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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 8, 2024

 

HWH International Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-41254   87-3296100

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210 Bethesda, MD   20814
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (301) 971-3955

 

Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   HWH   The Nasdaq Global Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 
 

 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

 

Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company,” “,” and the “Company” refer to HWH International Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation), after giving effect to the Business Combination (as defined below), and as renamed HWH International Inc., and where appropriate, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including Merger Sub, as defined below) following the Closing Date (as defined below). Furthermore, unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Alset” refer to Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, prior to the Closing Date., and references to “Merger Sub” refer to HWH Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation, prior to the Closing Date. All references herein to the “Board” refer to the board of directors of the Company of HWH International Inc.

 

Terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the meaning given to such terms in the joint proxy statement/prospectus of Alset dated July 7, 2023 and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 7, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in the section entitled “Frequently Used Terms,” and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.

 

This Current Report incorporates by reference certain information from reports and other documents that were previously filed with the SEC, including certain information from the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this Current Report and the information contained in such prior reports and documents and incorporated by reference herein, the information in this Current Report controls.

 

As previously disclosed, on August 1, 2023, Alset held the Special Meeting, at which the Alset stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination. On January 9, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), the parties consummated the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, Alset changed its name from Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. to HWH International Inc.

 

In connection with Alset’s initial public offering on February 3, 2022 (the “IPO”), 8,625,000 units were issued, with each unit consisting of one share of Alset’s Class A common stock (the “Public Shares”), one right to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Class A common stock upon consummation of the Company’s Initial Business Combination, and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Alset’s Class A Common Stock.

 

The holders of 8,591,072 Public Shares properly exercised their right to have such shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from the IPO. Such holders received approximately $89,054,221.20 in the aggregate.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, each share of Class A common stock was cancelled and converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, on the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement, dated September 9, 2022. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock that was delivered as consideration in the Business Combination was capped at 12,500,000 shares.

 

Also, as a result of the Business Combination, each outstanding share of Class B common stock, with par value of $0.0001 per share, of Alset (the “Class B Common Stock”), automatically converted into one share of Class A common stock, with $0.0001 par value per share, of Alset (the “Class A Common Stock”), and then subsequently converted into one share of Company common stock.

 

Item 1.01 Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement

 

As previously disclosed, on August 1, 2023, Alset held the Special Meeting, at which the Alset stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination. On the Closing Date, the parties consummated the Business Combination pursuant to the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 9, 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Alset, Merger Sub, a Nevada corporation, and HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation.

 

 
 

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (and upon all other conditions pursuant to the Merger Agreement being satisfied or waived), on the Closing Date, (i)  the Merger Agreement provides for the combination of HWH and Merger Sub under Alset, with HWH surviving as the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the “Merger”). At the consummation of the Merger, HWH will survive as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Alset; and (ii) Alset will change its name to “HWH International Inc.”

 

The transaction has closed, as all closing conditions as referenced in the Merger Agreement have either been met or waived by the parties. Certain closing conditions that have been waived by the parties, pursuant to the Merger Agreement include Section 8.1(i), which states “the aggregate cash available to Alset at the Closing from the Trust Account (after giving effect to the redemption of any shares of Alset Class A Common Stock in connection with the Alset Proposals, but before giving effect to (i) the payment of the Outstanding Alset Transaction Expenses, and (ii) the payment of the Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses), shall equal or exceed Thirty Million dollars ($30,000,000); and 8.1(j), which states “upon the closing, Alset shall not have redeemed shares of Alset Class A Common Stock in the Offer in an amount that would cause Alset to have less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) under the Exchange Act).”

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

On January 31, 2022 the Company, the Sponsor, and certain persons and entities holding securities of the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is obligated to register certain securities, including (i) all of the shares of Company common stock and warrants held by the Sponsor, and Company common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, and (ii) the shares of Company common stock and Company common stock underlying warrants that were issued in the Private Placement on January 31, 2022. The Company is obligated to (a) file a resale registration statement to register such securities within 15 business days after the closing of the Business Combination, and (b) use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC within 60 business days after the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, at the closing, each of the HWH Holders holding more than 5% of the HWH Common Stock and certain members of HWH’s management team will enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with Alset in substantially the form attached to the letter Agreement dated January 31, 2022 (the “Letter Agreement”) (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”). Under the Lock-Up Agreement, each such holder will agree not to, during the period commencing from the Closing and with respect to the shares of Alset Common Stock to be received as part of the Merger Consideration by the HWH Holder (together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted, the “Restricted Securities”), (A) ending on the earlier of six months after the date of the Closing, the date on which the closing sale price of shares of Alset Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing or (y) the date after the Closing on which Alset consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of Alset’s stockholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in Alset for cash, securities or other property.

 

Satisfaction And Discharge Agreement

 

On December 18, 2023, the Company entered into a Satisfaction and Discharge of Indebtedness Agreement (the “Satisfaction Agreement”) in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated January 31, 2022 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), with EF Hutton, LLC (“EF Hutton”), in which pursuant to that certain Underwriting Agreement the Company was due to pay $3,018,750 to EF Hutton as deferred underwriting commission (the “Deferred Underwriting Commission”) upon the closing of the business combination. In lieu of the Company tendering the full amount of Deferred Underwriting Commission, the Company and EF Hutton entered into the Satisfaction Agreement, pursuant to which EF Hutton will accept a combination of $325,000 in cash (the “Cash Payment”) upon the closing of the business combination, 149,443 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”) and a $1,184,375 promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) as full satisfaction of the Deferred Underwriting Commission. Satisfaction and discharge of the Deferred Underwriting Commission is dependent on the Company’s delivery of the Cash Payment, the Shares and the Promissory Note under the terms of the Satisfaction Agreement. Additionally, the Company has granted EF Hutton an irrevocable right of first refusal (the “ROFR”) to act as the sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financing for a period commencing on the date of the satisfaction and ending twenty-four (24) months after the closing of the business combination.

 

Item 1.02 Termination of Material Definitive Agreement

 

On July 30, 2023, by and among Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation, on the one hand, and Meteora Special Opportunity Fund I, LP (“MSOF”), Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”), Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”) and Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC, (“MSC”) (with MCP, MSOF, MSTO and MSC collectively as “Seller”), on the other hand (the “Confirmation”) and the Subscription Agreement entered into as of July 30, 2023, by and among ACAX and Seller (the “Subscription Agreement”). The Subscription Agreement has been terminated.

 

In addition, the Company did not incur any early termination penalties in connection with the Termination of the Subscription Agreement.

 

 
 

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

To the extent required by this Item 2.01, the disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” section above is hereby incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

FORM 10 INFORMATION

 

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a “shell company,” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as the Company was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. As a result of the consummation of the Business Consummation, and as discussed below in Item 5.06 of this Current Report, the Company has ceased to be a shell company. Accordingly, the Company is providing below the information that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report and the information incorporated herein by reference contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including with respect to the effects of the Business Combination. These statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of management of the Company and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements about future financial and operating results of the Company; statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations of the Company; statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and other statements regarding the future business of the Company. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “will be,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “project,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “pursue,” “should,” “target,” or similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. These statements include, but are not limited to the following:

 

the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings, including the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company;

 

the ability to maintain the listing of Company common stock and warrants on The Nasdaq Stock Market;

 

the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability to grow, manage growth profitably, and retain key employees;

 

 
 

 

changes adversely affecting the business in which the Company is engaged;

 

the Company’s ability to execute on its plans to develop and commercialize its current clinical assets, as well as any future clinical assets that it licenses, and the timing of any such commercialization;

 

the Company’s ability to identify future clinical assets to develop and obtain licenses to such clinical assets;

 

the Company’s projected financial information, growth rate, strategies, and market opportunities;

 

the ability of the Company to meet its future capital requirements to fund its operations, which may involve debt and/or equity financing, and to obtain such debt and/or equity financing on favorable terms, and its sources and uses of cash;

 

the success of the Company’s research and development strategies;

 

the Company’s ability, assessment of, and strategies to compete with, its competitors;

 

the Company’s reliance on third-party service providers;

 

the Company’s estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing;

 

the Company’s ability to maintain and protect its intellectual property;

 

changes in applicable laws or regulations affecting the Company and/or its business;

 

the risk of disruption to the Company’s current plans and operations, including, but not limited to, as a result of any business disruption due to political or economic instability, pandemics or armed hostilities or a business disruption resulting from a cybersecurity attack; and

 

other factors disclosed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that the Company has anticipated. The Company undertakes 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.

 

Business

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Risk Factors

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

 
 

 

Financial Information

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “HWH’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Other Financial Information

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report concerning the consolidated financial information of Alset and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company.

 

The selected historical financial information of HWH as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2022, is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section of the financial statements entitled “Selected Historical Financial Information of HWH”.

 

Properties

 

Our executive offices are located at 4800 Montgomery Ln., Ste 210, Bethesda, MD 20814, and our telephone number is (301) 971-3955. The cost for our use of this space is included in the $10,000 per month fee we pay to our Alset Management Group Inc. (“Alset Management”) for office space, administrative and shared personnel support services. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. We consider our current office space adequate for our current operations.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of Alset Common Stock immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination by:

 

  each person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Alset Common Stock and/or is expected to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Alset Common Stock post-Business Combination; and
     
  each of the Company’s executive officers and directors;

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Effective upon the Closing Date, including the redemption of Public Shares as described above, the Company had 16,223,246 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” for further information.

 

 
 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, Alset believes that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of capital stock beneficially owned by them.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) 

Number of Shares
of Company
Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

  

Percentage of
Shares of

Outstanding
Company
Common Stock

 
Directors and Executive Officers(1)          
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan(2)(3)(4)   13,827,250    84.0%
John Thatch        %
Anthony Chan          
Rongguo Wei         %
Danny Lim         %
William Wu         %
Wong Shui Yeung (Frankie         %
Wong Tat Keung (Aston)         %
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals) (2)(3)(4)   13,827,250    84.0%
           
5% Beneficial Owners          
Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC (2)(4)(5)   2,914,250    17.7%
Alset International Limited(6)   10,900,000    67.2%

 

* Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the persons and entities listed above is c/o HWH International Inc., 4800 Montgomery Ln., Ste 210, Bethesda, MD 20814.
(2) Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, our sponsor, is the record holder of the securities reported herein. Alset Inc. and Alset International Limited are the owners of 55% and 45%, respectively, of Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. Alset Inc. owns a majority of Alset International Limited. Heng Fai Ambrose Chan is the Chief Executive Officer and Majority Stockholder of Alset Inc. Mr. Chan may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities held of record by our sponsor. Mr. Chan disclaims any such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.
(3) Heng Fai Ambrose Chan directly owns 13,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
(4) Sponsor and affiliates’ total percentage ownership in the Company, assuming exercise and conversion of all securities held thereby, consists of (i) 2,156,250 founder shares held by our Sponsor, and (ii) 473,750 placement units that the Sponsor purchased in connection with our IPO (consisting of 1 share of our Class A Common Stock, 1/2 placement warrant and 1 placement right). Each founder share was converted at the Closing into one share of Common Stock, and each placement unit was split into its component securities. Immediately after the Business Combination, the Sponsor beneficially owns 2,914,250 shares of Common Stock, consisting of (i) 2,156,250 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 473,750 shares of Common Stock from the component of placement units consisting of Alset Class A Common Stock, (iii) 47,375 shares of Common Stock from exercise of placement rights, and (iv) 236,875 shares of Common Stock upon exercise of placement warrants.
(5) The business address of Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC is 4800 Montgomery Ln., Ste 210, Bethesda, MD 20814.
(6) Alset International Limited owns 10,900,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock The business address of Alset International Limited is 9 Temasek Boulevard #16-04, Suntec Tower Two, Singapore 038989.
  The information provided in the above table in the “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” section may be subject to change upon additional filings with the SEC.

 

 

 

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Other than as disclosed below in Item 5.02, the Company’s directors and executive officers are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; however, the Company has, at the present time, maintained a Board of Directors consisting of four persons: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, Wong (Frankie) Shui Yeung, William Wu and Wong (Aston) Tat Keung and has not yet added additional directors.

 

Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance

 

Executive Compensation

 

Certain matters relating to the Company’s executive officers are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Executive Compensation of Alset” and “Management of Alset After the Business Combination,” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the compensation-related disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Director Compensation

 

Certain matters relating to the Company’s directors are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Executive Compensation of Alset — Director Compensation” and “Management of Alset After the Business Combination”, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The standing committees of the Board currently include an audit committee and a compensation committee. Each of the committees will report to the Board as they deem appropriate and as the Board may request. Each of these committees is currently composed of Wong Tat Keung, William Wu and Wong Shui Yeung.

 

Our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee will each comply with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. At least one member of the Audit Committee will be an “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K, and each member will be “independent” as that term is defined in Rule 5605(a) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Wong Tat Keung, William Wu and Wong Shui Yeung is independent.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Board has adopted a new code of ethics that applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, which is available free of charge on the Company’s corporate website at https://www.hwhintl.com/. The information on the Company’s website is not part of this Current Report. The code of ethics is a “code of ethics,” as defined in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. The Company will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of the code of conduct on the Company’s website.

