UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
Filed by
the Registrant ☒
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the
appropriate box:
| ☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☐ | Definitive
Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive
Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting
Material under § 240.14a-12 |
PATRIA LATIN
AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other
than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☐ | Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| ☐ | Fee
computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
PRELIMINARY
PROXY MATERIALS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PATRIA
LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
A Cayman Islands Exempted Company
60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor, Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006
NOTICE
OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF
PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
To
Be Held at a.m., Brasilia Time, on , 2024
TO
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.:
You
are cordially invited to attend the extraordinary general meeting of Patria Latin American Opportunity Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands
exempted company (“we,” “us,” “our,” “PLAO” or the “Company”),
which will be held on , 2024, at a.m.,
Brasilia Time, at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP located at Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Torre E –
CJ 17A, São Paulo-SP, 04543-011, Brazil, and via a virtual meeting, or at such other time, on such other date and at such other
place to which the meeting may be adjourned (the “Shareholder Meeting”).
The
Shareholder Meeting will be conducted via live webcast, but the physical location of the Shareholder
Meeting will remain at the location specified above for the purposes of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
(as amended, the “Articles”). If you wish to attend the Shareholder Meeting in person, you must reserve your attendance
at least two business days in advance of the Shareholder Meeting by contacting the Company’s Secretary at plg@patria.com
by a.m., Brasilia Time, on ,
2024 (two business days prior to the initially scheduled meeting date). You will be able to attend the Shareholder Meeting online,
vote and submit your questions during the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM and you are able
to vote prior to the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
The
attached notice of the Shareholder Meeting and proxy statement describe the business PLAO will conduct at the Shareholder Meeting and
provide information about PLAO that you should consider when you vote your shares. As more fully described in the attached proxy statement,
which is dated , 2024, and is first being mailed to shareholders on or about that date, the Shareholder Meeting will be held for the
purpose of considering and voting on the following proposals:
| 1. | Proposal
No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal - A proposal (the “Extension Amendment
Proposal”) to amend, by way of special resolution, PLAO’s Articles, as set
forth in Annex A of the accompanying Proxy Statement, and the investment management trust
agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) dated as of March 9, 2022 by and between
the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the
“Trustee”), as set forth in Annex B of the accompanying Proxy Statement,
to extend the date (the “Termination Date”) by which PLAO has to consummate
a Business Combination (the “Extension Amendment”) from June 14, 2024
(the date which is 27 months from the closing date of the Company’s initial public
offering of Class A ordinary shares (the “IPO”) (the “Current
Termination Date”) on a monthly basis for up to fifteen times by an additional one
month each time after the Current Termination Date as determined by PLAO’s board of
directors (the “Board”), if requested by Patria SPAC LLC, a Cayman Islands
limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and upon one day’s advance
notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, up to September 14, 2025 (the date which is 42
months from the closing date of the Company’s IPO) (the “Articles Extension
Date”), or a total of up to fifteen months after the Current Termination Date, unless
the closing of a Business Combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date
as determined by the Board, for a deposit, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i)
$75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect
to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for each monthly
extension (the “Extension Payment”); and |
| 2. | Proposal
No. 2 - The Adjournment Proposal - To adjourn, by way of ordinary resolution, the Shareholder
Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, (i) to permit further solicitation and vote
of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there
are insufficient Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share and Class B Ordinary
Shares, par value $0.0001 per share in the capital of PLAO represented (either in person
or by proxy) to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, (ii) if the holders of Public Shares
(as defined below) have elected to redeem an amount of shares in connection with the Extension
Amendment such that PLAO would not adhere to the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq
Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), or (iii) if PLAO determines before the Shareholder
Meeting that it is not necessary or no longer desirable to proceed with the other proposals
(the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
Each
of the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal is more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement. Please
take the time to read carefully each of the proposals in the accompanying proxy statement before you vote.
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, commencing within ten (10) business days of the date of the Shareholder Meeting, the Sponsor
(or one or more of its affiliates, members or third-party designees) (the “Lender”) shall make a deposit into the
Trust Account (as defined below) per month up to the earlier of (i) Articles Extension Date, (ii) the completion of a Business Combination
or (iii) liquidation, whichever occurs first, in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note issued by PLAO to the
Lender, for a deposit into the Trust Account, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class
A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for
each monthly extension (the “Extension Payment”). If PLAO completes a Business Combination, it will, at the option
of the Lender, repay the amounts loaned under the promissory note or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory
note into warrants, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants. If PLAO does not complete a Business Combination
by the applicable Termination Date, such promissory note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be
forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven. As our Sponsor (or its designees) may, if the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved,
finance the payment to exercise the Extension Payment, it may have interest in the proposals that are different from, or in addition
to, your interest as a shareholder.
The
purpose of the Extension Amendment Proposal is to allow PLAO additional time to complete an initial business combination (a “Business
Combination”). You are not being asked to vote on a Business Combination at this time.
The
Articles provide that PLAO initially had until June 14, 2023 to complete its initial Business Combination. However, pursuant to the amendment
to the Articles approved on June 12, 2023, in the event that PLAO had not consummated a Business Combination within 15 months from the
closing of the IPO, PLAO could, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to consummate the Business Combination on
a monthly basis for up to twelve times by an additional one month each time after the fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the
IPO, by resolution of the directors, if requested by the Sponsor, until 27 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Second Extension
Right”); provided that the Sponsor (or its designees) must deposit into the trust account funds, for each monthly extension,
the lesser of (i) $300,000 and (ii) $0.03 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding for each monthly extension. Pursuant to the
Second Extension Right, PLAO has extended the date by which we must consummate our initial Business Combination to June 14, 2024. The
Board has determined that it is in the best interests of PLAO to seek an extension of the Termination Date and have PLAO’s shareholders
approve the Extension Amendment Proposal to allow for a period of additional time to consummate a Business Combination. Without the Extension
Amendment PLAO believes that it will not be able to complete a Business Combination on or before the Termination Date. If that were to
occur, PLAO would be precluded from completing a Business Combination and would be forced to liquidate.
As
contemplated by the Articles, the holders of PLAO’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A
Ordinary Shares”), issued as part of the units sold in PLAO’s initial public offering (the “Public Shares”)
may elect to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares in exchange for their pro rata portion of the funds held in a trust account
(the “Trust Account”) established to hold a portion of the proceeds of the initial public offering and the concurrent
sale of the private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”), if the Extension Amendment is implemented
(the “Redemption”), regardless of how such public shareholders vote in regard to the Extension Amendment Proposal.
If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved by the requisite vote of shareholders, the holders of Public Shares remaining after
the Redemption will retain their right to redeem their Public Shares for their pro rata portion of the funds available in the Trust Account
upon consummation of a Business Combination or if PLAO does not complete a Business Combination by the Articles Extension Date (September
14, 2025 (the date which is 42 months from the closing date of the Company’s IPO)).
On
, 2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of the accompanying proxy statement, the redemption price per Class A Ordinary
Share was approximately $ , based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account of approximately $ as of , 2024 (including
interest not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes), divided by the total number of then outstanding Public Shares. The
Redemption price per share will be calculated based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned
on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes two business days prior to the initially
scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting. The closing price of the Class A Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq on , 2024 was $ . Accordingly,
if the market price of the Class A Ordinary Shares were to remain the same until the date of the Shareholder Meeting, exercising redemption
rights would result in a public shareholder receiving approximately $ more/less per share than if the shares were sold in the open market
(based on the per share redemption price as of , 2024). PLAO cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their Class A
Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is lower than the redemption price stated above, as there may
not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares. PLAO believes that such redemption right
enables its public shareholders to determine whether to sustain their investments for an additional period if PLAO does not complete
a Business Combination on or before the Termination Date.
