for additional working capital), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, subject to applicable law and as further described herein, and then seek to dissolve and liquidate. Placing funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors, service providers, prospective target businesses or other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that such persons will execute such agreements.
The remaining net proceeds (not held in the Trust Account) may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and continuing general and administrative expenses. Additionally, certain interest earned on the Trust Account balance may be released to the Company to pay the Company's tax obligations.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target business, is required to provide shareholders who acquired ordinary shares sold as part of the units in this offering ("Public Shares") in the Proposed Public Offering ("Public Shareholders") with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata share of the Trust Account. The holders of the Founder Shares will agree to vote any shares they then hold in favor of any proposed Business Combination and will waive any redemption rights with respect to these shares pursuant to letter agreements to be executed prior to the Proposed Public Offering.
In connection with any proposed Business Combination, the Company will seek shareholder approval of an initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which Public Shareholders may seek to redeem their Public Shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed Business Combination. Alternatively, the Company may conduct a tender offer and allow redemptions in connection therewith. If the Company seeks shareholder approval of an initial Business Combination, any Public Shareholder voting either for or against such proposed Business Combination or not voting at all will be entitled to demand that his Public Shares be redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially $10.00 per share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company or necessary to pay its taxes). Holders of rights sold as part of the Units will not be entitled to vote on the Proposed Business Combination and will have no redemption or liquidation rights with respect to the ordinary shares underlying such rights.
If the Company is unable to complete its initial Business Combination and expends all of the net proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Units not deposited in the Trust Account, without taking into account any interest earned on the Trust Account, the Company expects that the initial per-share redemption price for ordinary shares will be $10.00. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to claims of the Company's
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Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 1 - Organization, Plan of Business Operations and Going Concern Consideration (cont.)
creditors that are in preference to the claims of the Company's shareholders. In addition, if the Company is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against it that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in its bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of the Company's common shareholders. Therefore, the actual per-share redemption price may be less than approximately $10.00.
Going Concern Consideration
As of August 31, 2025, the Company had cash of $317,098 and a working capital deficit of $346,511 (excluding deferred offering costs). As of November 30, 2024, the Company had no cash and a working capital deficit of $16,275 (excluding deferred offering costs). The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its financing and acquisition plans. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management plans to address this uncertainty through a Proposed Public Offering as discussed in Note 3. There is no assurance that the Company's plans to raise capital or to consummate a Business Combination will be successful within the Combination Period. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Risks and Uncertainties
The United States and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the geopolitical instability resulting from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ("NATO") deployed additional military forces to eastern Europe, and the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries have announced various sanctions and restrictive actions against Russia, Belarus and related individuals and entities, including the removal of certain financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) payment system. Certain countries, including the United States, have also provided and may continue to provide military aid or other assistance to Ukraine and to Israel, increasing geopolitical tensions among a number of nations. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting measures that have been taken, and could be taken in the future, by NATO, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Israel and its neighboring states and other countries have created global security concerns that could have a lasting impact on regional and global economies. Although the length and impact of the ongoing conflicts are highly unpredictable, they could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions and increased cyber-attacks against U.S. companies. Additionally, any resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets.
Any of the above-mentioned factors, or any other negative impact on the global economy, capital markets or other geopolitical conditions resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict and subsequent sanctions or related actions, could adversely affect the Company's search for an initial Business Combination and any target business with which the Company may ultimately consummate an initial Business Combination.
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The accompanying unaudited financial statements as of August 31, 2025 has been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and the rules of the SEC. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of a normal accruals), considered for a fair presentation have been included. The interim results for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending November 30, 2025 or for any future periods.
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Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an "emerging growth company," as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (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 Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company's financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US 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 revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near-term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ 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. As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, there was $317,098 and $0 in cash and no cash equivalents, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," approximates the carrying amounts represented in the accompanying balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes," which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
F-10
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company's management determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company's major tax jurisdiction. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of August 31, 2025, there were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for 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.