 

 

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The information described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Certain relationships and related person transactions are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

A description of the independence of the Company’s directors is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination — Director Independence,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus entitled “Information About Alset — Legal Proceedings,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Market Information and Dividends

 

The Company’s common stock has commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “HWH” on January 9, 2024, and the Company’s warrants are expected to commence trading on the OTC under the symbol “HWHW” at a later date, subject to ongoing review of the Company’s satisfaction of all listing criteria following the Business Combination. Alset’s units, comprised of one Class A common share, one-half of one warrant and one right, ceased trading separately on Nasdaq on January 9, 2024. In addition, as a result of the Business Combination, each share of Class A common stock was converted into one share of Company common stock and each Alset warrant exercisable for shares of Class A common stock is now exercisable for shares of Company common stock.

 

The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends and does not presently plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of the Board. The Company currently expects that it will retain future earnings to finance operations and grow its business.

 

Effective upon the Closing Date, including the redemption of Public Shares as described above, the Company had 16,223,246 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

As previously disclosed, on November 8, 2021, Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, our sponsor, purchased an aggregate of 2,156,250 founder shares, for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.012 per share. Such securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.

 

At the Closing, pursuant to the Satisfaction Agreement entered into on December 18, 2023, the Company issued 149,443 shares of the Company’s common stock to EF Hutton. Such securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of Securities of Alset”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As described below, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation the (“A&R Certificate of Incorporation”) was approved by Alset’s stockholders at the Special Meeting and became effective as of the Closing Date.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination — Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers” and “Description of Securities of Alset — Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report relating to the financial information of the Company, and to Exhibits to this Current Report, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

The disclosure set forth in “Introductory Noteabove is hereby incorporated into this Item 3.01 by reference.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, the Company notified Nasdaq that the Business Combination had become effective and that Alset’s outstanding securities had been converted into Company common stock and warrants. The Company’s common stock commenced trading under the symbol “HWH” on January 9, 2024, and the Company’s warrants are expected to commence trading on under the symbol “HWHW” at a later date. The Company requested that Nasdaq delist Alset’s units and warrants that previously traded under the symbols “ACAXU” and “ACAXW”, respectively. Trading of Alset’s Class A common stock, redeemable warrants, and units on Nasdaq ceased on January 9, 2024.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

As previously disclosed, on November 8, 2021, Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, our sponsor, purchased an aggregate of 2,156,250 founder shares, for an aggregate offering price of $25,000 at an average purchase price of approximately $0.012 per share. Such securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Our sponsor is an accredited investor for purposes of Rule 501 of Regulation D.

 

At the Closing, pursuant to the Satisfaction Agreement entered into on December 18, 2023, the Company issued 149,443 shares of the Company’s common stock to EF Hutton. Such securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company filed an A&R Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The material terms of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Charter Amendments Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Additionally, the disclosure set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation is included as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of the Registrant.

 

The disclosure set forth under the Introductory Note and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On January 9, 2024, Heng Fai Ambrose Chan resigned from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Additionally, on January 9, 2024, John “JT” Thatch has been appointed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

John “JT” Thatch has served HWH’s Chief Executive Officer and director since July 7, 2023, and as a director of DSS, Inc., since May 9, 2019, and as Lead Independent Director at DSS, Inc. since December 9, 2019 through June 2022. Mr. Thatch is an accomplished, energetic, entrepreneur-minded executive who has the vision and knowledge to create growth and shareholder value any organization. Mr. Thatch has successfully started, owned and operated several sized businesses in various industries, including service, retail, wholesale, on-line learning, finance, real estate management and technology companies. Since March 2018, Mr. Thatch has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Sharing Services Global Corporation, a publicly traded holding company focused in the direct selling and marketing industry. He is a minority member of Superior Wine & Spirits, a Florida-based wholesale company since February of 2016. Mr. Thatch served as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Education Strategies, Inc. from January 2009 to January 2016, an organization the development and sales of educational products and services. From 2000 - 2005, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Onscreen Technologies, Inc., currently listed on NASDAQ as Orbital Energy Group “OEG”, a global leader in the development of cutting-edge thermal management technologies for integrated LED technologies, circuits, superconductors and solar energy solutions. Mr. Thatch was responsible for all aspects of the company including board and stockholder communications, public reporting and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, structuring and managing the firm’s financial operations, and expansion initiatives for all corporate products and services. Mr. Thatch’s public company financial and management experience in the strategic growth and development of various companies qualify him to Board serve on the Company’s Board of Directors and audit committees.

 

Effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the following sets forth certain information, concerning the person who now serve as directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company:

 

Name   Age   Position
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan   79   Executive Chairman, Director
John “JT” Thatch   61   Chief Executive Officer
Rongguo Wei   52   Chief Financial Officer
Anthony Chan   59   Chief Operating Officer
Danny Lim   31   Chief Strategy Officer
Vincent Lum   60   Chief Technology Officer
Liaw Wei Sheng   32   Chief Compliance Officer
Adam Tan   30   Asia Chief Operating Officer
Wong (Frankie) Shui Yeung   53   Independent Director
William Wu   57   Independent Director
Wong (Aston) Tat Keung   53   Independent Director

 

Other than as disclosed in this Item 5.02 of this Current Report, reference is made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Company Following the Business Combination” for biographical information about each of the directors and officers following the Business Combination and to Item 1.01 of this Current Report, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference; however, the Company has, at the present time, maintained a Board of Directors consisting of four persons: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan, Wong (Frankie) Shui Yeung, William Wu and Wong (Aston) Tat Keung.

 

 

 

 

Compensatory Arrangements for Directors

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination — Director Compensation,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnity Agreements

 

Each of the Company’s newly appointed directors and officers entered into indemnity agreements with the Company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of Alset After the Business Combination—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of the form of the Indemnity Agreement which is included as Exhibit 10.10 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

Effective as of January 8, 2024, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation, pursuant to the A&R Certificate of Incorporation, and the Company adopted amended and restated bylaws pursuant to an Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “A&R Bylaws”).

 

Copies of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the A&R Bylaws are attached as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to this Current Report, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The material terms of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the A&R Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections entitled “The Charter Amendments Proposals,” “The Advisory Charter Amendments Proposals,” and “Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights,” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Additionally, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company’s fiscal year end automatically changed from November 30 to December 31.

 

Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

Effective upon the Closing Date, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the Board adopted a new code of ethics, which is applicable to all of the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, which is available free of charge on the Company’s corporate website at https://www.hwhintl.com/. The information on the Company’s website does not constitute part of this Current Report and is not incorporated by reference herein. The Company will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of the code of conduct on the Company’s website.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On January 8, 2024, the parties issued a joint press release announcing the completion of the Business Combination, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit to this Current Report.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

The consolidated financial statements of HWH as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section of the financial statements entitled “Audited Financial Statements of HWH,” and are incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited condensed financial statements of HWH for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and are set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

 

 

 

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Alset and HWH as of December 31, 2022 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2   A&R Bylaws.
10.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger Agreement (including as Annex A-1 to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2   Registration Rights Agreement between the Registrant and certain security holders, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on February 8, 2022
10.3   Satisfaction and Discharge Agreement, dated December 18, 2023
10.10   Form of Indemnity Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 on (Reg No. 333-267841) dated, and incorporated herein by reference)
10.11   Form of Securities Subscription Agreement between Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. and Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. and Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form S-4 (Reg No. 333-267841) dated November 8, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
99.1   Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Alset as of and for the nine-month periods ended August 31, 2023.
99.2   Audited condensed consolidated financial statements of Alset as of and for the year ended November 30, 2022 and for the period from October 20, 2021 (inception) through November 30, 2021 (filed within the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 on (Reg No. 333-267841), and incorporated herein by reference).
99.3   Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of HWH as of and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023, and 2022.
99.4   Audited condensed consolidated financial statements of HWH as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021(filed within the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 on (Reg No. 333-267841), and incorporated herein by reference).
99.5   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the nine-months period ended September 30, 2023, and the year ended December 31, 2022.
99.6   Joint Press Release dated January 8, 2024.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: January 12, 2024 HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.
     
  By: /s/ Rongguo Wei
  Name: Rongguo Wei
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORPORATION

January 8, 2024

 

Alset Capital Acquisition Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

FIRST: The present name of the corporation is “Alset Capital Acquisition Corporation.” The corporation was incorporated under the name “Alset Capital Acquisition Corporation” by the filing of the original certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 20, 2021 (the “Existing Certificate”).

 

SECOND: Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates, and further amends the provisions of the Existing Certificate.

 

THIRD: The Existing Certificate shall be amended and restated to read in full as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
NAME

 

The name of the corporation is HWH International Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation, including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”).

 

ARTICLE III
REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, National Registered Agents, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at that address is National Registered Agents, Inc.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 56,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 55,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3 Common Stock.

 

(a) Voting.

 

(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.

 

(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of any series of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock or other series of Common Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as applicable, are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of Article IX hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

 

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Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws of the Corporation (“By-Laws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

 

Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.

 

(a) Until changed by the Board, the number of directors shall be fixed at seven (7), a majority of whom shall be independent directors in accordance with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s requirements.

 

(b) Until changed by the Board, there shall be no classes of directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon.

 

B-3
 

 

(c) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, directors will be regularly elected at each annual meeting of the stockholders. Each director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

(d) Unless and except to the extent that the By-Laws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

 

Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Sections 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 5.4 Removal. Subject to Sections 5.5 hereof and except as otherwise required by this Amended and Restated Certificate, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

B-4
 

 

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The By-Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws; and provided further, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1 Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders may not be called by another person or persons.

 

Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the By-Laws.

 

Section 7.3 No Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Company shall be taken at an annual or special meeting of Shareholders of the Company and shall not be taken by any consent in writing by such Shareholders.

 

ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

B-5
 

 

Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Amended and Restated Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

B-6
 

 

ARTICLE IX
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

Section 9.1 Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

Section 9.2 Limitations on Business Combinations. Notwithstanding Section 10.1, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Corporation’s common stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder of the Corporation became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

(a) prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

 

(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers of the Corporation or (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

 

(c) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 9.3 Definitions. For the purposes of this Article IX:

 

(a) “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

 

(b) “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

(c) “business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder, means:

 

(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (A) with the interested stockholder, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Article XI is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

 

B-7
 

 

(iii) any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (C)-(E) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

 

(iv) any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

 

(v) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees or pledges (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (i)-(iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

(d) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article IX, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

(e) “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include (A) the Principal Stockholder or Principal Stockholder Transferees or any “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) that includes any Principal Stockholder or Principal Stockholder Transferee or (B) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided that such person specified in this clause (B) shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

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(f) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:

 

(i) beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

 

(ii) has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to ten or more persons; or

 

(iii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (B) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

 

(g) “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

 

(h) “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

 

(i) “Principal Stockholder” means, collectively, (i) the Sponsor and (ii) any affiliate or successor of a person referenced in clauses (i) and (ii) of this definition.

 

(j) “Principal Stockholder Transferee” means any Person who acquires voting stock of the Corporation from the Principal Stockholder (other than in connection with a public offering) and who is designated in writing by the Principal Stockholder as a “Principal Stockholder Transferee.”

 

(k) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in matters submitted for stockholders’ approval other than the election of directors.

 

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ARTICLE X
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

To the extent allowed by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation, except, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall apply with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation with respect to a corporate opportunity that was offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and (i) such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue and (ii) the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal obligation.

 

ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XI.

 

ARTICLE XII
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

 

Section 12.1 Forum. Subject to the last sentence in this Section 13.1, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of this Section 13.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 13.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 13.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

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FOURTH: The future effective date and time of this filing is January 8th, 2024, at 11:05 AM EST.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  By: /s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Name: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY LAWS

OF

HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.

(THE “CORPORATION”)

 

These Amended and Restated Bylaws of HWH International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), are effective as of January 8, 2024, and hereby amend the restated bylaws of the Corporation in its entirety:

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

 

Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

 

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Section 2.3. Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

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Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

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(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

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Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

Section 2.7. Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

 

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(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

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(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.9. No Action Without a Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called and noticed in the manner required by these bylaws. The stockholders may not in any circumstance take action by written consent.

 

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Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this section and the DGCL to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders entitled to vote to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1. Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall initially be fixed at five (5), and thereafter from time to time exclusively by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of board. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with each director to hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 3.2. Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

 

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(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

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(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.3. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

ARTICLE IV

BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.1. Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

 

Section 4.2. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

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Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

 

Section 4.4. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

Section 4.5. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.6. Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

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ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

 

Section 5.3. Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

 

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ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including, without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, a President, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

 

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

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(e) Secretary.

 

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

 

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.2. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

 

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Section 6.3. Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.4. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII

SHARES

 

Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

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Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.5. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.

