The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited
consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto which are
included in "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"
of this Amendment. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis
set forth below includes forward-looking statements. Our actual results may
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of many factors, including those set forth under "Special Note
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in
this Amendment.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Amendment includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are
not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly
Report including, without limitation, statements in this "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy and the plans and
objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.
Words such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "seek"
and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future
events or future performance, but reflect management's current beliefs, based on
information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events,
performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Risk
Factors" section. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
43
Restatement
In the SEC Staff Statement, the SEC Staff expressed its view that certain terms
and conditions common to SPAC warrants may require the warrants to be classified
as liabilities on the SPAC's balance sheet as opposed to equity. Since issuance
on November 17, 2020, our warrants were accounted for as equity within our
balance sheet, and after discussion and evaluation, including with our
independent auditors, we have concluded that our warrants should be presented as
liabilities with subsequent fair value remeasurement.
Therefore, the Company, in consultation with its Audit Committee, concluded that
its previously issued financial statements for the period ended December 31,
2020 should be restated because of a misapplication in the guidance around
accounting for the warrants and should no longer be relied upon.
Historically, the warrants were reflected as a component of equity as opposed to
liabilities on the balance sheets and the statements of operations did not
include the subsequent non-cash changes in estimated fair value of the warrants,
based on our application of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging,
Contracts in Entity's Own Equity ("ASC 815-40). The views expressed in the SEC
Staff Statement were not consistent with the Company's historical interpretation
of the specific provisions within its warrant agreement and the Company's
application of ASC 815-40 to the warrant agreement. We reassessed our accounting
for warrants issued on September 19, 2019, in light of the SEC Staff's published
views. Based on this reassessment, we determined that the warrants should be
classified as liabilities measured at fair value upon issuance, with subsequent
changes in fair value reported in our statement of operations each reporting
period. Accordingly, this Amendment restates our audited financial statements as
of, and for the period ended December 31, 2020.
The restatement is more fully described in Note 2 of the notes to the financial
statements included herein.
Overview
We are a blank check company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on
April 5, 2019 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange,
asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business
combination with one or more target businesses (an "initial business
combination"). We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using
cash from the proceeds of our initial public offering and the sale of the
placement units that occurred simultaneously with the completion of our initial
public offering, our capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, stock and
debt.
We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our
acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to complete a Business
Combination will be successful.
Business Combination Agreement
On November 23, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Business Combination Agreement") by and among the Company, Athena
Technology Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Merger Sub 1"), Athena
Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Merger Sub
2"), and AvePoint, relating to a proposed business combination transaction
between the Company and AvePoint. The Business Combination Agreement was amended
on December 30, 2020.
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, Merger Sub 1 will be merged with
and into AvePoint (the "First Merger"), with AvePoint surviving the First Merger
as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and promptly following the First
Merger, AvePoint will be merged with and into Merger Sub 2 (the "Second
Merger"), with Merger Sub 2 surviving the Second Merger as a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, at the effective
time of the Merger:
(a) The aggregate consideration to be paid to AvePoint equity shareholders will
be (i) an amount in cash of approximately $262 million (the "Aggregate Cash
