BOCNW Blue Ocean Acquisition Corporation

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

Or

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

For the transition period from      to      

Commission File Number: 001-41112

Blue Ocean Acquisition Corp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(240) 235-5049

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of May 13, 2024, there were 6,157,215 Class A ordinary shares and 4,743,750 Class B ordinary shares of the registrant issued and outstanding.

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Interim Financial Statements

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

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

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023

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

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

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

BLUE OCEAN ACQUISITION CORP

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

References in this report (the “Quarterly Report’) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Blue Ocean Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Blue Ocean Sponsor LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results, expectations and plans discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report, including, without limitation, statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 21, 2024 and under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

On June 6, 2023, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with The News Lens Co., Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“TNL”), and TNL Mediagene, a Cayman Islands exempted company and wholly owned subsidiary of TNL (“Merger Sub”). On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the parties thereto will enter into a business combination transaction (the “Business Combination” and together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transactions”), pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will merge with and into us, with us surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of TNL (the “Merger”).

At the closing of the Transactions (the “Closing”), by virtue of the Merger, our outstanding shares and warrants will be canceled and converted into the right to receive equivalent shares and warrants of TNL, and TNL is expected to be the publicly traded company with its ordinary shares and warrants listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”).

We intend to effectuate our initial Business Combination using cash from the proceeds of the Public Offering, the sale of the Private Placement Warrants and the Additional Private Placement Warrants, our capital shares, debt or a combination of cash, shares and debt. The Company is an “emerging growth company”, and as such, the Company is subject to all risks associated with emerging growth companies.

On August 29, 2023, shareholders of the Company held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”) in lieu of the 2023 annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company. At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved the proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to give the Company the right to extend the date by which it has to consummate a business combination from September 7, 2023 to June 7, 2024, by depositing into the Trust Account $60,000 for each of the nine subsequent one-month extensions. In connection therewith the shareholders of record were provided the opportunity to exercise their redemption rights (the “Extension Amendment”). Holders of 12,817,785 shares of Class A ordinary shareholders exercised their right to redemption at a per share redemption price of approximately $10.67. On September 5, 2023, a total of $136,786,445 in redemption payments were made in connection with this redemption. Following the redemption, the Company had a total of 6,157,215 shares of Class A ordinary shares outstanding

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had cash of approximately $38,609 and $61,977 respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 we had a working capital deficit of approximately $5,372,722 and $4,204,802, respectively. We expect to continue to incur significant costs in the pursuit of our acquisition plans. We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to complete a business combination will be successful.

Results of Operations

We did not commence operations until after the closing of our Public Offering in December 2021, and as of March 31, 2024, we have not engaged in any significant operations nor generated any operating revenues to date. We will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of our initial Business Combination. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents. There has been no significant change in our financial or trading position and no material adverse change has occurred since the date of our audited financial statements. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had net loss of $96,276 which was impacted by the change in fair value of warrant liability of $14,970, interest earned on cash held in trust account of $876,674 offset by interest expense of $2,630 and a loss from operations of $985,290.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had net income of $1,639,651 which was impacted by interest earned on marketable securities held in the trust account of $2,138,122, change in fair value of warrant liability of $282,559, unrealized gain on marketable securities held in the trust account of $92,492, and a loss from operations of $308,404.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On December 7, 2021, we consummated our Public Offering of 16,500,000 Units and the Private Placement of an aggregate of 8,235,000 private placement warrants, generating gross proceeds of $173,235,000. On December 9, 2021, the Underwriter exercised in full the option granted to them by the Company to purchase up to 2,475,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, and we issued an additional 990,000 Private Placement Warrants in the Additional Private Placement, generating total gross proceeds of $25,245,000.

Following our Public Offering, the exercise of the over-allotment option and the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, a total of $193,545,000 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $12,517,335 in transaction costs, including $3,795,000 in cash underwriting fees, $6,641,250 of deferred underwriting fees, $1,248,100 of offering costs related to the fair value of the Founder Shares sold to Anchor Investor, and $832,985 of other offering costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, cash used in operating activities was $273,328. Net loss of $96,276 was impacted by interest earned on cash held in the Trust Account of $876,674, change in fair value of warrant liability of $14,970, interest expense of $2,630 and changes in operating assets and liabilities, $711,962.

As of Mach 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, we had investments of $68,271,419 and $67,214,745 held in the Trust Account, respectively. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less taxes paid and deferred underwriting commissions) to complete our initial Business Combination. We may withdraw interest to pay taxes.