 

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

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(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

 

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

 

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(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

 

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Section 8.3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 8.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Section 8.5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

  C-19
 

 

Section 8.6. Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

 

Section 8.7. Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Section 8.9. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

  C-20
 

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

  C-21
 

 

Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

  C-22
 

 

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

  C-23
 

 

Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.7. Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

  C-24
 

 

Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

Section 9.12. Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

Section 9.14. Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Section 9.15. Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7)of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

  C-25

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 31, 2022, is made and entered into by and among Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and the undersigned parties listed on the signature page hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor have entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement (the “Founder Shares Purchase Agreement”), dated as of November 8, 2021, pursuant to which the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 2,156,250 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of the Company’s Class B common stock, having a nominal or par value of US $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), up to 281,250 shares of which will be surrendered to the Company for no consideration depending on the extent to which the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering exercise their over-allotment option;

 

WHEREAS, the Founder Shares are convertible into the Company’s Class A common stock, having a nominal or par value of US $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time;

 

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2022, the Company and the Sponsor entered into that certain Private Placement Unit Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase 440,000 units (or up to 473,750 units to the extent the over-allotment option in connection with the Company’s initial public offering is exercised in full) (the “Sponsor Private Placement Units”), in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering;

 

WHEREAS, in order to finance the Company’s transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination (as defined below) the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may loan to the Company funds as the Company may require, of which up to $750,000 of such loans may be convertible into an additional 75,000 Private Placement Units (“Working Capital Units”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

 
 

 

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Business Combination” shall mean any merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.

 

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Extension Units shall mean the Units issued to Holders as a result of the conversion of loans made by the Holders or their designees to the Company to extend the period of time of the Company has to consummate a Business Combination.

 

Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.

 

Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto and shall be deemed to include the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.

 

Founder Shares Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) the six-month anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Company’s initial Business Combination, (x) if the reported last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our shareholders having the right to exchange their Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.

 

Founder Shares Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Insider Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement, dated as of January 31, 2022, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, senior advisors, directors and director nominees.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.

 

Common Stock shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

 
 

 

Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, Private Placement Lock-up Period or Working Capital Unit Lock-up Period, as the case may be, under the Insider Letter, this Agreement, and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company, and to any transferee thereafter.

 

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.

 

Private Placement Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Units, including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Units, that are held by the initial purchasers of such units or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.

 

Private Placement Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares and the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Units (including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Units), (c) any outstanding Common Stock or any other equity security (including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any Working Capital Units (including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Units), (e) the Extension Units (including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Extension Units), if applicable, and (f) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such Common Stock by way of a share capitalization or share subdivision or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

 

(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

 
 

 

(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

 

(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

Working Capital Unit” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Working Capital Unit Lock-up Period” shall mean, with respect to Working Capital Units, including the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Working Capital Units, that are held by the initial purchasers of such units or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination.

 

ARTICLE II

 

REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1 Demand Registration.

 

2.1.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “Demanding Holders”) may make a written demand for Registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable Securities; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

 
 

 

2.1.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; providedfurther, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; and providedfurther, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.

 

2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.

 

2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other shareholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

 
 

 

2.1.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.

 

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date the Company consummates an initial Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of shareholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the shareholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee share option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing shareholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.

 

2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of the shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

(a) If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested exercising its rights to register its Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other shareholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

 

 
 

 

 

 

(b) If the Registration is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Registration, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

 

2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.

 

2.3 Registrations on Form S-3. The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”); providedhowever, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall file a Registration Statement relating to all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $10,000,000.

 

 
 

 

2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; providedhowever, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12 month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Registration shall be effected or permitted and no Registration Statement shall become effective, with respect to any Registrable Securities held by any Holder, until after the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-Up Period or the Private Placement Lock-Up Period, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1 General Procedures. If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates an initial Business Combination the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;

 

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by the majority-in-interest of the Holders with Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

 

3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;

 

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; providedhowever, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

 
 

 

3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel;

 

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

 

3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, or Underwriters to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; providedhowever, that such representative or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information and provided further, the Company may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law;

 

3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, which the participating Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

 
 

 

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

 

3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and

 

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.

 

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than ninety (90) days in any 12-month period, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

 

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

4.1 Indemnification.

 

4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

 

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to indemnify under this Section 4.1.2 shall be several, not joint and several, among the Holders of Registrable Securities, and the total indemnification liability of a Holder under this Section 4.1.2 shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

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

 

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities.

 

 
 

 

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.14.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

ARTICLE V

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: 4800 Montgomery LN STE 210, Bethesda, MD 20814, Attention: Chief Executive Officer, with copy to: Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, Floor 31, New York, NY. 10036, Attention: Darrin Ocasio, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

 

5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the Private Placement Lock-up Period, the Working Capital Unit Lock-up Period, or the Extension Unit Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement. After the expiration of the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the Private Placement Lock-up Period, the Working Capital Unit Lock-up Period, or the Extension Unit Lock-up Period, as the case may be, the Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any transferee.

 

 
 

 

5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

 

5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.

 

5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

 

5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

 

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

 

5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

 

5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale and without compliance with the current public reporting requirements set forth under Rule 144(i)(2). The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:
   
 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

   
  By: /s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Name: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  HOLDER:
   
  ALSET ACQUISITION SPONSOR LLC
   
  By: /s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Name: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
  Title: Director

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDEBTEDNESS PURSUANT TO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY 31, 2022

 

DECEMBER 18, 2023

 

This Satisfaction and Discharge of Indebtedness (the “Satisfaction and Discharge”) is made and entered into December 18, 2023, to be effective as of the closing of the Business Combination, as defined below, by and between Alset Capital Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation (“HWH”), and EF Hutton LLC (f/k/a EF Hutton LLC) (“EF Hutton”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Underwriting Agreement (as defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company and EF Hutton are parties to an Underwriting Agreement dated January 31, 2022 (the “Underwriting Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Sections 2(c) and 5(gg) of Underwriting Agreement provide the principal sum of $3,018,750 (the “Deferred Underwriting Commission”) shall be payable to EF Hutton upon the consummation of the Company’s business combination (as defined below), and the Company agreed that it will cause the Trustee to pay the Deferred Underwriting Commission directly from the Trust Account to EF Hutton.

 

WHEREAS, on September 12, 2022, the Company and HWH announced that they signed a definitive business combination agreement that will result at the closing of the business combination with the Company as the surviving entity and changing its name to HWH International Inc. (the “Business Combination”).

 

WHEREAS, the Business Combination is scheduled to close in December 2023, at which time, the Deferred Underwriting Commission to EF Hutton would be immediately due and payable.

 

WHEREAS, the Company and HWH have requested of EF Hutton that in lieu of the Company tendering the full amount of the Deferred Underwriting Commission ($3,018,750) in cash, EF Hutton accept cash and ordinary shares of the Company as satisfaction of the Deferred Underwriting Commission.

 

WHEREAS, in lieu of collecting the full amount of the Deferred Underwriting Commission in cash at the time of the closing of the Business Combination, EF Hutton hereby agrees to accept as full satisfaction of the Deferred Underwriting Commission, the specific allocated payments of (1) $325,000 in cash at the time of the closing of the Business Combination; and (2) 149,443 shares of the Company’s Common Stock which is equal to $1,509,375 equitized at the initial public offering price of $10.10 per share (the “IPO Price”); and a $1,184,375 promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) executed by the Company in which it is obligated to pay EF Hutton as follows:

 

  (1) 15% payable upon a future offering of at least $2,000,000;
  (2) 20% payable upon a future offering of at least $3,000,000;
  (3) 25% payable upon a future offering of at least $4,000,000;
  (4) 30% payable upon a future offering of at least $5,000,000; or
  (5) In the event the Company does not raise capital within the first year, then one- fifth (1/5) of the outstanding balance shall be paid annually in equivalent increments on the following dates: October 1, 2024; October 1, 2025; October 1, 2026; October 1, 2027; and October 1, 2028, until the balance owed to EF Hutton is tendered in full.

 

1

 

 

For clarity, this Agreement is not intended to, and shall not serve to, affect, modify or amend the Underwriting Agreement and the Deferred Underwriting Commission unless or until the amounts specified in subsection (a) and (b) below are timely paid in full.

 

ARTICLE I

CONDITIONS TO SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

1.1 EF Hutton shall only acknowledge the satisfaction and discharge of the Deferred Underwriting Commission and will only acknowledge that the Company’s obligations to pay in cash the Deferred Underwriting Commission under the Underwriting Agreement have been satisfied and discharged, if the below conditions occur on the closing date of the Business Combination:

 

  A. The Company wires $325,000 to the bank account of EF Hutton;
     
  B. 149,443 shares of the Company’s common stock are issued to EF Hutton LLC (the “Ordinary Shares”); and
     
  C. The Company issues the Promissory Note.

 

1.2 After the conditions above are satisfied, EF Hutton shall acknowledge the satisfaction and discharge of the Deferred Underwriting Commission, except (i) with respect to those obligations that the Promissory Note provides shall survive the satisfaction and discharge thereof; and (ii) with respect to Articles II and III below.

 

1.3 The Company also grants to EF Hutton an irrevocable right of first refusal (the “Right of First Refusal”) to act as sole investment banker, sole book-runner, and/or sole placement agent, at EF Hutton’s sole discretion, for each and every future public and private equity and debt offering, including all equity linked financings for a period commencing on the date of this Satisfaction and Discharge and ending twenty-four (24) months after the closing of the Business Combination (each, a “Subject Transaction”) on terms and conditions customary to Representative. Representative shall have the sole right to determine whether any other broker dealer shall have the right to participate in the Subject Transactions and the economic terms of such participation. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Company shall not retain, engage or solicit any additional investment banker, book-runner, financial advisor, underwriter and/or placement agent in a Subject Transaction without the express written consent of EF Hutton.

 

2

 

 

ARTICLE II

POST-SATISFACTION COMPANY COVENANTS

 

After EF Hutton has acknowledged the satisfaction and discharge of the Deferred Underwriting Compensation, the Company irrevocably covenants to perform the following after execution of this Agreement:

 

2.1 Registration Rights. Within fifteen (15) days of the closing of the Business Combination, the Company shall cause to be registered under the Securities Act all of the Ordinary Shares that EF Hutton requests to be registered.
   
2.2 Alternatively, and without prejudice to any of EF Hutton’s rights and remedies set forth in Sections 2.1, if after twelve (12) months from the date of this Agreement (the “Twelve- month Period Date”), the Company has not registered any of Ordinary Shares on an effective Registration Statement, then the Company will confirm in writing that such Ordinary Shares are freely sellable under Rule 144, if Rule 144 is available. No later than the Twelve-month Period Date, the Company shall provide EF Hutton a valid legal opinion that its Ordinary Shares are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144, if Rule 144 is available.

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

3.1 This Satisfaction and Discharge shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
   
3.2 This Satisfaction and Discharge may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
   
3.3 The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that EF Hutton shall be entitled to all of their rights, protections, indemnities and immunities in connection with their execution of this Satisfaction and Discharge and the performance of any obligations hereunder or in connection herewith.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, EF Hutton and the Company have caused their corporate names to be hereunto affixed, and this instrument to be signed by their respective authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

3

 

 

EF HUTTON LLC  
     
By: /s/ Sam Fleischman  
Name: Sam Fleischman  
Title: Supervisory Principal  
     
ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.  
     
By: /s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan  
Name: Heng Fai Ambrose Chan  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  
   
HWH INTERNATIONAL INC.  
   
By: /s/ Lui Wai Leung Alan  
Name: Lui Wai Leung Alan
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

4

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

   August 31,   November 30, 
   2023   2022 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $812,293   $1,172,581 
Due from Sponsor   3,863    13,000 
Other current assets   285,000    9,043 
Total current assets   1,101,156    1,194,624 
           
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account   20,977,754    88,102,610 
Total assets  $22,078,910   $89,297,234 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $524,377   $376,541 
Extension Loan – Related Party   205,305    - 
Total current liabilities   729,682    376,541 
           
Deferred underwriting compensation   3,018,750    3,018,750 
Total liabilities   3,748,432    3,395,291 
           
Temporary equity:          
Class A common stock subject to possible redemption; 1,976,036 and 8,625,000 shares (at approximately $10.32 and $10.20 per share) as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022   20,382,965    87,934,212 
           
Stockholders’ deficit:          
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding   -    - 
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 473,750 issued and outstanding (excluding 1,976,036 and 8,625,000 shares subject to possible redemption as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, respectively)   47    47 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 2,156,250 shares issued and outstanding as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022   216    216 
           
Additional paid-in capital   -    - 
Accumulated deficit   (2,052,750)   (2,032,532)
Total stockholders’ deficit   (2,052,487)   (2,032,269)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit  $22,078,910   $89,297,234 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

 
 

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Three   For the Three 
   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   August 31, 2023   August 31, 2022 
EXPENSES          
Administration fee - related party  $30,000   $30,000 
General and administrative   315,777    87,454 
Franchise Tax   50,000    50,000 
TOTAL EXPENSES   395,777    167,454 
           
OTHER INCOME          
Investment income earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account   264,876    289,586 
TOTAL OTHER INCOME   264,876    289,586 
           
Pre-tax income (loss)   (130,901)   122,132 
           
Income tax expense   45,124    - 
           
Net income (loss)  $(176,025)  $122,132 
           
Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding, basic and diluted   2,449,786    9,098,750 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock  $(0.04)  $0.01 
           
Weighted average number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding, basic and diluted   2,156,250    2,156,250 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class B common stock  $(0.04)  $0.01 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

 
 

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Nine   For the Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   August 31, 2023   August 31, 2022 
EXPENSES          
Administration fee - related party  $90,000   $70,000 
General and administrative   540,847    153,751 
Franchise Tax   155,000    118,398 
TOTAL EXPENSES   785,847    342,149 
           
