References in this report to "we," "us" or the "Company" refer to Oxus
Acquisition Corp. References to our "management" or our "management team" refer
to our officers and directors, and references to the "sponsor" refer to Oxus
Capital Pte. Ltd. The following discussion and analysis of the Company's
financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this
Annual Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set
forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below
includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated in the Cayman Islands on February 3,
2021 for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset
acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar Business Combination with
one or more businesses. We intend to effectuate our initial Business Combination
using cash from the proceeds of our Initial Public Offering and the sale of the
private warrants, our shares, debt or a combination of cash, equity 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.
Proposed Business Combination
On February 23, 2023, Oxus entered into the Business Combination Agreement by
and among the Company, Newco and Borealis. Pursuant to the Business Combination
Agreement, among other things: (a) the Company will domesticate and continue as
a corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, Canada; (b) on
the closing date, Newco and Borealis will amalgamate in accordance with the
terms of the plan of arrangement, with Amalco surviving the Borealis
Amalgamation as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Oxus; and (c) on the closing
date, immediately following the Borealis Amalgamation, Amalco and New Oxus will
amalgamate, with New Oxus surviving the New Oxus Amalgamation. The Business
Combination Agreement was unanimously approved by Oxus' and Borealis' respective
board of directors. Under the Business Combination Agreement, Borealis
Shareholders will receive from New Oxus, in the aggregate, a number of shares of
New Oxus equal to (a) the Borealis Value divided by (b) $10.00.
The Business Combination Agreement contains customary representations and
warranties, covenants and closing conditions, including, but not limited to,
approval by the Company's and Borealis' respective shareholders of the Business
Combination Agreement and the Proposed Transaction. The terms of the Business
Combination Agreement and other related ancillary agreements entered into or to
be entered into in connection with the closing of the Proposed Transaction,
including those briefly described below, are summarized in more detail in the
Company's Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023.
Shareholder Support Agreements
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Business Combination
Agreement, Oxus, Borealis and certain Borealis Shareholders entered into the
Shareholder Support Agreements pursuant to which, among other things, such
Borealis Shareholders have agreed to vote their Borealis shares in favor of the
Proposed Transaction and not sell or transfer their Borealis shares.
Sponsor Support Agreement
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Business Combination
Agreement, Oxus, Borealis and the sponsor entered into the Sponsor Support
Agreement pursuant to which, among other things, the sponsor agreed to (A) vote
its founder shares in favor of the Proposed Transaction and the Oxus Proposals,
(B) not redeem its founder shares, (C) waive certain of its anti-dilution
rights, (D) convert the Sponsor Convertible Notes, and (E) forfeit certain
sponsor founder shares as a part of incentive equity compensation for directors,
officers and employees of New Oxus (subject to terms and conditions set forth in
the Sponsor Support Agreement).
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Oxus and certain
Borealis Shareholders and the Holders will enter into the Registration Rights
Agreement, pursuant to which Oxus will be obligated to file a registration
statement to register the resale of certain securities of Oxus held by the
Holders. The Registration Rights Agreement will also provide the Holders with
"piggy-back" registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary
conditions.
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Lock-Up Agreements
In connection with the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Oxus and certain
Subject Party will enter into Lock-Up Agreements, pursuant to which (A) fifty
percent (50%) of the shares of the Restricted Securities will be locked-up
during the period commencing from the closing and ending on the earlier to occur
of (i) twelve (12) months after the date of the closing and (ii) the date on
which the closing price of common shares of New Oxus equals or exceeds $12.00
per share (as adjusted to take into account any stock split, stock dividend,
reverse stock split, recapitalization or similar event) for any twenty (20)
trading days within a thirty (30)-trading day period starting after the closing,
and (B) fifty percent (50%) of the Restricted Securities will be locked-up
during the period commencing from the closing and ending on twelve (12) months
after the date of the closing, subject to certain specifications and exceptions.
Extension
On March 2, 2023, our shareholders approved an amendment the Extension
Amendment. The Extension Amendment extends the date by which we must consummate
our initial Business Combination from the Termination Date, upon additional
funds being deposited into the Company's trust account to up to the Extended
Date.