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved, and a Business Combination is not completed on or before the Termination Date, PLAO
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 PLAO (less taxes payable
and up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding Public Shares, which
redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation
distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of PLAO’s
remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to PLAO’s obligations
under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and to requirements of other applicable law. There will be no distribution
from the Trust Account with respect to PLAO’s warrants, which will expire worthless in the event PLAO dissolves and liquidates
the Trust Account. Notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal, the Board will retain the right to abandon
and not implement the Extension Amendment at any time without any further action by our stockholders
Subject
to the foregoing, the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the
affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast by the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B ordinary
shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares” and together with the Class A Ordinary Shares,
the “Ordinary Shares”), voting as a single class, who are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to
vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting.
Approval
of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares, voting as a single class, who are present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. The Adjournment Proposal will only be put forth
for a vote if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal at the Shareholder Meeting or if due to redemptions
in connection with the Extension Amendment, PLAO would not adhere to the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, or if PLAO determines
before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary or no longer desirable to proceed with the other proposals.
The
Board has fixed the close of business on , 2024 as the date for determining PLAO’s shareholders entitled to receive notice of and
vote at the Shareholder Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only holders of record of Ordinary Shares on that date are entitled to have
their votes counted at the Shareholder Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The
Board believes that it is in the best interests of PLAO that PLAO obtain the Extension Amendment. After careful consideration of all
relevant factors, the Board has determined that the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are in the best interests
of PLAO and its shareholders, has declared it advisable and recommends that you vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” the
Extension Amendment proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.
Your
vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Shareholder Meeting, please vote as soon as possible by following the
instructions in the accompanying proxy statement to make sure that your shares are represented and voted at the Shareholder Meeting.
If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions
provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the Shareholder Meeting.
The approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, the affirmative vote of at least
a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an
ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the
issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder
Meeting. Accordingly, if you fail to vote in person or by proxy at the Shareholder Meeting, your shares will not be counted for the purposes
of determining whether the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are approved by the requisite majorities.
If
you sign, date and return your proxy card without indicating how you wish to vote, your proxy will be voted FOR each of the proposals
presented at the Shareholder Meeting. If you fail to return your proxy card or fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how
to vote, and do not attend the Shareholder Meeting in person, the effect will be that your shares will not be counted for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present at the Shareholder Meeting but will otherwise not have any effect on whether the proposals are
approved. If you are a shareholder of record and you attend the Shareholder Meeting and wish to vote in person, you may withdraw your
proxy and vote in person.
TO
EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST DEMAND IN WRITING THAT YOUR CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES ARE REDEEMED FOR A PRO RATA PORTION OF
THE FUNDS HELD IN THE TRUST ACCOUNT AND TENDER YOUR SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT AT LEAST TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE INITIALLY SCHEDULED
DATE OF THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING. IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHT, YOU NEED TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A BENEFICIAL HOLDER AND
PROVIDE YOUR LEGAL NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IN YOUR WRITTEN DEMAND. YOU MAY TENDER YOUR SHARES BY EITHER TENDERING OR DELIVERING
YOUR SHARES (AND CERTIFICATES (IF ANY) AND OTHER REDEMPTION FORMS) TO THE TRANSFER AGENT OR BY TENDERING OR DELIVERING YOUR SHARES (AND
SHARE CERTIFICATES (IF ANY) AND OTHER REDEMPTION FORMS) ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL
AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BANK OR BROKER TO
WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS.
Enclosed
is the proxy statement containing detailed information about the Shareholder Meeting, the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment
Proposal. Whether or not you plan to attend the Shareholder Meeting, PLAO urges you to read this material carefully and vote your shares.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors of PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP. |
|
|
|
|
|
José Augusto Gonçalves de Araújo Teixeira |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
table
of contents
PATRIA
LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
A Cayman Islands Exempted Company
60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor, Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006
EXTRAORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING IN LIEU OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
To
Be Held at a.m., Brasilia Time, on , 2024
This
proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors
(the “Board”) for use at the extraordinary general meeting of PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.,
a Cayman Islands exempted company (“PLAO,” the “Company,” “we,” “us”
or “our”), which will be held on , 2024, at a.m., Brasilia Time, at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP located
at Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Torre E – CJ 17A, São Paulo-SP, 04543-011, Brazil, and via a virtual meeting,
or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be adjourned (the “Shareholder Meeting”).
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT. It is important that your shares be represented at the Shareholder Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that
you hold. You are, therefore, urged to execute and return, at your earliest convenience, the enclosed proxy card in the envelope that
has also been provided.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some
of the statements contained in this proxy statement are forward-looking in nature. 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,” “intend,” “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. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current
beliefs, based on information currently available.
The
following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated
in the forward-looking statements:
| ● | PLAO’s
ability to complete a Business Combination (as defined below); |
| ● | the
anticipated benefits of a Business Combination; |
| ● | the
volatility of the market price and liquidity of the Class A Ordinary Shares (as defined below)
and other securities of PLAO; and |
| ● | the
use of funds not held in the Trust Account (as defined below) or available to PLAO from interest
income on the Trust Account balance. |
The
forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement 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.
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. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause PLAO’s future results, performance or transactions
to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see the section below entitled “Risk Factors”
and in other reports PLAO has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the final prospectus
related to the IPO filed with the SEC on March 9, 2022 (File No. 333-254498) and PLAO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2023. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are based only on information
currently available to PLAO.
Risk
Factors
You
should consider carefully all of the risks described in our (i) initial public offering prospectus filed with the SEC on March 9,
2022, (ii) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and
(iii) other reports we file with the SEC, before making a decision to invest in our securities. Furthermore, if any of the following
events occur, our business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely affected or we could face liquidation.
In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks and uncertainties
described in the aforementioned filings and below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware
of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business, financial condition
and operating results or result in our liquidation.
There
are no assurances that the Extension Amendment will enable us to complete a Business Combination.
Approving
the Extension Amendment (as defined below) involves a number of risks. Even if the Extension Amendment is approved, PLAO can provide
no assurances that a Business Combination will be consummated prior to the Articles Extension Date (as defined below). Our ability to
consummate any Business Combination is dependent on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If the Extension Amendment
is approved, PLAO expects to seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination. We are required to offer shareholders the opportunity
to redeem shares in connection with the Extension Amendment, and we will be required to offer shareholders redemption rights again in
connection with any shareholder vote to approve a Business Combination. Even if the Extension Amendment or a Business Combination are
approved by our shareholders, it is possible that redemptions will leave us with insufficient cash to consummate a Business Combination
on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. The fact that we will have separate redemption periods in connection with the Extension
Amendment and a Business Combination vote could exacerbate these risks. Other than in connection with a redemption offer or liquidation,
our shareholders may be unable to recover their investment except through sales of our shares on the open market. The price of our shares
may be volatile, and there can be no assurance that shareholders will be able to dispose of our shares at favorable prices, or at all.
In
the event the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved and effected, the ability of our public shareholders to exercise redemption rights
with respect to a large number of our Public Shares may adversely affect the liquidity of our securities.
A
public shareholder may request that the Company redeem all or a portion of such public shareholder’s ordinary shares for cash.
The ability of our public shareholders to exercise such redemption rights with respect to a large number of our Public Shares (as defined
below) may adversely affect the liquidity of our Class A Ordinary Shares. As a result, you may be unable to sell your Class A Ordinary
Shares even if the market price per share is higher than the per-share redemption price paid to public shareholders who elect to redeem
their shares.
Changes
to laws or regulations or in how such laws or regulations are interpreted or applied, or a failure to comply with any laws, regulations,
interpretations or applications, may adversely affect our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete our initial Business
Combination.