OTHER INCOME          
Investment income earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account   1,940,734    356,799 
TOTAL OTHER INCOME   1,940,734    356,799 
           
Pre-tax income   1,154,887    14,650 
           
Income tax expense   375,004    - 
           
Net income  $779,883   $14,650 
           
Weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding, basic and diluted   6,138,262    6,940,287 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock  $0.09   $(0.00)
           
Weighted average number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding, basic and diluted   2,156,250    2,156,250 
           
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of Class B common stock  $0.09   $(0.00)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

 
 

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2023 AND AUGUST 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

 

   Class A   Class B   Additional         
   Common Stock   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
Balance at November 30, 2022   473,750   $47    2,156,250   $216   $-   $(2,032,532)  $(2,032,269)
                                    
Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption value   -    -    -    -    -    (594,796)   (594,796)
                                    
Extension Loan   -    -    -    -    -    (205,305)   (205,305)
                                    
Net income   -         -    -    -    -    779,883    779,883 
                                    
Balance at August 31, 2023   473,750   $47    2,156,250   $216   $     -   $(2,052,750)  $(2,052,487)

 

   Class A   Class B   Additional         
   Common Stock   Common Stock   Paid-in   Accumulated     
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
Balance at November 30, 2021      $-    2,156,250   $216   $24,784   $(5,000)  $20,000 
                                    
Issuance of Shares at Initial Public Offering   8,625,000    863    -    -    86,249,137    -    86,250,000 
                                    
Deferred underwriting compensation   -    -    -    -    (3,018,750)   -    (3,018,750)
                                    
Sale of Private Placement Units   473,750    47    -    -    4,737,453    -    4,737,500 
                                    
Underwriter’s fees and other issuance costs   -    -    -    -    (2,200,348)   -    (2,200,348)
                                    
Remeasurement of Class A common stock to redemption value   (8,625,000)   (863)   -    -    (87,111,637)   -    (87,112,500)
                                    
Class A Common Stock Measurement Adjustment   -    -    -    -    (1,319,361)   (1,476,160)   (156,799)
                                    
Net income   -    -    -    -    -    14,650    14,650 
                                    
Balance at August 31, 2022   473,750   $47    2,156,250   $216   $-   $(1,466,510)  $(1,466,247)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

 
 

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   For the Nine   For the Nine 
   Months Ended   Months Ended 
   August 31, 2023   August 31, 2022 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:          
Net income  $779,883   $14,650 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Investment income earned on cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account   (1,940,734)   (356,799)
Formation and organization costs paid by related parties   -    5,000 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Prepaid expenses   (285,000)   (50,000)
Other current assets   9,043    (36,314)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   147,836    237,618 
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities   (1,288,972)   (185,845)
           
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:          
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account for taxes   919,547    - 
Due from Sponsor   -    (6,500)
Cash withdrawn from Trust Account for redemptions   68,351,348    - 
Cash deposited into Trust Account   (205,305)   (87,112,500)
Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Investing Activities   69,065,590    (87,119,000)
           
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:          
Proceeds from sale of Units in Public Offering, net of underwriting fee   -    84,525,000 
Repayment of Class A Common Stock   (68,351,348)   - 
Proceeds from sale of Private Placement Units   -    4,737,500 
Due from Sponsor   9,137    - 
Proceeds from extension loan   205,305    - 
Proceeds from related party advances   33,475    - 
Repayment of related party advances   (33,475)   (211,153)
Payment of offering costs   -    (289,195)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities   (68,136,906)   88,762,152 
           
Net change in cash   (360,288)   1,457,307 
Cash at beginning of period   1,172,581    50,000 
Cash at end of period  $812,293   $1,507,307 
           
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:          
Deferred underwriters’ commissions charged to temporary equity in connection with the Initial Public Offering  $-   $3,018,750 
Initial classification of Class A Common Stock subject to redemption  $-   $87,112,500 
Remeasurement of Class A Common Stock subject to redemption  $594,796   $1,319,361 
Extension funds attributable to common stock subject to redemption  $205,305   $- 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

 
 

 

ALSET CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.

 

Notes to the UNAUDITED financial statements

 

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY

 

Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on October 20, 2021. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Business Combination”). The Company is not limited to a particular industry or sector for purposes of consummating a Business Combination. The Company is an early stage and emerging growth company and, as such, the Company is subject to all of the risks associated with early stage and emerging growth companies.

 

As of August 31, 2023, the Company has not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from October 20, 2021 (inception) through August 31, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), which is described below and the pursuit of a suitable acquisition candidate. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering. The Company has selected November 30 as its fiscal year end.

 

On September 9, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation (“HWH”) and HWH Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). The Company and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to collectively as the “ACAX Parties.” Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a business combination between the Company and HWH will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into HWH, with HWH surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), it is anticipated that the Company will change its name to “HWH International Inc.” The board of directors of the Company has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by the stockholders of the Company.

 

HWH is wholly–owned by Alset International Limited, a public company listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. Alset International Limited is majority-owned and controlled by certain officers and directors of the Company and its sponsor. The Company’s sponsor is owned by Alset International Limited and Alset Inc.; Alset Inc. is the majority stockholder of Alset International Limited, and Chan Heng Fai, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is also the majority stockholder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alset Inc., and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HWH and Alset International Limited. The Merger is expected to be consummated in the fourth quarter of 2023, following the receipt of the required approval by the shareholder of HWH and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions. This transaction was approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Special Meeting of stockholders held on August 1, 2023.

 

The total consideration to be paid at Closing (the “Merger Consideration”) by the Company to the HWH shareholders will be $125,000,000, and will be payable in shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”). The number of shares of the Company Common Stock to be paid to the shareholders of HWH as Merger Consideration will be 12,500,000, with each share being valued at $10.00. All cash proceeds remaining in the trust will be used to pay transaction costs and as growth capital for HWH.

 

The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on January 31, 2022. On February 3, 2022, the Company consummated the Initial Public Offering of 8,625,000 units (“Units” and, with respect to the shares of common stock included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), generating gross proceeds of $86,250,000, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 1,125,000 Units generating additional gross proceeds to the Company of $11,250,000, which is described in Note 3.

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated the private sale of 473,750 units (the “Private Placement Units”) at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit in private placement to Alset Acquisition Sponsor, LLC (the “Sponsor”) generating gross proceeds to the Company in the amount of $4,737,500.

 

 
 

 

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Units, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied toward consummating a Business Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to complete a Business Combination successfully. The Company must complete one or more initial Business Combinations with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (as defined below) (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account). The Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires 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 (the “Investment Company Act”). Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering, management has agreed that an amount equal to at least $10.10 per Unit sold in the Initial Public Offering, including proceeds from the Private Placement Units, will be held in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by the Company meeting certain conditions of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the funds held in the Trust Account, as described below.

 

The Company will provide the holders of the outstanding Public Shares (the “Public Stockholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares either (i) in connection with a stockholder meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer in connection with the Business Combination. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Stockholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.10 per Public Share, plus any pro rata interest then in the Trust Account, net of taxes payable). There will be no redemption rights upon the completion of a Business Combination with respect to the Company’s warrants. The Public Shares subject to redemption will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

All of the Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of such Public Shares in connection with the Company’s liquidation, if there is a stockholder vote or tender offer in connection with the Company’s Business Combination and in connection with certain amendments to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. In accordance with the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and its guidance on redeemable equity instruments, which has been codified in ASC 480-10-S99, redemption provisions not solely within the control of a company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. Given that the Public Shares will be issued with other freestanding instruments (i.e., public warrants), the initial carrying value of Class A common stock classified as temporary equity will be the allocated proceeds determined in accordance with ASC 470-20. The Class A common stock is subject to ASC 480-10-S99. If it is probable that the equity instrument will become redeemable, we have the option to either (i) accrete changes in the redemption value over the period from the date of issuance (or from the date that it becomes probable that the instrument will become redeemable, if later) to the earliest redemption date of the instrument or (ii) recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. We have elected to recognize the changes immediately. The accretion or remeasurement will be treated as a deemed dividend (i.e., a reduction to retained earnings, or in absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital). The Public Shares are redeemable and will be classified as such on the balance sheet until such date that a redemption event takes place. Redemptions of the Company’s Public Shares may be subject to the satisfaction of conditions, including minimum cash conditions, pursuant to an agreement relating to the Company’s Business Combination.

 

 
 

 

If the Company seeks stockholder approval of the Business Combination, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if a majority of the outstanding shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination, or such other vote as required by law or stock exchange rule. If a stockholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a stockholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to its second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, stockholder approval of the transaction is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain stockholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor has agreed to vote its Founder Shares (as defined in Note 5) and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of approving a Business Combination. Additionally, each Public Stockholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares without voting, and if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company seeks stockholder approval of a Business Combination and it does not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

 

The holders of the Founder Shares have agreed (a) to waive their redemption rights with respect to the Founder Shares and Public Shares held by them in connection with the completion of a Business Combination and (b) not to propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemptions in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period (as defined below) or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-business combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

 

The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of February 2, 2022 provided that if the Company had not completed a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of Initial Public Offering (or 15 months if we had filed a proxy statement, registration statement or similar filing for an initial Business Combination within 12 months from the consummation of Initial Public Offering but had not completed the initial Business Combination within such 12-month period, or up to 21 months if we extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, at the election of the Company by two separate three month extensions, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including the deposit of up to $862,500 ($0.10 per unit in either case) for each three month extension, into the trust account, or as extended by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Company’s warrants, which will expire worthless if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period.

 

The holders of the Founders Shares have agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the holders of Founder Shares acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, such Public Shares will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters have agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commission (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the other funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the assets remaining available for distribution will be less than the Initial Public Offering price per Unit ($10.00).

 

 
 

 

In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor has agreed to be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per Public Share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Moreover, in the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have all vendors, service providers (except for the Company’s independent registered accounting firm), prospective target businesses and other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account.

 

On May 1, 2023, the Company amended the Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) with Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association (“Wilmington Trust”), which was entered into on January 31, 2022 and on May 2, 2023 the Company filed an Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Trust Agreement and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are now amended, in part, so that the Company’s ability to complete a business combination may be extended in additional increments of one month up to a total of twenty-one (21) additional months from the closing date of the Offering, subject to the payment into the trust account by the Company of one-third of 1% of the funds remaining in the trust account following any redemptions in connection with the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

In connection with the Special Meeting on May 1, 2023, Class A Common Stock stockholders redeemed 6,648,964 shares for approximately $68.4 million held in the Trust Account.

 

During the nine months ended August 31, 2023, the Company withdrew $919,547 from the Trust account. $616,490 of these funds were used to pay income and franchise taxes. $303,057 remain in the Company’s bank account for future taxes and dissolution expenses.

 

Going Concern and Management’s Plan

 

The Company expects to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans and will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial business combination, at the earliest. In addition, the Company expects to have negative cash flows from operations as it pursues an initial business combination target. In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” the Company does not currently have adequate liquidity to sustain operations, which consist solely of pursuing a Business Combination.

 

The Company may raise additional capital through loans or additional investments from the Sponsor or its stockholders, officers, directors, or third parties. The Company’s officers and directors and the Sponsor may, but are not obligated to (except as described above), loan the Company funds, from time to time, in whatever amount they deem reasonable in their sole discretion, to meet the Company’s working capital needs. Based on the foregoing, the Company believes it will have sufficient cash to meet its needs through the earlier of consummation of a Business Combination or the deadline to complete a Business Combination pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (unless otherwise amended by shareholders).

 

 
 

 

While the Company expects to have sufficient access to additional sources of capital if necessary, there is no current commitment on the part of any financing source to provide additional capital and no assurances can be provided that such additional capital will ultimately be available. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of time within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. There is no assurance that the Company’s plans to raise additional capital (to the extent ultimately necessary) or to consummate a Business Combination will be successful or successful within the Combination Period. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

As is customary for a special purpose acquisition company, if the Company is not able to consummate a Business Combination during the Combination Period, it will cease all operations and redeem the Public Shares. Management plans to continue its efforts to consummate a Business Combination during the Combination Period.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the economic effects of the pandemic could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The balance sheet does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

In the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited interim financial statements include all adjustments, which are only of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 2023 and its results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending November 30, 2023.

 

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, as amended (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 independent registered public accounting firm 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 stockholder 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 accounting standards used.

 

 
 

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company’s 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 balance sheet.

 

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 balance sheet, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company had cash of $812,293 and $1,172,581 as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, respectively. The Company had no cash equivalents as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022.

 

Investments held in Trust Account

 

At August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $21.0 million and $88.1 million, respectively, in investments in treasury securities held in the Trust Account.

 

Offering Costs associated with the Initial Public Offering

 

The Company complies with the requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 5A, Offering Costs. Offering costs of $475,348 consist principally of costs incurred in connection with the preparation for the Initial Public Offering. These costs, together with the underwriter’s discount of $4,743,750, were allocated between temporary equity, the Public Warrants and the Private Units in a relative fair value method upon completion of the Initial Public Offering.

 

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

 

The Company accounts for its common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance enumerated in ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. Common stock subject to possible redemption are classified as a liability instrument and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including shares of common stock 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, shares of common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered by the Company to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in the amount of $20,382,965 and $87,934,212, respectively, are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets.