In connection with the shareholder vote to approve the Extension Amendment, the
holders of 15,300,532 Class A ordinary shares property exercised their right to
redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.41 per
share, for an aggregate redemption amount of approximately $159.34 million,
leaving approximately $20.3 million in the trust account.
Our sponsor has agreed to loan the Company (i) the lesser of (a) an aggregate of
$180,000 or (b) $0.12 per public share that remain outstanding and is not
redeemed in connection with the Extension plus (ii) the lesser of (a) an
aggregate of $60,000 or (b) $0.04 per public share that remain outstanding and
is not redeemed in connection with the Extension for each of the six subsequent
calendar months commencing on June 8, 2023 (the "Extension Loan"), which amount
will be deposited into the Trust Account. On March 3, 2023, our sponsor funded
$200,000 through the Amended Note (as defined below), out of which $180,000 was
deposited into the Trust Account as the initial deposit of the Extension Loan.
On March 15, 2023, our sponsor funded an additional $100,000 through the Amended
Note.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date.
Our only activities from inception through December 31, 2022, were
organizational activities and those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public
Offering, described below. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues
until after the completion of our Business Combination. We expect to generate
non-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities
held after the Initial Public Offering. 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.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had a net loss of $0.30 million, which
consisted of dividend income of $2.58 million, interest income of $4,010,
foreign exchange gains of $1,073, offset by operating expenses of $2.89 million.
For the period from February 3, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, we
had a net loss of $0.41 million, which consisted of dividend income of $3,964,
offset by change in fair value over-allotment liability of approximately $0.02
million, and operating expenses of $0.43 million.
Liquidity
Until the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, our only source of
liquidity was an initial purchase of ordinary shares by the sponsor and loans
from the sponsor.
On September 8, 2021, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of
15,000,000 units, at a price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of
$150.00 million. Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering,
we consummated the sale of 8,400,000 private warrants at a price of $1.00 per
warrant in a private placement to the sponsor and the underwriters, generating
gross proceeds of $8.40 million. On September 13, 2021, the underwriters
exercised the over-allotment option in full and purchased an additional
2,250,000 units, generating gross proceeds of $22.50 million. In connection with
the underwriters' full exercise of the over-allotment option, the Company issued
an additional 900,000 private warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant in a
private placement to the sponsor and the underwriters, generating gross proceeds
of $0.90 million.
Following the Initial Public Offering and the private placement, a total of
$175.95 million was placed in the Trust Account (at $10.20 per Unit). We
incurred $4.15 million in transaction costs, including $3.45 million of
underwriting fees and $0.70 million of other offering costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was
$2.11 million. Net loss of $0.30 million was offset by the dividend received of
$2.58 million and foreign exchange gain of $1,073. Changes in operating assets
and liabilities provided $0.78 million of total cash for operating activities.
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For the period from February 3, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, cash
used in operating activities was $0.60 million. Net loss of $0.41 million was
offset by the dividend received of $3,964. Changes in operating assets and
liabilities provided $0.17 million of total cash for operating activities.
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had marketable securities held
in the trust account of $178.53 million and $175.95 million respectively. We
intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the trust account,
including any amounts representing interest earned on the trust account to
complete our Business Combination. To the extent that our capital stock or debt
is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had cash of $0.68 million and
$1.12 million outside of the trust account, respectively. 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 may
repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the trust account released to
us. 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.
Going Concern
In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in
accordance with ASC Topic 205-40 Presentation of Financial Statements - Going
Concern, the Company has until the Extended Date to consummate a Business
Combination. If a Business Combination is not consummated by this date and an
extension not requested by the sponsor, there will be a mandatory liquidation
and subsequent dissolution of the Company. Although the Company intends to
consummate a Business Combination on or before the Extended Date, it is
uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by
this time. Management has determined that the liquidity condition, coupled with
the mandatory liquidation, should a Business Combination not occur, and an
extension is not requested by the sponsor, and potential subsequent dissolution
raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. Further to the extension of the Termination Date from March 8, 2023 to
December 8, 2023, the Company's plan is to complete a Business Combination on or
prior to December 8, 2023, however it is uncertain that the Company will be able
to consummate a Business Combination or obtain an extension by this time. No
adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities
should the Company be required to liquidate after December 8, 2023.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $0.68 million in its operating bank
account, $178.53 million of marketable securities held in the trust account to
be used for a Business Combination or to repurchase or redeem its ordinary
shares in connection therewith and a working capital deficiency of $1.58
million.