Consideration"), minus a deduction for the PIPE Fees and (ii) 143,261,093
shares of common stock of Apex, par value $0.0001 ("Apex Common Stock"),
which includes shares of Apex Common Stock that may be issuable pursuant to
the exercise of exchanged AvePoint stock options (such aggregate amount, the
"Aggregate Stock Consideration"). The Aggregate Stock Consideration will be
increased by a number of shares of Apex Common Stock equal to the aggregate
exercise price of the Exchanged Options divided by $10.00;
(b) AvePoint's stockholders who hold shares of Series C Preferred Stock, par
value $0.001 ("AvePoint Preferred Stock") will receive an aggregate amount
of $135 million (subject to deduction for Preferred PIPE Fees) from the
Aggregate Cash Consideration and will receive the balance of their
consideration in shares of Apex Common Stock from the Aggregate Stock
Consideration;
(c) All holders of shares of common stock of AvePoint, par value $0.001 per
share ("AvePoint Common Stock") other than the Named Executives will receive
an aggregate amount of between $75 million and approximately $92 million in
cash (subject to deduction for certain expenses) based on an election ("Cash
Election") from the balance of the Aggregate Cash Consideration and will
receive the remainder of their consideration in shares of Apex Common Stock
from the Aggregate Stock Consideration;
(d) All shares of AvePoint Common Stock and AvePoint Preferred Stock held in the
treasury of AvePoint or by Apex shall be canceled without any conversion
thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto;
44
(e) Each share of common stock of Merger Sub 1 issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par
value $0.001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation;
(f) Each Named Executive Cash-Settled Option that is outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be converted into the right to receive (A)
an amount of cash equal to: the product of (1) the number of Named Executive
Cash-Settled Options multiplied by (2) the Per Share Amount, minus (y) the
aggregate exercise price attributable to such Named Executive Cash-Settled
Options; and (B) the contingent right to receive a number of shares
Contingent Consideration following the Closing in accordance with the
Business Combination Agreement;
(g) The Named Executives will receive an aggregate amount of $35 million in cash
(subject to deduction for the Named Executive PIPE Fees (as defined in the
Business Combination Agreement)) from the Aggregate Cash Consideration and
will receive the balance of their transaction consideration in shares of Apex
Common Stock from the Aggregate Stock Consideration;
(h) Each AvePoint Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time, whether vested or unvested (other than the Named Executive Cash-Settled
Options and AvePoint Options granted to Eligible individuals in the People's
Republic of China ("PRC Options")), shall be converted into (1) an option to
purchase a number of shares of Apex Common Stock (such option, an "Exchanged
Option") equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of
(x) the number of shares of AvePoint Common Stock subject to such AvePoint
Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (y) the Exchange Ratio, at
an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to
(A) the exercise price per share of such AvePoint Option immediately prior to
the Effective Time divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio; and
(i) The PRC Options will not be continued or assumed by AvePoint, Apex or the
Merger Subs as part of the Mergers. The cancelled PRC Options will be
replaced and substituted for as of the Effective Time with the award of a new
stock option to purchase a number of shares of Apex Common Stock pursuant to
the 2021 Plan equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number)
of (x) the number of shares of AvePoint Common Stock subject to such PRC
Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (y) the Exchange Ratio, at
an exercise price (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (A) the
exercise price per share of such PRC Option prior to the Effective Time
divided by (B) the Exchange Ratio. The replacement stock options will be
credited with vesting to the same extent as the existing PRC Options being
replaced, and the new replacement awards will be subject to same vesting
schedule and exercisability provisions
Additionally, On November 23, 2020, Apex entered into separate subscription
agreements (collectively, the "Subscription Agreements") with a number of
investors (collectively, the "PIPE Investors"), pursuant to which the PIPE
Investors agreed to purchase an aggregate of 14,000,000 shares of Apex Common
Stock (the "PIPE Shares"), at a purchase price of $10.00 per share for an
aggregate purchase price of $140,000,000, in one or more private placement
transactions (the "Private Placements"). The closing of the Private Placements
pursuant to the Subscription Agreements is contingent upon, among other
customary closing conditions, the concurrent consummation of the Proposed
Transactions. The purpose of the Private Placements is to raise additional
capital for use by the combined company following the Closing.