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company applies the two-class method in calculating earnings per share. Earnings and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. The calculation of diluted income (loss) per share of common stock does not consider the effect of the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering because the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted earnings per common stock are the same as basic earnings per ordinary share for the periods presented.

 

 
 

 

The following tables reflects the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:

 

   For the Three Months Ended 
   August 31, 2023 
   Class A   Class B 
Basic and diluted net income per share of common stock          
Numerator:          
Allocation of net income  $(93,621)  $(82,404)
Denominator:          
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding   2,449,786    2,156,250 
           
Basic and diluted net income per share of common stock  $(0.04)  $(0.04)

 

   For the Three Months Ended 
   August 31, 2022 
   Class A   Class B 
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock          
Numerator:          
Allocation of net loss  $112,132   $23,398 
Denominator:          
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding   9,098,750    2,156,250 
           
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock  $0.01   $0.01 

 

   For the Nine Months Ended 
   August 31, 2023 
   Class A   Class B 
Basic and diluted net income per share of common stock          
Numerator:          
Allocation of net income  $577,144   $202,739 
Denominator:          
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding   6,138,262    2,156,250 
           
Basic and diluted net income per share of common stock  $0.09   $0.09 

 

   For the Nine Months Ended 
   August 31, 2022 
   Class A   Class B 
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock          
Numerator:          
Allocation of net loss  $14,650   $3,473 
Denominator:          
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding   6,940,287    2,156,250 
           
Basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock  $(0.00)  $(0.00)

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

 
 

 

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statements’ 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 recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 34% and (32)% for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate was 0% and 0% for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023, due to changes in the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets.

 

The Inflation Reduction Act (“IR Act”) was enacted on August 16, 2022. The IR Act includes provisions imposing a 1% excise tax on share repurchases that occur after December 31, 2022 and introduces a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on adjusted financial statement income. The CAMT will be effective for us beginning in fiscal 2024. We currently are not expecting the IR Act to have a material adverse impact to our financial statements.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of a cash account in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Coverage of $250,000. The Company has not experienced losses on this account.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid to transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. US GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

 

  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;
     
  Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
     
  Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

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 the Company’s financial statements.

 

 
 

 

NOTE 3 — INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

 

Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, the Company sold 7,500,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit generating gross proceeds to the Company in the amount of $75,000,000. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock, one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”) and one right. Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7). Each right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Class A common stock upon the consummation of an initial Business Combination.

 

On February 3, 2022, the underwriters purchased an additional 1,125,000 Units pursuant to the full exercise of the over-allotment option. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating additional gross proceeds to the Company of $11,250,000.

 

NOTE 4 — PRIVATE PLACEMENTS

 

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 440,000 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit generating gross proceeds in the amount of $4,400,000. In connection with the full exercise of the over-allotment option, the Sponsor purchased an additional 33,750 Private Placement Units at a purchase price of $10.00 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $337,500. Each Private Placement Unit is comprised of one Class A common share, one-half of one warrant and one right. Each private placement right entitles the holder thereof to receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Class A common stock upon the consummation of an initial Business Combination. Each whole private placement warrant is exercisable to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 7).

 

The proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Units were added to the net proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Units held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.

 

NOTE 5 — RELATED PARTIES

 

Founder Shares

 

On November 8, 2021, the Sponsor received 2,156,250 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”) for $25,000. The Founder Shares include an aggregate of up to 281,250 shares subject to forfeiture to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment is not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares will equal, on an as-converted basis, to approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock after the Initial Public Offering (excluding the placement units and underlying securities). In connection with the exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option, these shares are no longer subject to forfeiture.

 

The holder of the Founder Shares have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Business Combination and (B) subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) if the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Public Stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

 

Promissory Note — Related Party

 

On November 8, 2021, the Sponsor issued an unsecured promissory note to the Company (the “Promissory Note”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $300,000. The Promissory Note is non-interest bearing and payable on the earlier of (i) May 8, 2022, or (ii) the consummation of the Initial Public Offering. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, there was no amount outstanding under the Promissory Note.

 

 
 

 

Advances from Related Party

 

The Sponsor paid certain offering costs on behalf of the Company and advanced working capital to the Company. These advances are due on demand and are non-interest bearing. During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Sponsor paid a total of $75,000 of offering and operating costs on behalf of the Company. During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of $211,153. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, $0 and $0 was due to the related party, respectively.

 

General and Administrative Services

 

Commencing on the date the Units are first listed on the Nasdaq, the Company has agreed to pay the Sponsor a total of $10,000 per month for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative support for up to 24 months. Upon completion of the Initial Business Combination or the Company’s liquidation, the Company will cease paying these monthly fees. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023, the Company recorded a charge of $30,000 and $90,000, respectively, to the statement of operations pursuant to the agreement. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2022, the Company recorded a charge of $30,000 and $70,000, respectively, to the statement of operations pursuant to the agreement.

 

Related Party Loans

 

Working Capital Loans

 

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). Such Working Capital Loans would be evidenced by promissory notes. The notes may be repaid upon completion of a Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted upon completion of a Business Combination into units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Such units would be identical to the Private Placement Units. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, there were no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Loans.

 

Extension Loan

 

On May 1, 2023, the Company amended the Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) with Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association (“Wilmington Trust”), which was entered into on January 31, 2022 and on May 2, 2023 the Company filed an Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Trust Agreement and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are now amended, in part, so that the Company’s ability to complete a business combination may be extended in additional increments of one month up to a total of twenty-one (21) additional months from the closing date of the Offering, subject to the payment into the trust account by the Company of one-third of 1% of the funds remaining in the trust account following any redemptions in connection with the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Sponsor has funded the first 30-day extension payment on May 3, 2023. The Sponsor has also made subsequent extension payments on June 5th and July 6th of $68,928 and $69,158, respectively. The Sponsor is entitled to the repayment of these extension payments, without interest. If the Company completes its initial Business Combination, it will, at the option of the Sponsor, repay the extension payments out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to it or issue securities of the Company in lieu of repayment. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022 there was $205,305 and $0 outstanding under the extension loan.

 

 
 

 

Due from Sponsor

 

Due from sponsor was $3,863 and $13,000 at August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, respectively and represents expenses paid by the Company on behalf of the Sponsor.

 

NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Registration Rights

 

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or warrants issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of Initial Public Offering requiring the Company to register such securities for resale. The holders of these securities will be entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form registration demands, that the Company register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to completion of a Business Combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not be required to effect or permit any registration or cause any registration statement to become effective until the securities covered thereby are released from their lock-up restrictions. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

The Company granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of Initial Public Offering to purchase up to 1,125,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any, at the Initial Public Offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On February 3, 2022, the underwriters elected to fully exercise their over-allotment option. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating additional gross proceeds to the Company of $11,250,000.

 

The underwriters were paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per Unit, or $1,725,000 in the aggregate, upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per Unit, or $ $3,018,750 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes a Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

 

NOTE 7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Preferred Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

 

Class A Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, there were 473,750 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, respectively, (excluding 1,976,036 and 8,625,000, respectively, shares of the Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption that were classified as temporary equity in the accompanying balance sheets).

 

Class B Common Stock — The Company is authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to one vote for each share. As of August 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022, there were 2,156,250 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Only holders of the Class B common stock will have the right to vote on the election of directors prior to the Business Combination. Holders of Class A common stock and holders of Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders except as otherwise required by law. In connection with our initial Business Combination, we may enter into a stockholders’ agreement or other arrangements with the stockholders of the target or other investors to provide for voting or other corporate governance arrangements that differ from those that were in effect upon completion of the Initial Public Offering.

 

 
 

 

The shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into Class A common stock at the time of a Business Combination, on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment. In the case that additional shares of Class A common stock, or equity-linked securities, are issued or deemed issued in excess of the amounts issued in the Initial Public Offering and related to the closing of a Business Combination, the ratio at which shares of Class B common stock shall convert into shares of Class A common stock will be adjusted (unless the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Class B common stock agree to waive such adjustment with respect to any such issuance or deemed issuance) so that the number of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of all shares of Class B common stock will equal, in the aggregate, on an as-converted basis, to 20% of the sum of the total number of all shares of common stock outstanding upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering (excluding the placement units and underlying securities).

 

Rights - Except in cases where the Company is not the surviving company in a Business Combination, each holder of a right will automatically receive one-tenth (1/10) of one share of common stock upon consummation of the initial Business Combination. The Company will not issue fractional shares in connection with an exchange of rights. Fractional shares will either be rounded to the nearest whole share or otherwise addressed in accordance with Section 155 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as further described herein. We will make the determination of how we are treating fractional shares at the time of our initial Business Combination and will include such determination in the proxy materials we will send to stockholders for their consideration of such initial Business Combination.

 

Warrants — Public Warrants may only be exercised for a whole number of shares. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole warrants will trade. The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination and (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of a warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock is available, subject to the Company satisfying its obligations with respect to registration, or a valid exemption from registration is available. No warrant will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, and the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to holders seeking to exercise their warrants, unless the issuance of the shares upon such exercise is registered or qualified under the securities laws of the state of residence of the exercising holder, or an exemption from registration is available.

 

The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the closing of a Business Combination, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file, and within 60 business days following a Business Combination being declared effective, a registration statement covering the issuance of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus relating to those shares of Class A common stock until the warrants expire or are redeemed. Notwithstanding the above, if the Class A common stock is at the time of any exercise of a warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

 

 
 

 

Redemption of Warrants When the Price per Share of Class A Common Stock Equals or Exceeds $18.00 — Once the warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:

 

  in whole and not in part;
     
  at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant;
     
  upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, or the 30-day redemption period to each warrant holder; and
     
  if, and only if, the last reported sale price of the Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganization, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to warrant holders.

 

If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

 

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, as described above, its management will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement. The exercise price and number of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary dividend or recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, except as described below, the Public Warrants will not be adjusted for issuances of common stock at a price below its exercise price. Additionally, in no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Public Warrants. 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 Public Warrants will not receive any of such funds with respect to their Public Warrants, nor will they receive any distribution from the Company’s assets held outside of the Trust Account with respect to such Public Warrants. Accordingly, the Public Warrants may expire worthless.

 

The Private Placement Warrants will be identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units being sold in the Initial Public Offering except the Private Placement Warrants (including the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.

 

NOTE 8 — SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the filing date of our Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2023. Based upon this review, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023 and 2022

 

 
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents

 

 

 

    Page
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022   2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (as combined and restated)   3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (as combined and restated)   4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (as combined and restated)   5
Note to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6

 

1
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
ASSETS          
           
Current Assets          
Cash  $1,041,851   $1,651,088 
Accounts Receivable, net   24,189    9,070 
Inventory   25,844    34,126 
Other receivables   142,759    140,543 
Convertible note receivable - related party   326,146    197,255 
Prepaid expenses   19,555    17,828 
Total Current Assets  $1,580,344   $2,049,910 
           
Non-Current Assets          
Property and Equipment, net  $138,518   $166,338 
Investment in associate, related parties   136,565    207,402 
Deposits   286,822    305,036 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net   694,152    973,069 
Total Non-Current Assets  $1,256,057   $1,651,845 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $2,836,401   $3,701,755 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
Current Liabilities          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $164,810   $63,354 
Accrued commissions   81,797    143,383 
VAT payable   101,275    101,373 
Due to related parties, net   1,898,753    1,663,668 
Operating lease liabilities - Current   451,651    419,303 
Deferred revenue   -    21,198 
Total Current Liabilities  $2,698,286   $2,412,279 
           
Non-Current Liabilities          
Operating lease liabilities - Non-current  $254,702   $559,330 
Total Non-Current Liabilities  $254,702   $559,330 
           
Commitments and Contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ Equity          
Preferred stock, US$0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022  $-   $- 
Common stock, US$.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 10,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023, and 50,000,000 shares authorized; 10,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022   10    10 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (188,909)   (195,203)
Retained earnings   73,389    930,175 
Total HWH International Inc. Stockholders’ equity  $(115,510)  $734,982 
Non-controlling interests   (1,077)   (4,836)
Total Stockholders’ Equity   (116,587)   730,146 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $2,836,401   $3,701,755 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
  

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022

(As combined

and restated

 
         
Revenues:          
- Membership  $12,301   $709,130 
- Non-membership   610,366    303,990 
Total Revenue  $622,667   $1,013,120 
           
Cost of revenues          
- Membership  $(13,837)  $(493,269)
- Non-membership   (223,987)   (99,864)
Total Cost of revenue  $(237,824)  $(593,133)
           
Gross profit  $384,843   $419,987 
           
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative expenses  $(1,325,599)  $(1,126,136)
Total operating expenses  $(1,325,599)  $(1,126,136)
           
Other income (expense)          
Other income  $161,330   $119,058 
Loss on equity method investment, related party   (73,601)   - 
Total Other Income  $87,729   $119,058 
           
Loss before provision for income taxes  $(853,027)  $(587,091)
           
Provision for income taxes   -    - 
           
Net loss  $(853,027)  $(587,091)
           
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests  $3,759   $- 
           
Net loss attributable to common shareholders  $(856,786)  $(587,091)
           
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:          
Foreign currency translation adjustments  $6,294   $68,547 
Total Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:  $6,294   $68,547 
           