We
are subject to the laws and regulations, and interpretations and applications of such laws and regulations, of national, regional, state
and local governments and non-U.S. jurisdictions. In particular, we are required to comply with certain SEC and other legal and regulatory
requirements, and our consummation of an initial Business Combination may be contingent upon our ability to comply with certain laws,
regulations, interpretations and applications and any post-Business Combination company may be subject to additional laws, regulations,
interpretations and applications. Compliance with, and monitoring of, the foregoing may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those
laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time, and those changes could have a material
adverse effect on our business, including our ability to negotiate and complete an initial Business Combination. A failure to comply
with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our
ability to negotiate and complete an initial Business Combination. The SEC has, in the past year, adopted certain rules and may, in the
future, adopt other rules, which may have a material effect on our activities and on our ability to consummate an initial Business Combination,
including the 2024 SPAC Rules (as defined below) described below.
The
SEC has recently adopted rules relating to certain activities of SPACs. Certain of the procedures that we, a potential Business Combination
target or others may determine to undertake in connection with such rules may increase our costs and the time needed to complete our
initial Business Combination and may constrain the circumstances under which we could complete an initial Business Combination. The need
for compliance with the SPAC rules may cause us to liquidate the funds in the Trust Account or liquidate PLAO at an earlier time than
we might otherwise choose.
On
January 24, 2024, the SEC adopted new rules and regulations for SPACs (the “2024 SPAC Rules”), which will become effective
on July 1, 2024, that will affect SPAC business combination transactions. The 2024 SPAC Rules require, among other matters, (i) additional
disclosures relating to SPAC business combination transactions; (ii) additional disclosures relating to dilution and to conflicts
of interest involving sponsors and their affiliates in both SPAC initial public offerings and business combination transactions; (iii)
additional disclosures regarding projections included in SEC filings in connection with proposed business combination transactions;
and (iv) the requirement that both the SPAC and its target company be co-registrants for business combination registration statements.
In addition, the SEC’s adopting release provided guidance describing circumstances in which a SPAC could become subject to regulation
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), including its duration, asset composition, business
purpose, and the activities of the SPAC and its management team in furtherance of such goals. The 2024 SPAC Rules may materially affect
our ability to negotiate and complete our initial business combination and may increase the costs and time related thereto.
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements
and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
The
SEC‘s adopting release with respect to the 2024 SPAC Rules provided guidance relating to the potential status of SPACs as investment
companies subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act and the regulations thereunder. Whether a SPAC is an investment company
is dependent on specific facts and circumstances and we can give no assurance that a claim will not be made that we have been operating
as an unregistered investment company:
If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, our activities may be restricted, including:
| ● | restrictions
on the nature of our investments; and |
| ● | restrictions
on the issuance of securities, |
each
of which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
In
addition, we may have imposed upon us burdensome requirements, including:
| ● | registration
as an investment company with the SEC; |
| ● | adoption
of a specific form of corporate structure; and |
| ● | reporting,
record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations
that we are not subject to. |
In
order not to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, unless we can qualify for an exclusion, we must
ensure that we are engaged primarily in a business other than investing, reinvesting or trading of securities and that our activities
do not include investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading “investment securities” constituting more than 40% of our
assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Our business will be to identify and complete
a business combination and thereafter to operate the post-business combination business or assets for the long term. We do not plan to
buy businesses or assets with a view to resale or profit from their resale. We do not plan to buy unrelated businesses or assets or to
be a passive investor.
We
do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held
in the trust account may only be invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16)
of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7
promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations. Pursuant to the trust
agreement, the trustee is not permitted to invest in other securities or assets. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these
instruments, and by having a business plan targeted at acquiring and growing businesses for the long term (rather than on buying and
selling businesses in the manner of a merchant bank or private equity fund), we intend to avoid being deemed an “investment company”
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. Our IPO was not intended for persons who are seeking a return on investments in government
securities or investment securities. The trust account is intended as a holding place for funds pending the earliest to occur of either:
(i) the completion of our initial business combination; (ii) the redemption of any public shares properly submitted in connection with
a shareholder vote to amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) to modify the substance or timing of
our obligation to allow redemption in connection with our initial business combination or to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do
not complete our initial business combination before the Termination Date or (B) with respect to any other material provisions relating
to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; or (iii) absent an initial business combination before the
Termination Date, our return of the funds held in the trust account to our public shareholders as part of our redemption of the public
shares. If we do not invest the proceeds as discussed above, we may be deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act. If we were
deemed to be subject to the Investment Company Act, compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses
for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to complete a business combination. If we are unable to complete our
initial business combination, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata portion of the funds in the trust account that
are available for distribution to public shareholders, and our warrants will expire worthless.
We
may be subject to an excise tax under the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 in connection with redemptions of our Class A
Ordinary Shares after December 31, 2022.
The
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, enacted in August 2022, imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchased by “covered
corporations” beginning in 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Excise Tax”). The Excise Tax is imposed on the repurchasing
corporation itself, not its stockholders. Because we are a “blank check” Cayman Islands exempted company with no subsidiaries
or previous merger or acquisition activity, we are not currently a “covered corporation” for this purpose. A repurchase that
occurs in connection with a business combination with a U.S. target company might be subject to the Excise Tax, depending on the structure
of the business combination and other transactions that might be engaged in during the relevant year. The amount of the Excise Tax is
generally 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. In addition, there are certain other exceptions to the Excise Tax. On
April 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
issued proposed Treasury regulations on the application of the Excise Tax. Although the regulations are not final, taxpayers may generally
rely upon such proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. Among other things, the proposed regulations include a rebuttable
presumption that certain repurchases by a non-U.S. corporation that are funded by U.S. affiliates may nevertheless be subject to the
excise tax. Accordingly, it is possible, depending on the particular circumstances, that we may be subject to the Excise Tax in connection
with a business combination or other redemption of our shares. There can be no assurance, however, that these proposed Treasury regulations
will be adopted in final form.
In
the event the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved and we amend our Articles of Association, Nasdaq may delist our securities from
trading on its exchange following shareholder redemptions in connection with such amendment, which could limit investors’ ability
to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our
Class A ordinary shares, units and warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”). We are subject to compliance
with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements in order to maintain the listing of our securities on Nasdaq. Generally, we must maintain
a minimum amount in shareholders’ equity (generally $2,500,000) and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 300
public holders). Pursuant to the terms of the Articles of Association, in the event that the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved
and the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Trust Agreement are amended, public shareholders may elect
to redeem their public shares and, as a result, we may not be in compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.
We
expect that if our Class A ordinary shares fail to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, our units and warrants will also
fail to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements for those securities. We cannot assure you that any of our ordinary shares,
units or warrants will be able to meet any of Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements following any shareholder redemptions of
our public shares in connection with the amendment of our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Trust Agreement.
If our securities do not meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange.
If
Nasdaq delists any of our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list such securities on another national securities
exchange, we expect such securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material
adverse consequences, including:
| ● | a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
| ● | reduced
liquidity for our securities; |
| ● | a
determination that our Class A ordinary shares constitute a “penny stock” which
will require brokers trading in our Class A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules
and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market
for our securities; |
| ● | a
limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
| ● | a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
The
National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the
sale of certain securities, which are referred to as “covered securities.” Our Class A ordinary shares, units and warrants
qualify as covered securities under such statute. Although the states are preempted from regulating the sale of covered securities, the
federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent
activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case. While we are not aware of a state
having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by special purpose acquisition companies, certain state
securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers, to hinder the
sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities would not
qualify as covered securities under such statute and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
We may not be able to complete an
initial business combination with a U.S. target company if such initial business combination is subject to U.S. foreign investment regulations
or review by a U.S. government entity, such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).