Following the Closing, in addition to the Aggregate Cash Consideration and
Aggregate Stock Consideration, the holders of AvePoint Preferred Stock, AvePoint
Common Stock and AvePoint Options shall be issued additional shares of Apex
Common Stock, as follows:
(a) 1,000,000 shares of Apex Common Stock, in the aggregate, if at any time from
and after the Closing through the seventh anniversary thereof (x) the Closing
Price is greater than or equal to $12.50 over any 20 Trading Days within any
30 Trading Day period or (y) Apex consummates a Subsequent Transaction, which
results in the stockholders of Apex having the right to exchange their shares
for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding
$12.50 per share (the "First Milestone") (such 1,000,000 shares of Apex
Common Stock, the "First Milestone Contingent Consideration");
(b) 1,000,000 shares of Apex Common Stock, in the aggregate, if at any time from
and after the Closing through the seventh anniversary thereof (x) the Closing
Price is greater than or equal to $15.00 over any 20 Trading Days within any
30 Trading Day period or (y) Apex consummates a Subsequent Transaction, which
results in the stockholders of Apex having the right to exchange their shares
for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding
$15.00 per share (the "Second Milestone") (such 1,000,000 shares of Apex
Common Stock, the "Second Milestone Contingent Consideration"); and
(c) 1,000,000 shares of Apex Common Stock, in the aggregate, if at any time from
and after the Closing through the seventh anniversary thereof (x) the Closing
Price is greater than or equal to $17.50 over any 20 Trading Days within any
30 Trading Day period or (y) Apex consummates a Subsequent Transaction, which
results in the stockholders of Apex having the right to exchange their shares
for cash, securities or other property having a value equaling or exceeding
$17.50 per share (the "Third Milestone") (such 1,000,000 shares of Apex
Common Stock, the "Third Milestone Contingent Consideration" and together
with the First Milestone Contingent Consideration and the Second Milestone
Contingent Consideration, the "Contingent Consideration"). For the avoidance
of doubt, the maximum amount of the Contingent Consideration is 3,000,000
shares of Apex Common Stock, in the aggregate.
The parties to the Business Combination Agreement have made customary
representations, warranties and covenants, including, among others, with respect
to the conduct of the businesses of AvePoint and Apex during the period between
execution of the Business Combination Agreement and the consummation of the
Business Combination
45
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date.
Our only activities from inception to December 31, 2020 were organizational
activities, those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering,
described below, and, following the Initial Public Offering, identifying a
target company for a Business Combination and completing activities related to
the Business Combination Agreement. We do not expect to generate any operating
revenues until after the completion of our initial Business Combination. We
generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable
securities held in the trust account. We incur expenses as a result of being a
public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing
compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses in connection with completing
a Business Combination.
As a result of the restatement described in Note 2 of the notes to the financial
statements included herein, we classify the warrants issued in connection with
our Initial Public Offering as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the
warrant instrument to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is
subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any
change in fair value is recognized in our statement of operations.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had a net loss of $60,723,035, which
consisted of operating costs of $5,309,612, franchise taxes of $201,196, a
provision for income taxes of $411,315 and a change in the fair value of the
warrant liability of $56,471,950, offset by interest earned on marketable
securities held in the Trust Account of $1,671,038
For the period from April 5, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, we had
a net income of $2,965,368, which consisted of interest earned on marketable
securities held in the Trust Account of $1,809,163, a change in the fair value
of the warrant liability of ($3,052,800) and transaction costs of $988,242,
offset by operating costs of $295,109, franchise taxes of $295,342 and a
provision for income taxes of $317,902.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On September 19, 2019, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 35,000,000
Units, which included the partial exercise by the underwriters of the
over-allotment option to purchase an additional 4,500,000 Units, at $10.00 per
Unit, generating gross proceeds of $350,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing
of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 810,000 Placement
Units to our Sponsor and Cantor at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross
proceeds of $8,100,000.
Following the Initial Public Offering, the exercise of the over-allotment option
and the sale of the Placement Units, a total of $350,000,000 was placed in the
trust account. We incurred $19,806,442 in transaction costs, including
$6,100,000 of underwriting fees, $13,150,000 of deferred underwriting fees and
$556,442 of other offering costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash used in operating activities was
$2,419,063. Net loss of $60,723,035 was affected by interest earned on
marketable securities held in the trust account of $1,671,038, a non-cash charge
for the change in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $56,471,950, and
changes in operating assets and liabilities, which provided $3,503,060 of cash
from operating activities.