Comprehensive Loss  $(850,492)  $(518,544)
           
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted   10,000    10,000 
           
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted  $(85.68)  $(58.71)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

   Common stock (shares)  

Common stock

(amount)

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss

   Retained Earnings  

Total HWH

Int’l Inc. Stockholders’ equity

  

Non-

controlling interests

  

Total

Stockholders’ equity

 
       USD   USD   USD   USD   USD   USD 
                             
Balances at December 31, 2021   10,000   $       10   $         (161,899)  $1,758,474   $              1,596,585                        -   $             1,596,585 
                                    
Net loss                 $(587,091)  $(587,091)   -   $(587,091)
Foreign currency translation adjustment            $(68,547)   -   $(68,547)       $(68,547)
                                    
Balances at September 30, 2022 (as combined and restated)   10,000   $10   $(93,352)  $1,171,383   $1,078,041    -   $1,078,041 
                                    
Balances at December 31, 2022   10,000   $10   $(195,203)  $930,175   $734,982   $(4,836)  $730,146 
                                    
Net loss   -    -        $(856,786)  $(856,786)  $3,759   $(853,027)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   -    -   $6,294    -   $6,294    -   $6,294 
                                    
Balances at September 30, 2023   10,000   $10   $(188,909)  $73,389   $(115,510)  $(1,077)  $(116,587)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2022

(as combined

and restated)

 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net loss  $(853,028)  $(587,091)
           
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Unrealized (gain) loss on related party transactions   (3,049)   2,742 
Loss on equity method investment, related party   70,336    53,768 
Depreciation expense   43,385    23,703 
Non-cash lease expense   382,080    253,475 
Deferred tax assets   -    65,897 
Inventory written off expenses   9,743    - 
           
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Receivable from related party   (4,006)   150,105 
Convertible note receivable - related party   (133,051)   (71,673)
Other receivables   (32,312)   (8,029)
Prepaid commissions   6,385    247,953 
Deposits   975    (56,871)
Inventory   (3,358)   2,869 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   102,079    20,130 
Accrued commissions   (52,076)   38,702 
Income tax payable   -    (31,752)
Value added tax withheld   6,305    12,119 
Deferred revenue   (20,269)   (540,769)
Operating Lease Liabilities   (365,881)   (226,109)
Net cash used in operating activities  $(845,742)  $(650,831)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment  $(13,395)  $(149,597)
Net cash used in investing activities  $(13,395)  $(149,597)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Advance from related parties   269,126    614,844 
Net cash provided by financing activities  $269,126   $614,844 
           
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (590,011)   (185,584)
Effects of Foreign Exchange Rate on Cash   (19,226)   (371,996)
Cash at beginning of period   1,651,088    2,650,814 
Cash at end of period  $1,041,851   $2,093,234 
           
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities          
Initial Recognition of Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Asset and Liability  $75,764   $876,382 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

HWH International Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Note 1. Nature of Operations

 

HWH International Inc. (“HWH”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate F&B business in Singapore and South Korea. The Company operates a membership model in which individuals pay an upfront membership fee to become members. As members, these individuals receive discounted access to products and services offered by the Company’s affiliates. Previously, the Company had approximately 9,000 members, primarily in South Korea. Currently, this membership business has been temporarily stopped.

 

A reorganization of the Company’s legal entity structure was completed in July 2022. The reorganization involved the incorporation of HWH in March 2022 and the acquisition of companies under common control, F&B Holding Pte. Ltd. And F&B One Pte. Ltd in July 2022,as wholly owned subsidiaries of HWH. HWH is wholly-owned by Alset International Limited, a public company listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. In the transactions under common control, financial statements and financial information were presented as of the beginning of the period as though the assets and liabilities had been transferred at that date. Prior years also were retrospectively adjusted to furnish comparative information.

 

 

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The Company mainly focused on the F&B business in 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, substantially all of the Company’s business was generated by its wholly owned subsidiaries, 2% and 70% from HWH World Inc. (“HWH Korea”) and 98% and 30% from F&B business respectively; 48% and 24% from Alset F&B One Pte. Ltd (“F&B1”), 6% and 2% from Hapi Café Korea Inc.(“HCKI”), 22% and 4% from Hapi Café SG Pte. Ltd. (“HCSGPL”) and 22% and 0% from Alset F&B (PLQ) Pte. Ltd. (“F&BPLQ”). HWH Korea was incorporated in the Republic of Korea (“South Korea”) on May 7, 2019. HWH Korea is in the business of sourcing and distributing dietary supplements and other health products through its network of members in South Korea. HWH Korea generates product sales via its direct sale model as products are sold to its members. Through the use of a Hapi Gig platform that combines e-commerce, social media, and a customized rewards system, HWH Korea equips, trains, and empowers its members. F&B1 was incorporated in Singapore on April 10, 2017, HCSGPL was incorporated in Singapore on April 4, 2022, and F&BPLQ was incorporated in Singapore on November 11, 2022. F&B1, HCSGPL, and F&BPLQ are in the F&B business in Singapore.

 

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes include all the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. They have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and additional information as contained in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022. Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. The consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2023 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The other information in these condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods covered. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise.

 

Functional and Reporting Currency

 

The functional and reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“U.S. dollar”). The financial records of the Company’s subsidiaries located in South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong are maintained in their local currencies, the Korean Won (₩) Singapore Dollar (S$) Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), which are also the functional currencies of these entities.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the balance sheets and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserve, income taxes and contingencies. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions

 

For purpose of this disclosure, the fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced sale or liquidation. The carrying values reported in balance sheets for current assets and liabilities approximate their estimated fair market values based on the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

Inventory

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method and includes all costs in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, inventory consisted of finished goods procured from suppliers. The Company continuously evaluates the need for reserve for obsolescence and possible price concessions required to write-down inventory to its net realizable value. The Company determined that total inventory costed $9,743 write off was required and recorded in cost of revenue (non-membership).

 

Leases

 

The Company follows Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02 (FASB ASC Topic 842) in accounting for its operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities. At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange of a consideration. To assess whether a contract is or contains a lease, the Company assess whether the contract involves the use of an identified asset, whether it has the right to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from the use of the asset and whether it has the right to control the use of the asset. The right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. The Company recognizes operating lease expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Right-of-use of assets

 

The right-of-use of asset is measured at cost, which comprises the amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and less any lease incentive received.

 

Lease liabilities

 

Lease liability is measured at the present value of the outstanding lease payments at the commencement date, discounted using the Company incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise mainly fixed lease payments.

 

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Short-term leases and leases of low value assets

 

The Company has elected to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low value assets. Lease payments associated with these leases are expensed as incurred.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures incurred as a consequence of acquiring or using the asset, or that increase the value or productive capacity of assets are capitalized. When property and equipment is retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in statement of operations. Depreciation is computed by the reducing balance method (after considering their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:

 

Office equipment  3 – 5 years
Furniture and Fittings  3 – 5 years
Kitchen Equipment  3 – 5 years
Operating Equipment  3 – 5 years
Renovation  3 – 5 years

 

The Company reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends, and prospects, as well as the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.

 

Deposit:

 

Deposit represents mostly rental deposit paid for the office used.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The Company adopted this new standard in 2019 when it was incorporated.

 

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. The provisions of ASC 606 include a five-step process by which the determination of revenue recognition, depicting the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts reflecting the payment to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 requires the Company to apply the following steps:

 

(1) identify the contract with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, performance obligations are satisfied.

 

The Company generates its revenue primarily from membership fees, product sales and F&B business.

 

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Membership Fee: The Company collects an annual membership fee from its members. The fee is fixed, paid in full at the time upon joining the membership; the fee is not refundable. The Company’s performance obligation is to provide its members the right to (a) purchase products from the Company, (b) access to certain back-office services, (c) receive commissions and (d) attend corporate events. The associated performance obligation is satisfied over time, generally over the term of the membership agreement which is for a one-year period. The Company recognizes revenue from membership fee over the one-year period of the membership.

 

Product Sales: The Company’s performance obligation is to transfer ownership of its products to its Members. The Company generally recognizes revenue when product is delivered to its members. Revenue is recorded net of applicable taxes, allowances, refund or returns. The Company receives the net sales price in cash or through credit card payments at the point of sale.

 

If any member returns a product to the Company on a timely basis, they may obtain a replacement product from the Company for such returned products. We do not have buyback program. However, when the customer requests a return and management decides that the refund is necessary, we initiate the refund after deducting all the benefits that a member has earned. The returns are deducted from our sales revenue on our financial statements. Allowances for product and membership returns are provided at the time the sale is recorded. This accrual is based upon historical return rates for each country and the relevant return pattern, which reflects anticipated returns to be received over a period of up to 12 months following the original sale. Product and membership returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $1,184 and $42,232, respectively. The table below represents a breakout of the returns related to product sales and the returns related to memberships:

 

   Returns 
   Membership   Products   Total 
   $   $   $ 
             
September 30, 2022   42,232    -    42,232 
September 30, 2023   -    1,184    1,184 

 

Food and Beverage: The revenue received from Food and Beverage business for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were $ 609,900 and $ 302,533 respectively.

 

Deferred Revenue

 

The Company records all unearned revenue from membership sales as deferred revenue. Deferred revenue of $0 as of September 30, 2023. Deferred revenue of $21,198 as of December 31, 2022 is consisted of unearned membership fee of approximately $21,198.

 

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Below is a summary of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s contract assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31,2022.

 

   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022 
Prepaid Sales Commission          
           
Balances at the beginning of the period  $6,839   $319,649 
Movement for the period  $(6,839)  $(312,810)
Balances at the end of the period  $0   $6,839 

 

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September 30, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 
Deferred Revenue          
           
Balances at the beginning of the period  $21,198   $700,385 
Movement for the period  $(21,198)  $(679,187)
Balances at the end of the period  $0   $21,198 

 

Value-added Tax

 

The Company is obligated to pay value-added tax (“VAT”), among other things, on its inventory purchase as well as its rent payments and payment of professional fees. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, included in other receivables was VAT paid of $140,138 and $136,563, respectively, due primarily to the purchase of inventory and payment of rents and accounting fees.

 

Similarly, the Company withholds VAT on its product and membership sales. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s VAT payable amounted to $101,275 and $101,373, respectively, due mainly to product and membership sales in the respective periods. VAT is submitted to the government periodically.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue is consisted of the cost of procuring finished goods from suppliers and related shipping, handling fees from 3rd parties money platform, contractor fee for part-times staff, franchise commission and sales commission from membership business.

 

Below is a breakdown of the Company’s cost of revenue for the nine months ended September 30,2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

 

  HWH World Inc (Korea)   Hapi Cafe Korea, Inc.   Hapi Café SG Pte Ltd   Alset F&B One Pte Ltd.   Alset F&B (PLQ) Pte. Ltd.   Health Wealth Happiness Pte Ltd   Total 
September 30, 2023                            
Finished Goods  $604   $10,990   $27,859   $45,653   $26,684   $555   $112,345 
Related shipping  $7,075    -    -    -    -    -   $7,075 
Handling fee   -    -   $3,479   $9,431   $3,123    -   $16,033 
Contractor fee   -    -   $3,242   $12,314   $6,423    -   $21,979 
Franchise commission   -    -    -   $10,006   $4,055    -   $14,061 
Sales Commission  $13,837    -    -    -    -    -   $13,837 
Inventory Written Off  $9,743    -    -    -    -    -   $9,743 
Depreciation   -   $3,259   $27,722   $9,826   $1,944    -   $42,751 
Total of Cost of Revenue  $31,259   $14,249   $62,302   $87,230   $42,229   $555   $237,824 
                                    
September 30, 2022                                   
                                    
Finished Goods  $11,491    -   $11,832   $35,980    -    -   $59,303 
Related shipping  $8,170   $13    -    -    -    -   $8,183 
Handling fee   -    -   $519   $6,472    -    -   $6,991 
Contractor fee   -    -    -   $17,642    -    -   $17,642 
Franchise commission   -    -    -   $7,745    -    -   $7,745 
Sales Commission  $493,269    .    -    -    -    -   $493,269 
Total of Cost of Revenue  $  512,930   $13   $12,351   $67,839    -    -   $  593,133 

 

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Shipping and Handling Fees

 

The Company utilizes the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-25-18B to account for its shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not a promised service (a revenue element). Shipping and handling fees are included in costs of revenue within the statements of operations.

 

Commission Expense

 

The Company compensates its sales leaders with leadership incentives for services rendered, relating to the development, retention, and management of their sales organizations. Leadership incentives are payable based on achieved sales volume, which are recorded in cost of revenue. Member will get 25% commission of the membership fee income if the member successfully refers a new member to subscribe to the membership. The commission will be payable after the referee’s membership is confirmed and been paid by the new member.

 

Advertising Expenses

 

Costs incurred for advertising the Company’s products are charged to operations as incurred. Advertising expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”), which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset will not be realized. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority.

 

The Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions. When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions.

 

The Company has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense.

 

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Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to the common shareholders by weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Fully diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic income per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. There were no dilutive financial instruments issued or outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

 

Non-controlling interests

 

Non-controlling interests represent the equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to owners of the Company, and are presented separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income, and within equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, separately from equity attributable to owners of the Company.