Our Sponsor is controlled by, and has substantial
ties with, non-U.S. persons domiciled principally in the Cayman Islands. Acquisitions and investments by non-U.S. Persons in certain
U.S. business may be subject to rules or regulations that limit foreign ownership. In addition, CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized
to review certain transactions involving investments by foreign persons in U.S. businesses that have a nexus to, amongst other things,
critical technologies, critical infrastructure and/or sensitive personal data in order to determine the effect of such transactions on
the national security of the United States. For so long as our Sponsor retains a material ownership interest in us, we may be deemed
a “foreign person” under such rules and regulations, any proposed business combination between us and a U.S. business engaged
in a regulated industry or which may affect national security could be subject to such foreign ownership restrictions, CFIUS review and/or
mandatory filings. If our potential initial business combination with a U.S. business falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions,
we may be unable to consummate an initial business combination with such business. In addition, if our potential business combination
falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, we may be required to make a mandatory filing or determine to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS,
or to proceed with the initial business combination without notifying CFIUS and risk CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the
initial business combination. CFIUS may decide to block or delay our initial business combination, impose conditions to mitigate national
security concerns with respect to such initial business combination or order us to divest all or a portion of any U.S. business of the
combined company if we proceed without first obtaining CFIUS clearance. These potential limitations and risks may limit the attractiveness
of a transaction with us or prevent us from pursuing certain initial business combination opportunities that we believe would otherwise
be beneficial to us and our shareholders. As a result, the pool of potential targets with which we could complete an initial business
combination may be limited and we may be adversely affected in competing with other special purpose acquisition companies which do not
have similar foreign ownership issues. Moreover, the process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Because
we have only a limited time to complete our initial business combination, our failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite
time-period may require us to liquidate. If we liquidate, our public shareholders may only receive their pro rata share of amounts held
in the trust account, and our warrants will expire worthless. This will also cause you to lose any potential investment opportunity in
a target company and the chance of realizing future gains on your investment through any price appreciation in the combined company.
If we continue our life beyond 36
months from the closing of our IPO without completing an initial business combination, Nasdaq may delist our securities from its exchange
which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in its securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
If the Extension Amendment Proposal in this
proxy statement is approved by our shareholders, it would allow us to complete a business combination up to 42 months after the closing
of our IPO. However, Nasdaq rules require that we complete a business combination no later than 36 months after our IPO. While we may
be able to appeal a delisting and be granted additional time to complete a business combination after 36 months, we may not be successful
in such an appeal. If we are not successful in such an appeal and we fail to complete a business combination within 36 months of our
IPO our securities will be delisted. If our securities are delisted, such delisting could limit investors’ ability to make transactions
in its securities and subject us to additional trading restriction.
Questions
and Answers About the Shareholder Meeting
The
questions and answers below highlight only selected information from this proxy statement and only briefly address some commonly asked
questions about the Shareholder Meeting (as defined below) and the proposals to be presented at the Shareholder Meeting. The following
questions and answers do not include all the information that is important to PLAO shareholders. Shareholders are urged to read carefully
this entire proxy statement, including the other documents referred to herein, to fully understand the proposal to be presented at the
Shareholder Meeting and the voting procedures for the Shareholder Meeting, which will be held on , 2024, at a.m., Brasilia Time. The
Shareholder Meeting will be held at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP located at Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041,
Torre E – CJ 17A, São Paulo-SP, 04543-011, Brazil, and via a virtual meeting, or at such other time, on such other date
and at such other place to which the meeting may be adjourned. You can participate in the meeting, vote, and submit questions via live
webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM and you are able to vote prior to the Shareholder Meeting by visiting
www.proxyvote.com.
| Q: | Why
am I receiving this proxy statement? |
| A: | PLAO
is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on February 25,
2021. PLAO was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset
acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more
businesses. |
Following
the closing of PLAO’s initial public offering on March 14, 2022 (the “Initial Public Offering”), including the
full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, an amount of $236,900,000 ($10.30 per unit offered in the Initial Public
Offering (the “Units”)) from the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the Initial Public Offering and the sale
of private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) to Patria SPAC LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability
company (the “Sponsor”) was placed in a trust account established at the consummation of the Initial Public Offering
that holds the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering (the “Trust Account”).
Like
most blank check companies, PLAO’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (as amended, the “Articles”)
provide for the return of the Initial Public Offering proceeds held in the Trust Account to the holders of Class A Ordinary Shares, par
value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares” or the “Public Shares”) sold in the Initial
Public Offering if there is no qualifying Business Combination(s) consummated on or before June 14, 2023. On June 12, 2023, PLAO further
amended its Articles to provide that, in the event that PLAO has not consummated a Business Combination within 15 months from the closing
of the IPO, PLAO could, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to consummate the Business Combination on a monthly
basis for up to twelve times by an additional one month each time after the fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the IPO, by resolution
of the directors, if requested by the Sponsor, until 27 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Second Extension Right”).
Pursuant to the Second Extension Right, PLAO has extended the date by which we must consummate our initial Business Combination to June
14, 2024.
Without
the Extension Amendment (as defined below), PLAO believes that it will not, despite its best efforts, be able to complete an initial
business combination (a “Business Combination”) on or before June 14, 2024 (the date which is 27 months from the
closing date of the Company’s IPO). The Board believes that it is in the best interests of PLAO’s shareholders to
continue PLAO’s existence until September 14, 2025 (the date which is 42 months from the closing date of the Company’s
IPO), if necessary, in order to allow PLAO additional time to complete a Business Combination and is therefore holding this
Shareholder Meeting.
| Q: | When
and where will the Shareholder Meeting be held? |
| A: | The
Shareholder Meeting will be held on , 2024, at a.m., Brasilia Time, at the offices of Davis
Polk & Wardwell LLP located at Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Torre E –
CJ 17A, São Paulo-SP, 04543-011, Brazil, and via a virtual meeting, or at such other
time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be adjourned. |
Shareholders
may attend the Shareholder Meeting in person. However, we encourage you to attend the Shareholder Meeting virtually. If you wish to attend
the Shareholder Meeting in person, you must reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Shareholder Meeting
by contacting PLAO’s Secretary at plg@patria.com by a.m., Brasilia Time, on ,
2024 (two business days prior to the initially scheduled meeting date). You can participate in the meeting, vote, and submit questions
via live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM and you are able to vote prior to the Shareholder Meeting
by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
| A: | If
you were a holder of record of Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B ordinary shares, par value
$0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares,” and together with the
Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Ordinary Shares”) on the Record Date for
the Shareholder Meeting, you may vote with respect to the proposals in person or virtually
at the Shareholder Meeting, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed
proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. |
Voting
by Mail. By signing the proxy card and returning it in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope, you are authorizing the individuals
named on the proxy card to vote your shares at the Shareholder Meeting in the manner you indicate. You are encouraged to sign and return
the proxy card even if you plan to attend the Shareholder Meeting so that your shares will be voted if you are unable to attend the Shareholder
Meeting. If you receive more than one proxy card, it is an indication that your shares are held in multiple accounts. Please sign and
return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted. Votes submitted by mail must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time,
on , 2024.
Voting
in Person at the Meeting. If you attend the Shareholder Meeting and plan to vote in person, you will be provided with a ballot at
the Shareholder Meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are considered the shareholder of record and you have
the right to vote in person at the Shareholder Meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares
are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee to
ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the record holder
of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the Shareholder Meeting and vote in person, you
will need to bring to the Shareholder Meeting a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee authorizing you to vote these shares.
Voting
Electronically. If your shares are held in “street name” by a broker or other agent, you have the right to direct your
broker or other agent on how to vote at the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM and entering
the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice included in the proxy materials and you are able to vote
prior to the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
| Q: | How
do I attend the virtual Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | You
are entitled to attend the Shareholder Meeting if you were a stockholder as of the close
of business on ,
2024. To be admitted to the Shareholder Meeting, you will need to visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM
and enter the control number found on your proxy card. If you are a beneficial owner, you
should contact the bank, broker or other institution where you hold your account well in
advance of the Shareholder Meeting if you have questions about obtaining your control number.