Effective July 25, 2025, the Company is considered to be an exempted Cayman Islands company with no connection to any other taxable jurisdiction and is presently not subject to income taxes or income tax filing requirements in the Cayman Islands or the United States. Prior to such date the Company was a Delaware entity and the provision for income taxes was deemed to be de minimis for the for the nine months ended August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and for the period from November 26, 2024 (inception) through November 30, 2024.
Net Loss per ordinary shares
Net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, excluding ordinary shares subject to forfeiture. Weighted average shares were reduced for the effect of an aggregate of 750,000 ordinary shares that are subject to forfeiture if the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters (see Note 6). At August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, the Company did not have any dilutive securities and other contracts that could, potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares and then share in the earnings of the Company. As a result, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share for the period presented.
Deferred Offering Costs
The Company complies with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") Topic 5A - "Expenses of Offering". Deferred offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed Public Offering and that will be charged to shareholders' equity upon the completion of the Proposed Public Offering. Should the Proposed Public Offering prove to be unsuccessful, these deferred costs, as well as additional expenses to be incurred, will be charged to operations.
Redeemable Share Classification
The Company's ordinary shares that will be sold as part of the Units in the Proposed Public Offering ("public ordinary shares") contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such public shares in connection with the Company's liquidation, or if there is a shareholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Company's initial business combination. In accordance with ASC 480-10-S99, the Company classifies public ordinary shares subject to redemption outside of permanent equity as the redemption provisions are not solely within the control of the Company. The public ordinary shares sold as part of the Units in the Proposed Public Offering will be issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., Public Rights) and as such, the initial carrying value of public ordinary shares classified as temporary equity will be the allocated proceeds determined in accordance with ASC 470-20. The public ordinary shares are subject to ASC 480-10-S99 and are currently not redeemable as the redemption is contingent upon the occurrence of events mentioned above. According to ASC 480-10-S99-15, no subsequent adjustment is needed if it is not probable that the instrument will become redeemable.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging". Derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value on the grant date and re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the
F-11
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
fair value reported in the statement 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 assets and liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instruments could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
The over-allotment option is deemed to be a freestanding financial instrument indexed on the contingently redeemable shares and will be accounted for as a liability pursuant to ASC 480.
Share Rights
The Company will account for the Public and Private Placement Rights to be issued in connection with the Proposed Public Offering and the private placement in accordance with the guidance contained in FASB ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging". Accordingly, the Company evaluated and classified the rights under equity treatment at their assigned value.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." The amendments in this ASU require disclosures, on an annual and interim basis, of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), as well as the aggregate amount of other segment items included in the reported measure of segment profit or loss. The ASU requires that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Public entities will be required to provide all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods, and entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this ASU and existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 on December 1, 2024.
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
Note 3 - Proposed Public Offering
The Proposed Public Offering calls for the Company to offer for public sale up to 20,000,000 Units at a proposed offering price of $10.00 per Unit. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, solely to cover over-allotments, if any. Each Unit consists of one share of the Company's ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, and one right to one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon the consummation of the Company's initial business combination, so you must hold rights in multiples of 10 in order to receive shares for all of your rights upon closing of a combination.
Note 4 - Private Placement
The Sponsor and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., will commit to purchase 570,000 Private Placement Units (whether or not if the underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in full) at $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $5,700,000 from the Company. Of those 570,000 Private Placement Units, our sponsor has agreed to purchase 370,000 units and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. has agreed to purchase 200,000 Private Placement Units. These purchases will take place simultaneously with the consummation of the Proposed Public Offering. All of the proceeds received from the sale of the Private Placement Units will be used to fund operating costs of the Company in advance of a Business Combination and will not be placed in the Trust Account. The Private Placement Units will be identical to the units sold as a part of the Units being offered in the Proposed Public Offering.