For the period from April 5, 2019 (inception) through December 31, 2019, cash
used in operating activities was $473,748. Net income of $2,965,368 was offset
by interest earned on marketable securities held in the Trust Account of
$1,809,163, a non-cash charge for the change in the fair value of warrant
liabilities of ($3,052,800), and transaction costs of $988,242, and changes in
operating assets and liabilities, which provided $434,605 of cash from operating
activities.
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash and marketable securities of $351,858,320
held in the trust account. As of December 31, 2019, we had cash and marketable
securities of $351,809,163 held in the trust account. Interest income on the
balance in the trust account may be used by us to pay taxes. During the year
ended December 31, 2020, we withdrew $1,621,881 of interest earned on the trust
account to pay for our franchise tax obligations. During the year ended December
31, 2019, we did not withdraw any interest earned on the trust account. We
intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account,
including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account (less
deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial Business Combination.
To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as
consideration to complete our initial Business Combination, the remaining
proceeds held in the trust account will be used as working capital to finance
the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and
pursue our growth strategies.
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash of $197,628 held outside of the trust
account. As of December 31, 2019, we had cash of $994,810 held outside of the
trust account. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account
primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due
diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices,
plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their
representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of
prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a Business
Combination.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in
connection with a Business Combination, our Sponsor or an affiliate of our
Sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to,
loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a Business Combination, we
would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that a Business Combination does
not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the trust
account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account
would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be
convertible into units identical to the Placement Units, at a price of $10.00
per unit at the option of the lender.
46
We do not believe we will need to raise additional funds in order to meet the
expenditures required for operating our business. However, if our estimate of
the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence
and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary
to do so, 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 complete 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 initial Business
Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would
only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial
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.
Going Concern
We have until September 19, 2021 to consummate a Business Combination. It is
uncertain that we will be able to consummate a Business Combination by this
time. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date, there will be a
mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution. Management has determined that
the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and
potential subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about our ability to
continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying
amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after
September 19, 2021.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered
off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2020. We do not participate in
transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial
partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have
been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.
We have not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements,
established any special purpose entities, guaranteed any debt or commitments of
other entities, or purchased any non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease
obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay an
affiliate of our Sponsor a monthly fee of $15,000 for office space, utilities
and secretarial and administrative support to us. We began incurring these fees
on September 16, 2019 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the
earlier of the completion of the initial Business Combination and our
liquidation.
The underwriters are entitled to a deferred fee of $13,150,000. The deferred fee
will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the trust
account solely in the event that we complete a Business Combination, subject to
the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its majority owned subsidiary where the Company has the ability to
exercise control. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation. Activities in relation to the noncontrolling
interest are not considered to be significant and are, therefore, not presented
in the accompanying consolidated statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and income and
expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ
from those estimates.
Warrant Liability
We account for the warrants issued in connection with our Initial Public
Offering in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40-15-7D under
which the warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be
recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the warrants as liabilities at
their fair value and adjust the warrants to fair value at each reporting period.
This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until
exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our statement of
operations. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using a Monte Carlo
simulation approach.
47
Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption
We account for our common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance
with the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB")
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities
from Equity." Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption are
classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value.
Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock that feature
redemption rights that is either within the control of the holder or subject to
redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our
control) is classified as temporary equity. At all other times, common stock is
classified as stockholders' equity. Our Class A common stock features certain
redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject
to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, shares of Class A common
stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside
of the stockholders' equity section of our balance sheets.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
We apply the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Net income per
common share, basic and diluted for Class A redeemable common stock is
calculated by dividing the interest income earned on the Trust Account, net of
applicable taxes, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A redeemable
common stock outstanding for the periods presented. Net loss per common share,
basic and diluted for Class B non-redeemable common stock is calculated by
dividing net income less income attributable to Class A redeemable common stock,
by the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B non-redeemable
common stock outstanding for the periods presented.
Recent Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective,
accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our
consolidated financial statements.
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