Whether or not you participate in the Shareholder Meeting, it is important that you vote
your shares. We encourage you to access the virtual Shareholder Meeting prior to the start
time and you should allow reasonable time for the check-in procedures. |
Q:
What if I cannot find my control number?
| A: | Please note that if
you do not have your control number and you are a registered stockholder, you will be able to login as a guest. To view the virtual
Shareholder Meeting visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM and register as a guest. If you login as a guest, you will
not be able to vote your shares or ask questions during the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner (that is, you hold your shares in
an account at a bank, broker or other holder of record), you will need to contact that bank, broker or other holder of record to
obtain your control number prior to the Shareholder Meeting. |
| Q: | What
are the specific proposals on which I am being asked to vote at the Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | PLAO
shareholders are being asked to consider and vote on the following proposals: |
| 1. | Proposal
No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal - A proposal (the “Extension Amendment
Proposal”) to amend, by way of special resolution, PLAO’s Articles, as set
forth in Annex A of the accompanying Proxy Statement, and the investment management trust
agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) dated as of March 9, 2022 by and between
the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the
“Trustee”), as set forth in Annex B of the accompanying Proxy Statement,
to extend the date (the “Termination Date”) by which PLAO has to consummate
a Business Combination (the “Extension Amendment”) from June 14, 2024
(the date which is 27 months from the closing date of the Company’s initial public
offering of Class A ordinary shares (the “IPO”) (the “Current
Termination Date”) on a monthly basis for up to fifteen times by an additional one
month each time after the Current Termination Date as determined by PLAO’s board of
directors (the “Board”), if requested by Patria SPAC LLC, a Cayman Islands
limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and upon one day’s advance
notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, up to September 14, 2025 (the date which is 42
months from the closing date of the Company’s IPO) (the “Articles Extension
Date”), or a total of up to fifteen months after the Current Termination Date, unless
the closing of a Business Combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date
as determined by the Board, for a deposit, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i)
$75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect
to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for each monthly
extension (the “Extension Payment”); |
| 4. | Proposal
No. 2 - The Adjournment Proposal - To adjourn, by way of ordinary resolution, the Shareholder
Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, (i) to permit further solicitation and vote
of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there
are insufficient Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares in the capital of PLAO
represented (either in person or by proxy) to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, (ii)
if the holders of Public Shares have elected to redeem an amount of shares in connection
with the Extension Amendment such that PLAO would not adhere to the continued listing requirements
of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), or (iii) if PLAO determines
before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary or no longer desirable to proceed
with the other proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
The
Articles provide that PLAO initially had until June 14, 2023 to complete its initial Business Combination. However, pursuant to the amendment
to the Articles approved on June 12, 2023, in the event that PLAO had not consummated a Business Combination within 15 months from the
closing of the IPO, PLAO could, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to consummate the Business Combination on
a monthly basis for up to twelve times by an additional one month each time after the fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the
IPO, by resolution of the directors, if requested by the Sponsor, until 27 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Second Extension
Right”); provided that the Sponsor (or its designees) must deposit into the trust account funds, for each monthly extension,
the lesser of (i) $300,000 and (ii) $0.03 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding for each monthly extension. Pursuant to the
Second Extension Right, PLAO has extended the date by which we must consummate our initial Business Combination to June 14, 2024. If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate our initial Business Combination by June 14, 2024, we will:
(1) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (2) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 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 (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses and which interest shall be net of taxes payable),
divided by the number of then issued and outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’
rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (3) as promptly as reasonably
possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of PLAO’s remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve,
subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable
law.
There
will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our warrants, which will expire worthless in the event of our
winding up.
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, commencing within ten (10) business days of the date of the Shareholder Meeting, the Lender
shall make a deposit into the Trust Account (as defined below) per month up to the earlier of (i) Articles Extension Date, (ii) the completion
of a Business Combination or (iii) liquidation, whichever occurs first, in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory
note issued by PLAO to the Lender, for a deposit, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class
A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for
each monthly extension (the “Extension Payment”). If PLAO completes a Business Combination, it will, at the option
of the Lender, repay the amounts loaned under the promissory note or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory
note into warrants, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants. If PLAO does not complete a Business Combination
by the applicable Termination Date, such promissory note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be
forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven.
For
more information, please see “Proposal No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal” and “Proposal No. 2 - The Adjournment
Proposal.”
After
careful consideration, the Board has unanimously determined that the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are in
the best interests of PLAO and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” or give instruction to vote
“FOR” each of these proposals.
The
existence of financial and personal interests of our directors and officers may result in conflicts of interest, including a conflict
between what may be in the best interests of PLAO and its shareholders and what may be best for a director’s personal interests
when determining to recommend that shareholders vote for the proposals. See the sections titled “Proposal No. 1 - The Extension
Amendment Proposal - Interests of the Sponsor and PLAO’s Directors and Officers” and “Beneficial Ownership of
Securities” for a further discussion of these considerations.
THE
VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS IS IMPORTANT. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR PROXIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THIS
PROXY STATEMENT.
| Q: | Am
I being asked to vote on a proposal to elect directors? |
| A: | No.
Holders of Public Shares are not being asked to vote on the election of directors at this
time. |
| Q | Why
is PLAO proposing the Extension Amendment Proposal? |
| A: | PLAO’s
Articles and the Trust Agreement provide for the return of the Initial Public Offering proceeds
held in trust to the holders of Public Shares sold in the Initial Public Offering if there
is no qualifying Business Combination consummated on or before the Termination Date. The
purpose of the Extension Amendment Proposal is to allow PLAO additional time to complete
a Business Combination through a more efficient alternative in the current market environment
than the exercise of the Second Extension Right, which the Board has determined would not
be advisable given market uncertainties. |
| Q: | Why
is PLAO proposing the Adjournment Proposal? |
| A: | If
(i) the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved by PLAO’s shareholders or (ii)
due to redemptions in connection with the Extension Amendment, PLAO would not adhere to the
continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, PLAO may put the Adjournment Proposal to a vote
in order to seek additional time to obtain sufficient votes in support of the Extension Amendment
Proposal or to allow public shareholders time to reverse their redemption requests in connection
with the Extension Amendment. If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by PLAO’s
shareholders, the Board may not be able to adjourn the Shareholder Meeting to a later date
or dates in the event that there are insufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment
Proposal or if due to redemptions in connection with the Extension Amendment, PLAO would
not adhere to the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq. |
| Q: | What
constitutes a quorum? |
| A: | A
quorum of our shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The presence (which would
include presence at the virtual Shareholder Meeting), in person or by proxy, of shareholders
holding a majority of the Ordinary Shares entitled to vote at the Shareholder Meeting constitutes
a quorum at the Shareholder Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered
present for the purposes of establishing a quorum. The initial shareholders of PLAO, including
the Sponsor and certain of PLAO’s officers and directors (the “Initial Shareholders”)
who own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares as of the Record
Date, will count towards this quorum. As a result, as of the Record Date, in addition to
the shares of the Initial Shareholders, an additional Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders
would be required to be present at the Shareholder Meeting to achieve a quorum. Because all
of the proposals to be voted on at the Shareholder Meeting are “non-routine”
matters, banks, brokers and other nominees will not have authority to vote on any proposals
unless instructed, so PLAO does not expect there to be any broker non-votes at the Shareholder
Meeting. |
| Q: | What
vote is required to approve the proposals presented at the Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | The
approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands
law, being the affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast
by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. |
Approval
of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting.
| Q: | How
will the Initial Shareholders vote? |
| A: | The
Initial Shareholders intend to vote any Ordinary Shares over which they have voting control
in favor of the Extension Amendment Proposal and, if necessary, the Adjournment Proposal. |
The
Initial Shareholders are not entitled to redeem any Class B Ordinary Shares held by them in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal.