F-12
Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies
Registration Rights
The holders of the Founders Shares issued and outstanding, as well as the holders of the private placement units, including those to be issued upon conversion of the rights, and any rights the initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans made to the Company (and all underlying securities), will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Proposed Public Offering. The holders of a majority of these securities are entitled to make up to two demands that the Company register such securities. The holders of the majority of the Founders Shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which these ordinary shares are to be released from escrow. The holders of a majority of the public and private rights issued to our initial shareholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment of working capital loans made to the Company (or underlying securities) can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the Company consummates a Business Combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the underwriter may only make a demand on one occasion and only during the five-year period beginning on the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, the holders have certain "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to our consummation of a business combination; provided, however, that the underwriter may participate in a "piggy-back" registration only during the seven-year period beginning on the effective date of the Proposed Public Offering. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Underwriting Agreement
The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Proposed Public Offering to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Proposed Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriter will be entitled to a cash underwriting discount of 2.0% of the gross proceeds of the Proposed Public Offering, or $4,000,000 (whether or not if the underwriter's over-allotment is exercised in full), payable upon the closing of the Proposed Public Offering.
Additionally, the underwriter will be entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 4.5% of gross proceeds, or $9,000,000 in the aggregate (or $10,950,000 in the aggregate if the underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in full). The deferred underwriting discount will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event the Company completes its Initial Business Combination.
Note 6 - Related Party Transactions
Founder's Shares
On November 29, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 12,321,429 ordinary shares (the "Founder Shares") for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. As of November 30, 2024, the $25,000 had not been received for the issuance of the Founder Shares and it is presented as a subscription receivable on the equity statement. Subsequently on December 27, 2024, the Company received the $25,000 for the Founder Shares. On May 8, 2025, through a share recapitalization, the Company surrendered 6,571,429 ordinary shares, as a result of which the Sponsor has purchased and holds an aggregate of 5,750,000 ordinary shares. All share and per share data have been retrospectively presented. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 750,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the holders to the extent that the underwriters' over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the holders will collectively own 20% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming the initial shareholders do not purchase any Public Shares in the Proposed Public Offering. The holders of the Founder Shares will agree not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares (except to certain permitted transferees) until (i) 180 days after the completion of a Business and (ii) if, subsequent to a Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company's shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
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Table of Contents
IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 6 - Related Party Transactions (cont.)
The Company had initially engaged D. Boral Capital LLC ("D. Boral") to act as the lead underwriter in connection with the Proposed Public Offering. In May 2025, D. Boral and the Company agreed to terminate such engagement, and in consideration therefore, the Sponsor has agreed to transfer 10,000 founder shares to D. Boral in full settlement of any fees incurred by D. Boral in connection with their engagement (the "D. Boral Shares"). The D. Boral Shares will be subject to the same lock-up and transfer restrictions as the other holders of founder shares.
Promissory Note - Related Party
On November 29, 2024, as amended on May 15, 2025, the Company entered into a promissory note with the Sponsor in which the Sponsor may loan the Company up to $300,000. The promissory note is non-interest bearing, and due the earlier of October 31, 2025 or the date with the Company consummates the Proposed Public Offering. As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, the Company owes $300,000 and $15,000, respectively, under the promissory note. In September 2025, the Company repaid $5,399 of this amount, with the remaining $294,601 outstanding and payable to the Sponsor.
Due to Sponsor
As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited), the Sponsor had deposited $252,101 in excess of the existing promissory note. In September 2025, the Company repaid the full $252,101 to the Sponsor.
Working Capital Loans
In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Shareholders, the Sponsor, the Company's officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds from time to time or at any time, as may be required ("Working Capital Loans"). Each Working Capital Loan would be evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest, or, at holder's discretion, if there are excess proceeds, upon consummation of this offering. In the event that the initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts, but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. These loans would be repaid at completion of the initial Business Combination. As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, no Working Capital Loans were outstanding.
Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity
Preference Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preference shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share with such designation, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company's board of directors. As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, there are no shares of preference shares issued and outstanding.