 

On September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate non-controlling interests in the Company were ($1,077) and ($4,836), respectively.

 

Liquidity and Going Concern

 

In nine months of 2023, we incurred a net loss, a loss from operations and negative cash flow from operations as we expanded our business of operating cafés and restructured our membership business.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Company believes that the available cash in bank accounts and anticipated cash from operations is sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. The Company’s capital requirements for the planned expansion is based on, among other items, geographical specific property costs, team requirements, and marketing steps needed. Our expansion shall consist of plans to take over leases of existing Hapi Cafes we currently do not own, as we look to add Hapi Cafes over the next two (2) years. If we take over these existing leases, it will require a minimum investment for each lease we take over for each Hapi Café. Proceeds received as a result of the anticipated business combination, will allow us to seek these expansion plans. Depending on the amount of proceeds we raise as part of the anticipated business combination, we may or may not need or seek additional funding or alter our strategic growth plans after the business combination is effectuated.

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not contain any adjustments that might be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

 

The Company has obtained a letter of financial support from Alset International Limited and Alset Inc., an direct and indirect owner of the Company. Alset International Limited and Alset Inc. committed to provide any additional funding required by the Company and would not demand repayment within the year 2023.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain accounts relating to the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported. We separately reclassified a related party receivable on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Note 3. Restatement of Prior Year Presentation

 

In preparing our 2023 consolidated financial statements, the Company identified errors in the provision for income taxes. We have restated the 2022 consolidated statement of operations to correct the error. We reclassified our provision for $68,955 in federal income tax expenses to general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the Nine Months Ended on September 30, 2022

 

  

As Previously

Reported

  

Note 3.

Restatement of

Prior Year Presentation #

  

As Restated

As Combined

 
   USD   USD   USD 
             
Revenue   1,013,120    -    1,013,120 
Cost of revenue   (593,133)   -    (593,133)
Gross profit   419,987    -    419,987 
                
Operating expenses:               
General and administrative expenses   (1,057,181)   (68,955)   (1,126,136)
Total operating expenses   (1,057,181)   (68,955)   (1,126,136)
                
Other income   119,058    -    119,058 
                
Loss before provision for income taxes   (518,136)   (68,955)   (587,091)
                
Provision for income taxes   (68,955)   68,955    - 
                
Net loss   (587,091)   -    (587,091)
                
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders   (587,091)   -    (587,091)
                
Other comprehensive (loss) income:               
Foreign exchange translation adjustment   (18,958)   87,505    (68,547)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income :   (18,958)   87,505    (68,547)
                
Comprehensive (loss) Income:   (606,049)   87,505    (518,544)
                
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted   10,000    10,000    10,000 
Net (loss) income per common share - basic and diluted   (58.71)   -    (58,71)

 

# Being restated provision for income taxes was adjusted from $68,955 to $0 and general and administrative expenses was adjusted from $$1,057,181 to $1,126,136.

 

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Note 4. Account receivable, net

 

The receivable at September 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and 2021 for $24,189, $9,070 and $2,519, respectively, represents collection received by the credit card processor in F&B business and rent receivable. The Company evaluates the related collection risk periodically in determining if the receivable is fully recoverable. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents an estimate of the losses expected to be incurred based on specifically identified customers’ accounts as well as nonspecific amount, when determined appropriate. Generally, the amount of the allowance is primarily decided by division management’s historical experience, the delinquency trends, the resolution rates, the aging of receivables, the credit quality indicators and financial health of specific customers. Based on such evaluation, an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 was recorded as of September 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

 

Note 5. Prepaid commissions

 

During the normal course of business, the Company pays commission to its members for product sales as well as membership sales. Prepaid commissions are recorded for commission paid on membership sales and recognized as an expense over the same period as the related membership revenue.

 

Note 6. Inventory

 

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the balance of finished goods was $25,844 and $34,126. There is $9,743 inventory write off was required and recorded in cost of revenue (non-membership) during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. And there is no provision for slow-moving or obsolete inventory during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

 

Note 7. Property and Equipment, net

 

The components of property and equipment are as follows (in USD):

 

   HWH World Inc (Korea)   Hapi Cafe Korea, Inc.   Hapi Café SG Pte Ltd   Alset F&B One Pte Ltd.   Alset F&B (PLQ) Pte Ltd.   Total 
September 30, 2023                        
Office equipment  $7,421    -   $15,128   $2,020   $5,224   $29,793 
Furniture and Fittings   -    -   $5,495   $36,634   $2,726   $44,855 
Kitchen Equipment   -   $2,742   $18,823    -    -   $21,565 
Operating Equipment   -    -   $8,243    -    -   $8,243 
Renovation   -   $18,331   $99,610    -    -   $117,941 
                               
Less: Accumulated depreciation                              
Office equipment  $(6,219)   -   $(4,673)  $(1,347)  $(1,306)  $(13,545)
Furniture and Fittings   -    -   $(1,831)  $(24,422)  $(606)  $(26,859)
Kitchen Equipment   -   $(941)  $(5,826)   -    -   $(6,767)
Operating Equipment   -    -   $(2,748)   -    -   $(2,748)
Renovation   -   $(5,805)  $(28,155)   -    -   $(33,960)
Total, net  $1,202   $14,327   $104,066   $12,885   $6,038   $138,518 
                               
December 31, 2022                              
                               
Office equipment  $7,949    -   $15,387   $2,055    -   $25,391 
Furniture and Fittings   -    -   $5,589   $37,262    -   $42,851 
Kitchen Equipment   -   $2,937   $17,320    -    -   $20,257 
Operating Equipment   -    -   $8,384    -    -   $8,384 
Renovation   -   $19,633   $92,291    -    -   $111,924 
                               
Less: Accumulated depreciation                              
Office equipment  $(6,003)   -   $(1,920)  $(15,526)   -   $(23,449)
Furniture and Fittings   -    -   $(815)  $(856)   -   $(1,671)
Kitchen Equipment   -   $(567)  $(2,673)   -    -   $(3,240)
Operating Equipment   -    -   $(1,223)   -    -   $(1,223)
Renovation   -   $(3,272)  $(9,614)   -    -   $(12,886)
Total, net  $1,946   $18,731   $122,726   $22,935    -   $166,338 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded depreciation expenses of $43,385 and $23,702, respectively.

 

Note 8. Accrued Commissions

 

Accrued commissions as of September 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022 represent mainly sales commission payable. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and 2022, sales commission expenses of $13,837 and $493,269 respectively, were recorded and included in Cost of Revenue in the income statement.

 

Note 9. Due to Alset Inc

 

Alset Inc (“AEI”) is the ultimate holding company that is incorporated in United State of America. The amount due to AEI represents amount paid by AEI on behalf of Hapi Café Inc. for its development. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to AEI is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to AEI is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. And the amount due to AEI at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $202,645 and $202,644 respectively.

 

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Note 10. Due to Related Parties

 

Alset International Ltd. (“AIL”) is a fellow subsidiary of the Company that is incorporated in Singapore. The amount due to AIL represents amount paid by AIL on behalf of Health Wealth Happiness Pte. Ltd. For its daily operation. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to AIL is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to AIL is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. And the amount due to AIL at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $1,516,212 and $1,281,427 respectively.

 

Alset Business Development Pte. Ltd. (“ABD”) is a fellow subsidiary of the Company that is incorporated in Singapore. The amount due to ABD represents amount loaned by ABD to Hapi Cafe Inc. (“HCI”) for the investment on Ketomei Pte. Ltd (“Ketomei”) in March 2022. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to ABD is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to ABD is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. And the amount due to ABD at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $178,457 and $179,596 respectively.

 

BMI Capital International Ltd. (“BMI”) is a fellow subsidiary of the Company that is incorporated in Hong Kong. The amount due to BMI represents amount paid by BMI on behalf of HWH World Ltd. For its daily operation. There is no written, executed agreement and no financial/non-financial covenants and the amount due to BMI is non-interest bearing. Since the amount due to BMI is due upon request, it is classified as a current liability. And the amount due to BMI at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $1,438 and $0 respectively.

 

Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity

 

HWH has authorized 500,000,000 shares of common stock (par value $0.001 per share); and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock (par value $0.001 per share). 10,000 shares of common stock and zero shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

Note 12. Related Party Transactions

 

On June 10, 2021, HCI signed a convertible loan agreement with Ketomei, and HCI has agreed to grant Ketomei a loan of an aggregate principal amount of $75,525 (SG$100,000). On March 21, 2022, HCI signed a legally binding term sheet with Ketomei, and HCI has agreed to invest in Ketomei of $258,186 (SG$350,000) for 28% interest in Ketomei. The $263,414 (SG$350,000) investment is partially paid by the $75,525 (SG$100,000) loan borrowed to Ketomei and the accrued interest of $6,022 (SG$6,433). The balance of $183,311 (SG$243,567) was paid in cash.

 

On July 28, 2022 Hapi Café Inc. entered into binding term sheet (the “First Term Sheet”) with Ketomei Pte Ltd and Tong Leok Siong Constant, pursuant to which Hapi Café lent Ketomei $43,254 (SG$60,000). This loan has a 0% interest rate for the first 60 days and an interest rate of 8% per annum afterwards.

 

On August 4, 2022, the same parties entered into another binding term sheet (the “Second Term Sheet”) pursuant to which Hapi Café agreed to lend Ketomei up to $260,600 (SG$360,000) pursuant to a convertible loan, with a term of 12 months. After the initial 12 months, the interest on such loan will be 8%. As of September 30, 2023, the $263,766 (SG$360,000) loan was paid by the $214,903 (SG$293,310) loan borrowed to Ketomei and $48,862 (SG$66,690) was paid for the expenses on behalf of Ketomei. In addition, pursuant to the Second Term Sheet, the July 28, 2022, loan was modified to include conversion rights. The Parties agree that the conversion rate will be at approximately $0.022 per share.

 

On August 31, 2023, the same parties entered into another binding term sheet (the “Third Term Sheet”) pursuant to which Hapi Café agreed to lend Ketomei up to $36,634 (SG$50,000) pursuant to a convertible loan, with a term of 12 months. After the initial 24 months, the interest on such loan will be 3.5%. As of September 30, 2023, the $14,903 (SG$20,341) loan was paid to Ketomei. Hapi Café will pay the balance of $21,731 (SG$29,659) to Ketomei in the future.

 

The amount due from Ketomei at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $326,146 and $197,247 respectively.

 

Revenue from F&B business amounted to approximately $4,981 and $1,216 were related to corporate sales, that revenue was derived from corporate sales to related parties who purchased meals and paid for their staff, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Note 13. Leases

 

The Company has operating leases for its office spaces in South Korea and two F&B stores in Singapore . The related lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Since the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate that can be readily determined, management uses a discount rate based on the incremental borrowing rate. The Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term relating to its operating leases is 1.65 years, with a weighted-average discount rate is 3.78%.

 

16
 

 

The current portion of operating lease liabilities and the non-current portion of operating lease liabilities are presented on the balance sheets. Total lease expenses amounted to $382,080 and $253,475 which was included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total cash paid for operating leases amounted to $425,951 and $226,727 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows (in $):

 

   September 30, 2023 
     
Right-of-use assets   694,152 
      
Lease liabilities - current   451,651 
Lease liabilities - non-current   254,702 
Total lease liabilities   706,353 

 

As of September 30, 2023, the aggregate future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable agreement are as follows (in $):

 

Maturity of Lease Liabilities  Total 
     
12 months ended September 30, 2024   470,665 
12 months ended September 30, 2025   260,284 
Total undiscounted lease payments   730,948 
Less: Imputed interest   (24,595)
Present value of lease liabilities   706,353 
Operating lease liabilities - Current   451,651 
Operating lease liabilities - Non-current   254,702 

 

Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Contingencies

 

From time to time the Company may be named in claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, no legal proceedings, government actions, administrative actions, investigations or claims are pending against the Company or involve the Company that, in the opinion of management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on its business and financial condition. For all periods presented, the Company was not a party to any pending material litigation or other material legal proceedings.

 

Note 15. Disaggregation of Revenue

 

Selected financial information of the Company’s operating revenue for disaggregated revenue purposes by revenue source are as follows (in $): Product sales only represent sales to members, not third parties who are not members.

 

   Nine months ended September 30, 2023   Nine months ended September 30, 2022 
Membership Fee   12,301    709,130 
Product Sales   466    1,457 
Food and Beverage   609,900    302,533 
Total   622,677    1,013,120 

 

17
 

 

Note 16. Concentration Risk

 

The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions in different countries. These balances are usually secured by the central banks’ insurance companies. At times, these balances may exceed the insurance limits. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, uninsured cash balances were $761,614 and $1,435,543, respectively.

 

Major Suppliers

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, five suppliers accounted for approximately over 60% of the Company’s total costs of revenue.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, five suppliers accounted for approximately over 63% of the Company’s total costs of revenue.