On the Record Date (as defined below), the Initial Shareholders beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary
Shares, representing approximately 20% of PLAO’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares.
| A: | PLAO’s
sponsor is Patria SPAC LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company. The Sponsor currently
owns 5,660,000 Class B Ordinary Shares and 14,500,000 Private Placement Warrants. |
| Q: | Why
should I vote “FOR” the Extension Amendment Proposal? |
| A: | PLAO
believes shareholders will benefit from PLAO consummating a Business Combination and is proposing
the Extension Amendment Proposal to extend the date by which PLAO has to complete a Business
Combination until the Articles Extension Date. Without the Extension Amendment PLAO believes
that it will not be able to complete a Business Combination on or before the Termination
Date. If that were to occur, PLAO would be forced to liquidate. |
| Q: | Why
should I vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal? |
| A: | If
the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by PLAO’s shareholders, the Board may not
be able to adjourn the Shareholder Meeting to a later date or dates to approve the Extension
Amendment Proposal or to allow public shareholders time to reverse their redemption requests
in connection with the Extension Amendment. |
| Q: | What
if I do not want to vote “FOR” the Extension Amendment Proposal or the Adjournment
Proposal? |
| A: | If
you do not want the Extension Amendment Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal to be approved,
you may “ABSTAIN,” not vote, or vote “AGAINST” such proposal. |
If
you attend the Shareholder Meeting in person or by proxy, you may vote “AGAINST” the Extension Amendment Proposal or the
Adjournment Proposal, and your Ordinary Shares will be counted for the purposes of determining whether the Extension Amendment Proposal
or the Adjournment Proposal (as the case may be) are approved.
However,
if you fail to attend the Shareholder Meeting in person or by proxy, or if you do attend the Shareholder Meeting in person or by proxy
but you “ABSTAIN” or otherwise fail to vote at the Shareholder Meeting, your Ordinary Shares will not be counted for the
purposes of determining whether the Extension Amendment Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal (as the case may be) are approved, and your
Ordinary Shares which are not voted at the Shareholder Meeting will have no effect on the outcome of such votes.
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved and, following redemptions in connection with the Extension Amendment, PLAO adheres to the
continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, the Adjournment Proposal will not be presented for a vote.
| Q: | How
are the funds in the Trust Account currently being held? |
| A: | The
funds in the Trust Account have, since our initial public offering, been held only in U.S.
government treasury obligations with a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds
investing solely in U.S. government treasury obligations and meeting certain conditions under
Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. |
| Q: | Will
we seek any further extensions to liquidate the Trust Account? |
| A: | Other
than as described in this proxy statement, PLAO does not currently anticipate seeking any
further extension to consummate a Business Combination. |
| Q: | What
happens if the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved? |
| A: | If
there are insufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, PLAO may put the
Adjournment Proposal to a vote in order to seek additional time to obtain sufficient votes
in support of the Extension Amendment. |
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved, and a Business Combination is not completed on or before the Termination Date, PLAO
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 PLAO (less taxes payable
and up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding Public Shares, which
redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation
distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of PLAO’s
remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to PLAO’s obligations
under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and to requirements of other applicable law. There will be no distribution
from the Trust Account with respect to PLAO’s warrants, which will expire worthless in the event PLAO dissolves and liquidates
the Trust Account.
The
Initial Shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary
Shares held by them.
| Q: | If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, what happens next? |
| A: | If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, PLAO will continue to attempt to consummate
a Business Combination until the Articles Extension Date. PLAO will procure that all filings
required to be made with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands in connection with
the Extension Amendment Proposal are made and will continue its efforts to obtain approval
of a Business Combination at an extraordinary general meeting and consummate the closing
of a Business Combination on or before the Articles Extension Date. |
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the removal from the Trust Account of the amount equal to the pro rata portion of funds
available in the Trust Account with respect to such redeemed Public Shares will reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and
increase the percentage interest of PLAO held by the Initial Shareholders.
Notwithstanding
stockholder approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal, the Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the Extension
Amendment at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
| Q: | When
would the Board abandon the Extension Amendment Proposal? |
| A: | The
Board will abandon the Extension Amendment if our stockholders do not approve the Extension
Amendment Proposal. In addition, notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Extension Amendment
Proposal, our Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the Extension Amendment
at any time without any further action by our stockholders. |
| Q: | If
I vote for or against the Extension Amendment Proposal, do I need to request that my shares
be redeemed? |
| A: | Yes.
Whether you vote “for” or “against” the Extension Amendment Proposal,
or do not vote at all, you may elect to redeem your shares. However, you will need to submit
a redemption request for your shares if you choose to redeem. |
| Q. | What
amount will holders receive upon consummation of a Business Combination or liquidation if
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved? |
| A: | If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, commencing within ten (10) business days of
the date of the Shareholder Meeting, the Lender shall make a deposit into the Trust Account
(as defined below) per month up to the earlier of (i) Articles Extension Date, (ii) the completion
of a Business Combination or (iii) liquidation, whichever occurs first, in exchange for a
non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note issued by PLAO to the Lender, for a deposit,
for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class A
ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted
Extension Payment”) for each monthly extension (the “Extension Payment”).
If PLAO completes a Business Combination, it will, at the option of the Lender, repay the
amounts loaned under the promissory note or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned
under such promissory note into warrants, which warrants will be identical to the private
placement warrants. If PLAO does not complete a Business Combination by the applicable Termination
Date, such promissory note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account
or will be forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven. |
| Q: | Am
I being asked to vote on a Business Combination at this Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | No.
You are not being asked to vote on a Business Combination at this time. If the Extension
Amendment is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares, provided that
you are a shareholder on the record date for the shareholder meeting to consider a Business
Combination, you will be entitled to vote on a Business Combination when it is submitted
to shareholders and will retain the right to redeem your Public Shares for cash in connection
with a Business Combination or liquidation. |
| Q: | Will
how I vote affect my ability to exercise Redemption rights? |
| A: | No.
You may exercise your Redemption rights whether or not you are a holder of Public Shares
on the Record Date (so long as you are a holder at the time of exercise), or whether you
are a holder and vote your Public Shares of PLAO on the Extension Amendment Proposal (for
or against) or any other proposal described by this proxy statement. As a result, the Extension
Amendment can be approved by shareholders who will redeem their Public Shares and no longer
remain shareholders, leaving shareholders who choose not to redeem their Public Shares holding
shares in a company with a potentially less liquid trading market, fewer shareholders, potentially
less cash and the potential inability to meet the listing standards of Nasdaq. |
| Q: | May
I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card? |
| A: | Yes.
Shareholders may send a later-dated, signed proxy card to PLAO at 60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor,
Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006, so that it is received by PLAO not later
than , Brasília Time, on , 2024
or attend the Shareholder Meeting in person (which would include presence at the virtual
Shareholder Meeting) and vote. Shareholders also may revoke their proxy by sending a notice
of revocation to PLAO’s Secretary, which
must be received by PLAO’s Secretary not
later than , Brasília Time,
on , 2024. However,
if your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or another nominee,
you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to change your vote. |
| A: | Votes
will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Shareholder Meeting, who will
separately count “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, “ABSTAIN”
and broker non-votes. The approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special
resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a two-thirds
(2/3) majority of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present
in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at
the Shareholder Meeting. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution
under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes
cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. |
Shareholders
who attend the Shareholder Meeting, either in person or by proxy (or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by sending their
duly authorized representative or proxy), will be counted (and the number of Ordinary Shares held by such shareholders will be counted)
for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Shareholder Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy or by duly
authorized representative, at the Shareholder Meeting of the holders of a majority of all issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares entitled
to vote at the Shareholder Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the Shareholder Meeting.
At
the Shareholder Meeting, only those votes which are actually cast, either “FOR” or “AGAINST,” the Extension Amendment
Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal, will be counted for the purposes of determining whether the Extension Amendment Proposal or the
Adjournment Proposal (as the case may be) are approved, and any Ordinary Shares which are not voted at the Shareholder Meeting will have
no effect on the outcome of such votes.
Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum but, as a matter of Cayman Islands law, will
not constitute votes cast at the Shareholder Meeting and therefore will have no effect on the approval of each of the proposals as a
matter of Cayman Islands law.
| Q: | If
my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or nominee automatically
vote my shares for me? |
| A: | If
your shares are held in “street name” in a stock brokerage account or by a broker,
bank or other nominee, you must provide the record holder of your shares with instructions
on how to vote your shares. Please follow the voting instructions provided by your broker,
bank or other nominee. Please note that you may not vote shares held in “street name”
by returning a proxy card directly to PLAO or by voting online at the Shareholder Meeting
unless you provide a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your broker, bank
or other nominee. |
Under
Nasdaq rules, brokers who hold shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner of those shares typically have the authority
to vote in their discretion on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However,
brokers are not permitted to exercise their voting discretion with respect to the approval of matters that are determined to be “non-routine”
without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. It is expected that all proposals to be voted on at the Shareholder Meeting
are “non-routine” matters and therefore, PLAO does not expect there to be any broker non-votes at the Shareholder Meeting.
If
you are a PLAO shareholder holding your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your broker, bank or other nominee
on how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or other nominee will not vote your shares on the Extension Amendment Proposal or the Adjournment
Proposal. Accordingly, your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares at the Shareholder Meeting only if you provide instructions
on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares as soon as possible in accordance with directions you provide.
| Q: | Does
the Board recommend voting “FOR” the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal
and the Adjournment Proposal? |
| A: | Yes.
After careful consideration of the terms and conditions of the Extension Amendment Proposal
and the Adjournment Proposal, the Board has determined that the Extension Amendment Proposal
and the Adjournment Proposal is in the best interests of PLAO and its shareholders. The Board
recommends that PLAO’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Extension Amendment
Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. |
| Q: | What
interests do PLAO’s directors and officers have in the approval of the Extension Amendment
Proposal? |
| A: | PLAO’s
directors and officers have interests in the Extension Amendment Proposal that may be different
from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include, among
others, ownership, directly or indirectly through the Sponsor, of Class B Ordinary Shares
and Private Placement Warrants. See the section entitled “Proposal No. 1 - The Extension
Amendment Proposal - Interests of the Sponsor and PLAO’s Directors and Officers”
in this proxy statement. |
| Q: | Do
I have appraisal rights or dissenters’ rights if I object to the Extension Amendment
Proposal? |
| A: | No.
There are no appraisal or dissenters’ rights available to PLAO’s
shareholders in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal.
However, you may elect to have your shares redeemed in connection with the adoption of the
Extension Amendment Proposal as described under “How do I exercise my redemption
rights” below. |
| Q: | If
I am a Public Warrant (as defined below) holder, can I exercise redemption rights with respect
to my Public Warrants? |
| A: | No.
The holders of warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering (with a whole
warrant representing the right to acquire one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price
of $11.50 per share) (the “Public Warrants”) have no redemption rights
with respect to such Public Warrants. |
| Q: | What
do I need to do now? |
| A: | You
are urged to read carefully and consider the information contained in this proxy statement
and to consider how the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal will affect
you as a shareholder. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions
provided in this proxy statement and on the enclosed proxy card or, if you hold your shares
through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided
by the broker, bank or nominee. |
| Q: | How
do I exercise my redemption rights? |
| A: | If
you are a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares and wish to exercise your right to redeem your
Class A Ordinary Shares, you must: |
| I. | (a)
hold Class A Ordinary Shares or (b) hold Class A Ordinary Shares through Units and elect
to separate your Units into the underlying Class A Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants prior
to exercising your redemption rights with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares; and |
| II. | prior
to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2024 (two business days prior to the initially scheduled
date of the Shareholder Meeting) (a) submit a written request to the Transfer Agent that
PLAO redeem your Class A Ordinary Shares for cash and (b) tender or deliver your Class A
Ordinary Shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) to the Transfer
Agent, physically or electronically through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). |
The
address of the Transfer Agent is listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below.
Holders
of Units must elect to separate the underlying Class A Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with
respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares. If holders hold their Units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their
broker or bank that they elect to separate the Units into the underlying Class A Ordinary Shares and Public Warrants, or if a holder
holds Units registered in its own name, the holder must contact the Transfer Agent directly and instruct it to do so.
In
connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal, any holder of Class A Ordinary Shares will be entitled to request that their Class
A Ordinary Shares be redeemed for a per share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account
calculated as of two business days prior to the Shareholder Meeting, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account
and not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes, divided by the number of then-outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares. As of ,
2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, this would have amounted to approximately $ per Public
Share. However, the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of our creditors, if any, which could
have priority over the claims of our public shareholders. Therefore, the per share distribution from the Trust Account in such a situation
may be less than originally anticipated due to such claims. We anticipate that the funds to be distributed to public shareholders electing
to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares will be distributed promptly after the Shareholder Meeting.
Any
request for redemption, once made by a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, may be withdrawn at any time until the deadline for exercising
redemption requests and thereafter, with the consent of the Board. If you tender or deliver your shares (and share certificates (if any)
and other redemption forms) for redemption to the Transfer Agent and later decide prior to the Shareholder Meeting not to elect redemption,
you may request that PLAO instruct the Transfer Agent to return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request
by contacting the Transfer Agent at the phone number or address listed at the end of this section. We will be required to honor such
request only if made prior to the deadline for exercising redemption requests.
Any
corrected or changed written exercise of redemption rights must be received by the Transfer Agent prior to the deadline for exercising
redemption requests and, thereafter, with the consent of the Board. No request for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s
shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) have been tendered or delivered (either physically or electronically)
to the Transfer Agent by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2024 (two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the
Shareholder Meeting).
If
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares properly makes a request for redemption and the Class A Ordinary Shares (and share certificates (if
any) and other redemption forms) are tendered or delivered as described above, then, PLAO will redeem Class A Ordinary Shares for a pro
rata portion of funds deposited in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the Shareholder Meeting. If you are
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares and you exercise your redemption rights, it will not result in the loss of any Public Warrants that
you may hold.
| Q: | What
are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights? |
| A: | The
U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising your redemption rights will depend on
your particular facts and circumstances. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor
to determine your tax consequences from the exercise of your redemption rights, including
the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other
tax laws in light of your particular circumstances. For additional discussion of certain
material U.S. federal income tax considerations with respect to the exercise of these redemption
rights, see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Shareholders
Exercising Redemption Rights.” |
| Q: | What
should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | You
may receive more than one set of voting materials for the Shareholder Meeting, including
multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards.
For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive
a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If
you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will
receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card
and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast your vote with respect to all
of your shares. |
| Q: | Who
will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Shareholder Meeting? |
| A: | PLAO
will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Shareholder Meeting. PLAO has engaged D.F.
King & Co., Inc. (“D.F. King”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for
the Shareholder Meeting. PLAO will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of Class A Ordinary Shares for their expenses
in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Class A Ordinary Shares and in
obtaining voting instructions from those owners. The directors, officers and employees of
PLAO may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail or on the Internet. They
will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. |
| Q: | Who
can help answer my questions? |
| A: | If
you have questions about the proposals or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement
or the enclosed proxy card you should contact: |
D.F.
King & Co., Inc.
48
Wall Street, 22nd floor
New
York, NY 10005
Individuals
call toll-free: (800) 431-9629
Banks
and brokers call: (212) 269-5550
Email:
PLAO@dfking.com
You
also may obtain additional information about PLAO from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section titled
“Where You Can Find More Information.” If you are a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares and you intend to seek redemption
of your shares, you will need to tender or deliver your Class A Ordinary Shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption
forms) (either physically or electronically) to the Transfer Agent at the address below prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2024
(two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting). If you have questions regarding the certification
of your position tendering or delivery of your shares, please contact:
Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: SPAC Redemption Team
E-mail: spacredemption@continentalstock.com
Extraordinary
General Meeting
This
proxy statement is being provided to PLAO shareholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the extraordinary
general meeting of PLAO Shareholders to be held on , 2024, and at any adjournment thereof. This proxy statement contains important information
regarding the Shareholder Meeting, the proposals on which you are being asked to vote and information you may find useful in determining
how to vote and voting procedures.