In connection with Extraordinary General Meeting, the shareholders of record were provided the opportunity to exercise their redemption rights. Holders of 12,817,785 shares of Class A ordinary shareholders exercised their right to redemption, subsequently a total of $136,786,445 in redemption payments were made in connection with this redemption from the Trust Account. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not withdraw any other interest earned on the Trust Account. To the extent that our capital stock or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our initial Business Combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had cash of $38,609 and $61,977 outside of the Trust Account, respectively. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete our initial Business Combination.

In addition, in order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial Business Combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial Business Combination, we would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. Otherwise, such loans may be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that our initial Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used to repay such loaned amounts. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants of the post-business combination company, at a price of $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender.

On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into a Promissory Note (as defined in Note 5) with the Sponsor pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company up to an aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000. The Promissory Note is payable on the earlier of the date on which the Company consummates a Business Combination or June 7, 2024. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Sponsor will have the option, but not the obligation, to convert the entire principal balance of the Promissory Note, in whole or in part, into private placement warrants of the post-business combination entity at a price of $1.00 per warrant. The terms of such private placement warrants (if issued) will be identical to the terms of the private placement warrants issued by the Company in connection with the IPO. The Promissory Note is subject to customary events of default, the occurrence of any of which automatically triggers the unpaid principal and interest balance of the Promissory Note and all other sums payable with regard to the Sponsor Note becoming immediately due and payable. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the outstanding principal balance under the Note amounted to an aggregate of $1,410,000 and $1,080,000, respectively.

On August 3, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to TNL with a principal amount equal to $400,000 (the “TNL Working Capital Note”). The TNL Working Capital Note is a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note that will not be repaid in the event that the Merger agreement is terminated prior to the Business Combination. The TNL Working Capital Note will be paid on the date on which the Company consummates the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The following shall constitute an event of default under the TNL Working Capital Note: (i) a failure to pay the principal within five business days of the maturity date and (ii) the commencement of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy action. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the outstanding principal balance under the TNL Working Capital Note amounted to an aggregate of $249,906 and $149,946, respectively.

On April 5, 2024, the Company entered into a promissory note with the Sponsor pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to loan the Company a principal amount equal to $750,000 (the “Sponsor Promissory Note”). The Sponsor Promissory Note is a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note which may be drawn down by the Company from time to time to be used for costs and expenses related to the Company’s initial merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses or entities. Pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Promissory Note, if the Business Combination is not consummated, the Sponsor Promissory Note will be repaid solely to the extent that the Company has funds available to it outside of its Trust Account, and that all other amounts will be contributed to capital, forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven or eliminated. The Sponsor Promissory Note is subject to events of default, the occurrence of any of which automatically triggers the unpaid principal of the Sponsor Promissory Note and all other sums payable with regard to the Sponsor Note becoming immediately due and payable. As of March 31, 2024, there was no amount outstanding under the Sponsor Promissory Note.

Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with the authoritative guidance in FASB ASU 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The Company has until June 7, 2024, to consummate a Business Combination. It is uncertain that the Company will be able to consummate a Business Combination by the specified period. If a Business Combination is not consummated by June 7, 2024 and the Company decides not to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, there will be a mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution.

The Company’s evaluation of its liquidity condition and the date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern one year from the date that these condensed financial statements are issued. These condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery of the recorded assets or the classification of the liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

As of March 31, 2024, we did not have any obligations, assets or liabilities that would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations.

Contractual Obligations

Administrative Support Agreement

The Company has an Administrative Support Agreement pursuant to which the Company may reimburse an affiliate of the Sponsor up to an amount of $10,000 per month for office space and secretarial and administrative support.

Registration Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and any warrants that may be issued upon conversion of the Working Capital Loans (and in each case holders of their component securities, as applicable) are entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement effective December 2, 2021, which requires the Company to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to our Class A ordinary shares). The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form 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 the consummation of a business combination and rights to require the Company to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Underwriter’s Agreement

The Company paid a cash underwriting discount of 2.00% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering, or $3,795,000 due to the exercise of the over-allotment option in full. In addition, the underwriter will be entitled to a deferred fee of three and a half percent (3.50%) of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering, or $6,641,250. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter 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. The underwriter has reimbursed the Company for $550,000 for offering expenses. The reimbursement of these costs has been accounted for as a reduction to offering costs of the Public Offering.