Ordinary Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of August 31, 2025 (unaudited) and November 30, 2024, 5,750,000 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. The issued and outstanding shares includes 750,000 of which are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised in full so that the holders of the Founder Shares will represent approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares after the Proposed Public Offering (assuming they do not purchase any units in this offering). All of these shares will be placed into an escrow account on the closing of the Proposed Public Offering. Subject to certain limited exceptions, these shares will not be transferred, assigned, sold, or released from escrow for a period ending on the 180-day anniversary of the date of the consummation of the initial business
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IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 7 - Shareholders' Equity (cont.)
combination, or earlier if, subsequent to the initial business combination, the Company consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company's shareholders having the right to exchange their ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.
Rights
Each holder of a right will receive one-tenth (1/10) of one ordinary share upon consummation of a Business Combination, even if the holder of such right redeemed all shares held by it in connection with a Business Combination. No fractional shares will be issued upon exchange of the rights. No additional consideration will be required to be paid by a holder of rights in order to receive its additional shares upon consummation of a Business Combination as the consideration related thereto has been included in the unit purchase price paid for by investors in the Proposed Public Offering. If the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Business Combination in which the Company will not be the surviving entity, the definitive agreement will provide for the holders of rights to receive the same per share consideration the holders of the ordinary shares will receive in the transaction on an as-converted into ordinary shares basis and each holder of a right will be required to affirmatively convert its rights in order to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share underlying each right (without paying additional consideration).
Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the rights. If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and the Company liquidates the funds held in the Trust Account, holders of rights will not receive any of such funds with respect to their rights, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company's assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such rights. Accordingly, the rights may expire worthless.
Note 8 - Segment Information
ASC Topic 280, "Segment Reporting," establishes standards for companies to report in their financial statement information about operating segments, products, services, geographic areas, and major customers. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the Company's CODM, or group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.
The Company's CODM has been identified as the Chief Financial Officer ("CODM"), who reviews the assets, operating results, and financial metrics for the Company as a whole to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, management has determined that the Company only has one operating segment.
The CODM assesses performance for the single segment and decides how to allocate resources based on net income or loss that also is reported on the statement of operations as net income or loss. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total assets. When evaluating the Company's performance and making key decisions regarding resource allocation the CODM reviews several key metrics, which include the following:
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For the |
For the |
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General, formation and operational costs |
$ |
167,328 |
$ |
1,275 |
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IRON HORSE ACQUISITION II CORP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AUGUST 31, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 8 - Segment Information (cont.)
General, formation and operational costs are reviewed and monitored by the CODM to manage and forecast cash to ensure enough capital is available to complete a Proposed Public Offering and eventually a Business Combination within the business combination period. The CODM also reviews general, formation and operational costs to manage, maintain and enforce all contractual agreements to ensure costs are aligned with all agreements and budget. General, formation and operational costs, as reported on the statement of operations, are the significant segment expenses provided to the CODM on a regular basis.
All other segment items included in net income or loss are reported on the statement of operations and described within their respective disclosures.
Note 9 - Subsequent Events
The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this review, other than as noted below, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
On September 12, 2025, Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp. was incorporated in the Cayman Islands. On September 30, 2025, the Company merged with Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp, which is the surviving entity, and the continuing company, and it is now incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company. On September 29, 2025, IRHO SPAC Sponsor LLC, contributed $32,000 for the issuance of 5,750,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share (the "ordinary shares") at approximately $0.0056 per share, of which up to 750,000 ordinary shares are subject to forfeiture to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised by the underwriters in full or in part. Previously, Bengochea SPAC Sponsors II LLC, the "previous sponsor" held 5,750,000 ordinary shares in Iron Horse Acquisitions Corp II, which shares are now cancelled.
In September 2025, the Company repaid in full the amount due to the Sponsor of $252,101 and repaid $5,399 on the promissory note, with the remaining balance still outstanding.
On October 1, 2025 the Company entered into a promissory note with the Sponsor for $300,000. The promissory note is non-interest bearing, and due the earlier of April 30, 2026 or the date with the Company consummates the Proposed Public Offering.
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20,000,000 Units
Iron Horse Acquisition II Corp
_______________________
PROSPECTUS
_______________________
Book-Running Manager
Cantor
December 16, 2025
Until January 10, 2026 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.