Until the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will be using the
funds not held in the trust account for identifying and evaluating prospective
acquisition candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target
businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to
acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.
The Company will need to raise additional capital through loans or additional
investments from its sponsor, shareholders, officers, directors, or third
parties. The Company's officers, directors and sponsor may, but are not
obligated to, loan the Company funds, from time to time or at any time, in
whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the
Company's working capital needs. Accordingly, the Company may not be able to
obtain additional financing. If the Company is unable to raise additional
capital, it may be required to take additional measures to conserve liquidity,
which could include, but not necessarily be limited to, curtailing operations,
suspending the pursuit of a potential transaction, and reducing overhead
expenses. The Company cannot provide any assurance that new financing will be
available to it on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, which would be considered
off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2022. 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 described below.
We have engaged EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Sova Capital Limited as advisors in
connection with our Business Combination to assist us in holding meetings with
our shareholders to discuss the potential Business Combination and the target
business' attributes, introduce us to potential investors that are interested in
purchasing our securities in connection with our initial Business Combination,
assist us in obtaining shareholder approval for the Business Combination and
assist us with our press releases and public filings in connection with the
Business Combination. We will pay EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. and Sova Capital
Limited a cash fee of up to an aggregate of $5.23 million for such services upon
the consummation of our initial Business Combination (exclusive of any
applicable finders' fees which might become payable); provided that up to 25% of
the fee may be allocated at our sole discretion to other Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority members that assist us in identifying or consummating an
initial Business Combination.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods
reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The
Company has identified the following as its critical accounting policies:
Warrants
We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or
foreign currency risks. We evaluate all of our financial instruments, including
issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives
or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480
and ASC 815-15.
We account for the public warrants and private warrants collectively
("warrants"), as either equity or liability-classified instruments based on an
assessment of the specific terms of the Warrants and the applicable
authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging
("ASC 815"). The assessment considers whether the Warrants meet all of the
requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the
Warrants are indexed to our own ordinary shares and whether the warrant holders
could potentially require "net cash settlement" in a circumstance outside of our
control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment,
which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of
issuance of the Warrants and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date
while the Warrants are outstanding.
For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity
classification, such warrants are required to be recorded as a component of
additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified
warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, such
warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of
issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair
value of liability-classified warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss
on the statements of operations. We evaluated the public warrants and private
warrants in accordance with ASC 815-40, "Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in
Entity's Own Equity," and concluded that they met the criteria for equity
classification and are required to be recorded as part a component of additional
paid-in capital at the time of issuance.
Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption
The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible
redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 "Distinguishing
Liabilities from Equity." Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory
redemption (if any) are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at
fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares
that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder
or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely
within the Company's control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other
times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders' equity. The Company's
ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be
outside of the Company's control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain
future events. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021,
17,250,000 shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are
presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders'
equity section of the Company's balance sheets.
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Net Loss Per Ordinary Share
We comply with accounting and disclosure requirements FASB ASC, Topic 260,
"Earnings Per Share." Net loss per ordinary share is computed by dividing net
loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the
period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per
share. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A ordinary share
is excluded from EPS as the redemption value approximates fair value.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-06,
Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives
and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) ("ASU 2020-06")
to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates
the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash
conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative
scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an
entity's own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for
convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in
an entity's own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share
guidance, including the requirement to use the if-converted method for all
convertible instruments.
The provisions of ASU 2020-06 are applicable for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted no earlier than fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact of ASU 2020-06 on its financial statements.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet
effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material
effect on our financial statements.
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