 

Note 18. Subsequent Events

 

On January 9, 2024, the Company announced the completion of its previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”), with Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

 

18

 

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Introduction

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Alset present the combination of the historical financial information of Alset and HWH adjusted to give effect for the Business Combination. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2023, combines the historical balance sheet of Alset as of August 31, 2023 and the historical balance sheet of HWH as of September 30, 2023, on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on January 1, 2022, the beginning of the earliest period presented.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 combines the historical statements of operations of Alset for the nine months ended August 31, 2023 and HWH for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions had been consummated on January 1, 2022, the beginning of the earliest period presented.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 combines the historical statements of operations of Alset for the year ended November 30, 2022 and HWH for the year ended December 31, 2022 on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions had been consummated on January 1, 2022, the beginning of the earliest period presented.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been developed from and should be read in conjunction with:

 

● the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

 

● the historical unaudited financial statements of Alset as of and for the nine months ended August 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related notes thereto;

 

● the historical unaudited financial statements of HWH as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the related notes thereto;

 

● the historical audited financial statements of Alset as of November 30, 2022 and 2021, for the year ended November 30, 2022, and for the period from October 20, 2021 (inception) through November 20, 2021 and the related notes thereto;

 

● the historical audited financial statements of HWH as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related notes thereto;

 

● the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of ACAX” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of HWH,” and other financial information relating to Alset and HWH, including the Merger Agreement.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and does not necessarily reflect what the Combined Company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated.

 

Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the Combined Company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited transaction accounting adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed. Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. The Combined Company believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at this time and that the transaction accounting adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

 

 

 

Description of transaction

 

On September 9, 2022, Alset entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Alset, HWH and HWH Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset (“Merger Sub”). Alset and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to collectively as the “Alset Parties.” Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a business combination between Alset and HWH will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into HWH, with HWH surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), it is anticipated that Alset will change its name to “HWH International, Inc.” The board of directors of Alset has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by the stockholders of Alset.

 

The total consideration to be paid at Closing (the “Merger Consideration”) by Alset to the HWH shareholders will be $125,000,000, and will be payable in shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Alset (“Alset Common Stock”). The number of shares of the Alset Common Stock to be paid to the shareholders of HWH as Merger Consideration will be 12,500,000, with each share being valued at $10.00. All cash proceeds remaining in the trust will be used to pay transaction costs and as growth capital for HWH.

 

The Business Combination was approved at a special meeting of Alset’s stockholders on August 1, 2023. Following the approval of Business Combination, 39 of Alset’s public stockholders redeemed their common stock for cash even if they approved the Business Combination.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on final redemption of shares by stockholders.

 

The transaction is expected to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Under the reverse recapitalization model, the Business Combination will be treated as HWH issuing equity for the net assets of Alset, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded. Factors considered to determine that HWH is the acquirer include:

 

  HWH ownership interest post combination
     
  HWH’s business activities will be the business activities of the Combined Entity

 

 

 

 

Pro Forma Information

 

ALSET AND HWH

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

(in thousands)

 

           Pro Forma      Pro Forma 
           Adjustments      Combined 
   HWH   ACAX   Following      Following 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Redemptions      Redemptions 
ASSETS                       
Current assets:                       
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,042   $812   $275   A   1,804 
              (325)  B     
                        
Accounts receivable   24     -      -        24 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   514    289     -        803 
Total current assets   1,580    1,101    (50)      2,631 
                        
Non-current assets:                       
Cash and marketable securities held in Trust Account    -     20,978    (20,978)  A   - 
Investment in associate   137     -      -        137 
Deposit   287     -      -        287 
Right-of-use assets   694     -      -        694 
Property and equipment, net   138     -      -        138 
Total non-current assets   1,256    20,978    (20,978)      1,256 
TOTAL ASSETS   2,836    22,079    (21,028)      3,887 
                        
LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   247    525     -        772 
Extension Loan – Related Party    -     205     -        205 
VAT payable   101     -      -        101 
Due to related party   1,899     -      -        1,899 
Lease liability   451     -      -        451 
Total current liabilities   2,698    730    -       3,428 
                        
Non-current liabilities:                       
Lease liability   255     -      -        255 
Deferred underwriting fee payable    -     3,019    (3,019)  B   - 
Note Payable – Underwriter    -      -     1,184   B   1,184 
Total non-current liabilities   255    3,019    (1,835)      1,439 
Total liabilities   2,953    3,749     (1,835 )      4,867 
                        
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                       
                        
Temporary equity:                       
Class A and Class B common stock subject to possible redemption    -     20,383    (20,383)  C   - 
                        
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):                       
Preferred Series A-2    -      -      -        - 
Preferred Series A-1                     - 
Common stock    -      -     1   D   2 
              1   C     
Class A common stock    -     -    -   E   - 
                        
Class B common stock    -     -    -   E   - 
Additional paid-in capital    -     -    1,189   C   (865)
              (1)  D     
              (2,053)  F     
                        
Accumulated other comprehensive income    (189 )    -      -         (189 )
Accumulated deficit    73     (2,053)   2,053   F    73  
                        
Non-controlling interest    (1 )    -      -         (1 )
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)   (117)   (2,053)   1,190       (980)
TOTAL LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT   2,836    22,079    (21,028)      3,887 

 

 

 

 

ALSET AND HWH

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

           Pro Forma      Pro Forma 
           Adjustments      Combined 
   HWH   ACAX   Following      Following 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Redemptions      Redemptions 
Revenues  $ 623    $-   $-      $ 623  
Cost of revenue    238     -    -        238  
Gross profit    385     -    -        385  
                        
Operating costs and expenses:                       
Selling, general and administrative expenses    1,326     786    -        2,112  
Total operating costs and expenses    1,326     786    -        2,112  
Loss from operations   (941)   (786)   -       (1,727)
                        
Other income (expense):                       
Other income (expense)   88    -    -       88 
Interest income of Trust Account assets   -    1,941    (1,941)  AA   - 
Total other income (expense)   88    1,941    (1,941)      88 
Net income (loss) before income tax provision   (853)   1,155    (1,941)      (1,639)
Income tax provision   -    (375)   -       (375)
Net income (loss)   (853)   780    (1,941)      (2,014)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (4)   -    -       (4)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders   (857)   780    (1,941)      (2,018)

 

   HWH   ACAX   Following 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Redemptions 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock   10,000    -    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock    (85.68 )   -    - 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    6,138,262    16,073,803 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    0.09    (0.13)
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    2,156,250    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    0.09    - 

 

 

 

 

ALSET AND HWH

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

           Pro Forma      Pro Forma 
           Adjustments      Combined 
   HWH   ALSET   Following      Following 
   (Historical)    (Historical)    Redemptions       Redemptions 
Revenues  $1,203   $-   $-      $1,203 
Cost of revenue   656    -    -       656 
Gross profit   547    -    -       547 
                        
Operating costs and expenses:                       
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,583    690    700   BB   2,973 
Total operating costs and expenses   1,583    690    700       2,973 
Loss from operations   (1,036)   (690)   (700)      (2,426)
                        
Other income (expense):                       
Other income (expense)   147                 147 
Interest income of Trust Account assets        990    (990)  AA   - 
Total other income (expense)   147    990    (990)      147 
Net income (loss) before income tax provision   (889)   300    (1,690)      (2,279)
Income tax provision   -    (187)           (187)
Net income (loss)   (889)   113    (1,690)      (2,466)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests   (5)   -    -       (5)
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders   (894)   113    (1,690)      (2,471)

 

   HWH   ACAX   Following 
   (Historical)   (Historical)   Redemptions 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Common stock   10,000    -    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Common stock    (88.91 )   -    - 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    7,478,425    16,073,803 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B common stock subject to redemption   -    0.01    (0.16)
Weighted average shares outstanding - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    2,156,250    - 
Basic and diluted net income per share - Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock   -    0.01    - 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Description of the Merger

 

On September 9, 2022, the Alset entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Alset, HWH and HWH Merger Sub Inc., a Nevada corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset (“Merger Sub”). Alset and Merger Sub are sometimes referred to collectively as the “Alset Parties.” Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, a business combination between Alset and HWH will be effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into HWH, with HWH surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alset (the “Merger”). Upon the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), it is anticipated that Alset will change its name to “HWH International, Inc.” The board of directors of Alset has (i) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) resolved to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and related transactions by the stockholders of Alset.

 

The total consideration to be paid at Closing (the “Merger Consideration”) by Alset to the HWH shareholders will be $125,000,000, and will be payable in shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Alset (“Alset Common Stock”). The number of shares of the Alset Common Stock to be paid to the shareholders of HWH as Merger Consideration will be 12,500,000, with each share being valued at $10.00. All cash proceeds remaining in the trust will be used to pay transaction costs and as growth capital for HWH.

 

Note 2 — Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was prepared in accordance with Article 11 of SEC Regulation S-X as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.” The historical financial information of Alset and HWH include transaction accounting adjustments to illustrate the estimated effect of the Business Combination and certain other adjustments to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the transactions described herein.

 

The transaction is expected to be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization. Under the reverse recapitalization model, the Business Combination will be treated as HWH issuing equity for the net assets of Alset, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not reflect the income tax effects of the transaction accounting adjustments as any change in the deferred tax balance would be offset by an increase in the valuation allowance given the Companies’ incurred losses during the historical period presented.

 

Alset fiscal year end is November and HWH’s fiscal year end of December.

 

Note 3 — Transaction Accounting Adjustments to the Alset and HWH Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2023

 

The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2023 are as follows:

 

  (A) Reflects the reclassification of approximately $21 million of cash and cash equivalents held in the Trust Account at the balance sheet date that becomes available to fund expenses in connection with the Business Combination or future cash needs of the Company, net of $20 million of redemptions.

 

  (B) Reflects the payment of approximately $3 million of deferred underwriters’ fees, of which $0.3 million is paid in cash, $1.2 million is a promissory note and $1.5 million is payable in shares of Combined Company (as agreed on, on December 18, 2023). The cash fees were paid at the closing out of the trust account.

 

  (C) Reflects the reclassification of approximately $20 million of common stock subject to redemption to permanent equity, net of $20 million of redemptions.

 

  (D) Represents the issuance of 12.5 million shares of the post-combination company’s Class A common stock to HWH equity holders as consideration for the acquisition.

 

  (E) Reflects the conversion of Class B shares held by the initial shareholders to Class A shares.

 

  (F) Reflects the reclassification of Alset’s historical accumulated deficit

 

 
 

 

Note 4 — Transaction Accounting Adjustments to the Alset and HWH Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are as follows:

 

(AA) Reflects the elimination of realized and unrealized gains on the trust

 

Note 5 — Transaction Accounting Adjustments to the Alset and HWH Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2022

 

The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

(AA) Reflects the elimination of realized and unrealized gains on the trust

 

(BB) Reflects transaction costs

 

Note 6 — Loss Per Share

 

Net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2022. As the Business Combination are being reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented. Warrants have been excluded from the calculation as they are anti-dilutive.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.6

 

 

HWH International together with Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. Announce Closing of Business Combination

 

  The common stock of the combined company is expected to commence trading on The Nasdaq Global Market under ticker symbol “HWH” on January 9, 2024.

 

Bethesda, MD, January 8, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Alset Capital Acquisition Corp. (“Alset”) (Nasdaq: “ACAX” for common stock and “ACAXR” for rights), today announced the completion of its previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”), with HWH International Inc. (“HWH”), a purpose-driven lifestyle company encompassing differentiated offerings from four core pillars: HWH Marketplace, Hapi Cafe, Hapi Travel Destination and Hapi Wealth Builder. The common stock of the combined company is expected to begin trading on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the new ticker symbol “HWH” on January 9, 2024. The Business Combination was approved at a special meeting of Alset’s stockholders on August 1, 2023. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the previously-trading Class A common stock, and rights of Alset ceased to trade with such rights entitling its holder to receive such one-tenth (1/10) of one share of Alset Class A common stock upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

The Business Combination and related listing of HWH’s common stock are anticipated to allow HWH to continue its growth momentum in the rapidly growing GIG economy.

 

About HWH International Inc.

 

HWH International Inc., a Nevada corporation, is a purpose-driven lifestyle company encompassing differentiated offerings from four core pillars: HWH Marketplace, Hapi Cafe, Hapi Travel Destination and Hapi Wealth Builder. HWH develops new pathways to help people in their pursuit of Health, Wealth and Happiness.

 

About Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

 

Alset is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of entering a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Alset began trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market in February 2022.

 

No Offer or Solicitation

 

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

 
 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by representatives of Alset, HWH, and their respective affiliates, from time to time may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Alset and HWH’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding commencement of trading on Nasdaq, the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, the expected use of proceeds, HWH’s continued growth and expansion and its ability to deliver value to customers and investors, along with those other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by HWH with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 31, 2023, and those that are included in any of HWH’s and Alset’s future filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of HWH and Alset and are difficult to predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Each of Alset and HWH undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

 

Contacts:

 

HWH International Inc.

 

Danny Lim

Chief Operating Officer

HWH International Inc.

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 971-3955

danny@alsetinternational.com

 

Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

 

Rongguo Wei

Chief Financial Officer

Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 971-3955

ronald@alsetinternational.com

 

 

 

 

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Cover
Jan. 08, 2024
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Entity File Number 001-41254
Entity Registrant Name HWH International Inc.
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Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity Address, Address Line One 4800 Montgomery Lane
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 210
Entity Address, City or Town Bethesda
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Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
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Entity Emerging Growth Company true
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period false
Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name Alset Capital Acquisition Corp.

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