Consulting Agreements

The Company and Mr. Leggett entered into a consulting agreement on October 11, 2022, as amended July 31, 2023 (the “Leggett Consulting Agreement”). Under the Leggett Consulting Agreement, Mr. Leggett is entitled to $20,000 per month for certain services Mr. Leggett provides to the Company and its affiliates. Mr. Leggett is separately entitled under the Leggett Consulting Agreement to a success bonus of $250,000 to be paid within 10 business days of the close of the business combination, subject to a reduction by $17,500 for each month in which the Company pays Mr. Leggett a consulting service fee under the Leggett Consulting Agreement. The Company and Mr. Lasov entered into a consulting agreement on November 22, 2022, as amended July 31, 2023 (the “Lasov Consulting Agreement”). Under the Lasov Consulting Agreement, Mr. Lasov is entitled to $32,500 per month for certain services Mr. Lasov provides to the Company and its affiliates. Mr. Lasov is separately entitled under the Lasov Consulting Agreement to a success bonus of $150,000 to be paid within 10 business days of the close of the business combination, subject to a reduction by the amount of each consulting service fee paid to Mr. Lasov by the Company under the Lasov Consulting Agreement. Mr. Lasov has agreed that as of February 1, 2024, he will not be invoicing the Company for services performed under the Lasov Consulting Agreement with the Company. Mr. Leggett has agreed that as of April 1, 2024, he will reduce his monthly service fee under the Leggett Consulting Agreement to $5,000.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our unaudited financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our unaudited financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to fair value of financial instruments and accrued expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Warrant Liabilities

The Company accounts for the Warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the specific terms of the Warrants and the applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815. The assessment considers whether they are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the Warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares and whether the holders of the Warrants could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of issuance of the Warrants and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the Warrants are outstanding. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, such warrants are required to be recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, such warrants are required to be recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance, and each balance sheet date thereafter. Changes in the estimated fair value of liability-classified warrants are recognized as a non-cash gain or loss on the statement of operations.

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 6,175,215 shares of Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, respectively, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets.

Net (Loss) Income Per Ordinary Share

Basic (loss) income per ordinary share is computed by dividing net (loss) income applicable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Consistent with ASC 480, ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, as well as their pro rata share of undistributed trust earnings consistent with the two-class method, have been excluded from the calculation of (loss) income per ordinary share for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their pro rata share of trust earnings. Diluted (loss) income per share includes the incremental number of ordinary shares to be issued to settle warrants, as calculated using the treasury method. For the period from December 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, the Company did not have any dilutive warrants, securities or other contracts that could potentially, be exercised or converted into ordinary shares. As a result, diluted (loss) income per ordinary share is the same as basic (loss) income per ordinary share for all periods presented.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standard

In August 2020 the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815–40) (“ASU 2020-06”). ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The ASU is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, which aims to reduce unnecessary complexity in GAAP. The ASU’s amendments are effective for smaller reporting companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2024. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements and disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. 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 an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected to irrevocably 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, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time public companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another emerging growth company that has not opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company”, we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our Public Offering or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described below.

As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, that was filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024, our management identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting due to the fact that we did not have the necessary business processes and related internal controls formally designed and implemented related to accrued expenses and accounts payable. As a result, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles including implementing the remediation activities as described below. Accordingly, management believes that the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q present fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the period presented.

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Historical Remediation Activities 

As previously disclosed in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, management identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting related to accrued expenses and accounts payable.

The Company has performed the following remediation activities to confirm its accounts payable obligations:

We are committed to ensuring that our internal controls are designed and operating effectively. Management believes the efforts taken to date and the planned remediation will improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. While these remediation efforts are ongoing, the controls must also be operating effectively for a sufficient period of time and be tested by management in order to consider them remediated and conclude that the controls are operating effectively to address the risks of material misstatement.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

Except for the steps taken as part of the remediation activities described above, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings and no material legal proceedings have been threatened by us or, to the best of our knowledge, against us.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Factors that could cause our business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition to differ materially from the descriptions provided in this report include the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024. In addition, the following risk factor could also have such an effect.

A 1% U.S. federal excise tax may decrease the value of our securities following an initial business combination, or hinder our ability to consummate an initial business combination.

Pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”), commencing in 2023, a 1% U.S. federal excise tax is imposed on certain repurchases (including redemptions) of stock by publicly traded domestic (i.e., U.S.) corporations and certain domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign corporations. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation and not on its shareholders. The amount of the excise tax is equal to 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. Although we are a Cayman Islands company, the excise tax may apply in connection with redemptions or other repurchases that occur in connection with an initial business combination that involves our combination with a U.S. entity and/or our domestication as a U.S. corporation (a “Redemption Event”). In addition, because the excise tax would be payable by us and not by the redeeming holders, the mechanics of any required payment of the excise tax remains to be determined. Any excise tax payable by us in connection with a Redemption Event may cause a reduction in the cash available to us to complete an initial business combination and could affect our ability to complete an initial business combination.

The SEC has recently issued final rules to regulate special purpose acquisition companies. Certain of the procedures that we, a potential business combination target, or others may determine to undertake in connection with such proposals may increase our costs and the time needed to complete our initial business combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete a business combination.

On January 24, 2024, the SEC issued final rules (the “SPAC Rules”) relating to, among other things, disclosures in business combination transactions between special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) such as us and private operating companies; the condensed financial statement requirements applicable to transactions involving shell companies; and the use of projections by SPACs in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions. The SPAC Rules will become effective 125 days after their publication in the Federal Register. In connection with the issuance of the SPAC Rules, the SEC also issued guidance (the “SPAC Guidance”) regarding the potential liability of certain participants in proposed business combination transactions and the extent to which SPACs could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”) based on certain facts and circumstances such as duration, asset composition, sources of income, business purpose and activities of the SPAC and its management team in furtherance of such goals.

Certain of the procedures that we, a potential business combination target, or others may determine to undertake in connection with the SPAC Rules, or pursuant to the SEC’s views expressed in the SPAC Guidance, may increase the costs and the time required to consummate a business combination, and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete a business combination.

If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we may be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate and dissolve the Company.

As described above, the SPAC Guidance relates to, among other things, the circumstances in which SPACs such as us could potentially be subject to the Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder. Whether a SPAC is an investment company will be a question of facts and circumstances under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act. A specific duration period of a SPAC is not the sole determinant, but one of the long-standing factors to consider in determination of a SPAC’s status under the Investment Company Act. A SPAC could be deemed as an investment company at any stage of its operation. The determination of a SPAC’s status as an investment company includes analysis of a SPAC’s activities, depending upon the facts and circumstances, including but not limited to, the nature of SPAC assets and income, the activities of a SPAC’s officers, directors and employees, the duration of a SPAC, the manner a SPAC holding itself out to investors, and the merging with an investment company.

It is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company, including under the subjective test of Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act, based on the current views of the SEC. If we were deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act, we might be forced to abandon our efforts to complete an initial business combination and instead be required to liquidate the Company. If we are required to liquidate the Company, our investors would not be able to realize the benefits of owning shares in a successor operating business, including the potential appreciation in the value of our shares and warrants following such a transaction, and our warrants would expire worthless.

In an effort to mitigate the risk that we may be deemed to have been operating as an unregistered investment company under the Investment Company Act, we instructed Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the trustee with respect to the Trust Account, to liquidate the U.S. government securities held in the Trust Account in November 2023 and to thereafter hold all funds in the Trust Account in an interest bearing demand deposit account until the earlier of the consummation of our Business Combination or our liquidation. There can be no assurance that this action will foreclose a judicial or regulatory finding, or an allegation, that the Company is an investment company.

Termination of the Transactions could negatively impact Blue Ocean.

If the Transactions are not completed for any reason, including as a result of our shareholders declining to approve the proposals required to effect the Transactions, our ongoing business may be adversely impacted and, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the Transactions, we would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

If the Transactions are terminated and our board of directors seeks another business combination target, our shareholders cannot be certain that we will be able to find another acquisition target that would constitute a business combination or that such other business combination will be completed.

The Transactions may be more difficult, costly, or time-consuming than expected, and we may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions.

To realize the anticipated benefits from the Transactions, we must successfully integrate and combine our business with that of TNL Mediagene. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Transactions may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual benefits of the Transactions could be less than anticipated, and integration may result in additional unforeseen expenses. In addition, we and TNL Mediagene have operated and, until the completion of the Transactions, must continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of one or more key employees, the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies that adversely affect each company’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Transactions. Integration efforts between the companies may also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on the Company during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Transactions.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

None.

Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

EXHIBIT INDEX

PART III - SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.