This
proxy statement is being first mailed on or about , 2024, to all shareholders of record of PLAO as of ,
2024, the Record Date for the Shareholder Meeting. Shareholders of record who owned Ordinary Shares at the close of business on the Record
Date are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the Shareholder Meeting.
Date,
Time and Place of Shareholder Meeting
The
Shareholder Meeting will be held on , 2024 at a.m., Brasilia Time, at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP located at Av. Presidente
Juscelino Kubitschek, 2041, Torre E – CJ 17A, São Paulo-SP, 04543-011, Brazil, and via a virtual meeting, or at such other
time, on such other date and at such other place to which the meeting may be adjourned.
Shareholders
may attend the Shareholder Meeting in person. However, we encourage you to attend the Shareholder Meeting virtually. If you wish to attend
the Shareholder Meeting in person, you must reserve your attendance at least two business days in advance of the Shareholder Meeting
by contacting PLAO’s Secretary at plg@patria.com by a.m., Brasilia Time, on , 2024
(two business days prior to the initially scheduled meeting date).
Shareholders
who hold their investments through a bank or broker, will need to contact their bank or broker to receive a control number. If you plan
to vote at the Shareholder Meeting you will need to have a legal proxy from your bank or broker or if you would like to join and not
vote, you will be able to login as a guest. To view the virtual Shareholder Meeting visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM
and register as a guest. If you login as a guest, you will not be able to vote your shares or ask questions during the meeting. If you
are a beneficial owner (that is, you hold your shares in an account at a bank, broker or other holder of record), you will need to contact
that bank, broker or other holder of record to obtain your control number prior to the Shareholder Meeting.
The
Proposals at the Shareholder Meeting
At
the Shareholder Meeting, PLAO shareholders will consider and vote on the following proposals:
| 1. | Proposal
No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal - To amend, by way of special resolution, PLAO’s
Articles, as set forth in Annex A of the accompanying Proxy Statement, and the Trust Agreement,
as set forth in Annex B of the accompanying Proxy Statement, to extend the Termination Date
by which PLAO has to consummate a Business Combination from the Current Termination Date
to the Articles Extension Date and to allow the Board of PLAO, without another shareholder
vote, to extend the Termination Date to consummate a Business Combination on a monthly basis
for up to an additional fifteen times by an additional one month each time after the twenty
seventh (27th) month from the closing of the IPO, by resolution of the Directors,
if requested by the Sponsor in writing, and upon one day’s advance notice prior to
the applicable Termination Date, until September 14, 2025 (which is 42 months from the closing
of the IPO or a total of fifteen months after the Current Termination Date), for a deposit
of the Extension Payment; and |
| 2. | Proposal
No. 2 - The Adjournment Proposal - To adjourn, by way of ordinary resolution, the Shareholder
Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, (i) to permit further solicitation and vote
of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there
are insufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, (ii) if the holders of
Public Shares have elected to redeem an amount of shares in connection with the Extension
Amendment such that PLAO would not adhere to the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq,
or (iii) if PLAO determines before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary or no
longer desirable to proceed with the other proposals. |
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, commencing within ten (10) business days of the date of the Shareholder Meeting, the Lender
shall make a deposit into the Trust Account (as defined below) per month up to the earlier of (i) Articles Extension Date, (ii) the completion
of a Business Combination or (iii) liquidation, whichever occurs first, in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory
note issued by PLAO to the Lender, for a deposit, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class
A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for each monthly
extension (the “Extension Payment”). If PLAO completes a Business Combination, it will, at the option of the Lender, repay
the amounts loaned under the promissory note or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory note into warrants,
which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants. If PLAO does not complete a Business Combination by the applicable
Termination Date, such promissory note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be forfeited, eliminated
or otherwise forgiven.
Voting
Power; Record Date
As
a shareholder of PLAO, you have a right to vote on certain matters affecting PLAO. The proposals that will be presented at the Shareholder
Meeting and upon which you are being asked to vote are summarized above and fully set forth in this proxy statement. You will be entitled
to vote or direct votes to be cast at the Shareholder Meeting if you owned Ordinary Shares at the close of business on , 2024, which
is the “Record Date” for the Shareholder Meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each Ordinary Share that you owned
as of the close of business on the Record Date. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account,
you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.
On the Record Date, there were issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, of which Class A Ordinary Shares are held by PLAO public shareholders
and 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary Shares are held by the Initial Shareholders.
Recommendation
of the Board
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS
Quorum
The
presence (which would include presence at the virtual Shareholder Meeting), in person or by proxy, of shareholders holding a majority
of the Ordinary Shares at the Shareholder Meeting constitutes a quorum at the Shareholder Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
be considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum. The Initial Shareholders, who own approximately 20% of the issued and
outstanding Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date, will count towards this quorum. As a result, as of the Record Date, in addition to
the shares of the Initial Shareholders, an additional Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders would be required to be present at
the Shareholder Meeting to achieve a quorum.
Abstentions
and Broker Non-Votes
Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum but, as a matter of Cayman Islands law, will
not constitute votes cast at the Shareholder Meeting and therefore will have no effect on the approval of any of the proposals voted
upon at the Shareholder Meeting.
Under
Nasdaq rules, if a shareholder holds their shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee and the shareholder
does not instruct their broker, bank or other nominee how to vote their shares on a proposal, the broker, bank or other nominee has the
authority to vote the shares in its discretion on certain “routine” matters. However, banks, brokers and other nominees are
not authorized to exercise their voting discretion on any “non-routine” matters. This can result in a “broker non-vote,”
which occurs on a proposal when (i) a bank, broker or other nominee has discretionary authority to vote on one or more “routine”
proposals to be voted on at a meeting, (ii) there are one or more “non-routine” proposals to be voted on at the meeting for
which the bank, broker or other nominee does not have authority to vote without instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares
and (iii) the beneficial owner fails to provide the bank, broker or other nominee with voting instructions on a “non-routine”
matter.
We
believe that all of the proposals to be voted on at the Shareholder Meeting will be considered non-routine matters. As a result, if you
hold your shares in “street name,” your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee cannot vote your shares on any of the proposals
to be voted on at the Shareholder Meeting without your instruction.
Because
all of the proposals to be voted on at the Shareholder Meeting are “non-routine” matters, banks, brokers and other nominees
will not have authority to vote on any proposals unless instructed, so PLAO does not expect there to be any broker non-votes at the Shareholder
Meeting.
Vote
Required for Approval
The
approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at
least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting.
Approval
of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least a majority
of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting.
The
Initial Shareholders intend to vote all of their Ordinary Shares in favor of the proposals being presented at the Shareholder Meeting.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Initial Shareholders own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares.
The
following table reflects the number of additional Public Shares required to approve each proposal:
| |
Number of Additional Public Shares Required to Approve Proposal |
Proposal | |
Approval Standard | |
If Only Quorum Is Present and All Present Shares Cast Votes | | |
If All Shares Are Present and All Present Shares Cast Votes | |
Extension Amendment Proposal | |
At least two-thirds (2/3) majority of Ordinary Shares entitled to vote and voted at the Shareholder Meeting | |
| | | |
| | |
Adjournment Proposal | |
Majority of Ordinary Shares entitled to vote and voted at the Shareholder Meeting | |
| | | |
| | |
Voting
Your Shares
If
you were a holder of record of Ordinary Shares as of the close of business the Record Date for the Shareholder Meeting, you may vote
with respect to the proposals in person or virtually at the Shareholder Meeting, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the
enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your proxy card shows the number of Ordinary Shares that you own. If your
shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker to ensure that votes
related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.
There
are three ways to vote your Ordinary Shares at the Shareholder Meeting:
Voting
by Mail. By signing the proxy card and returning it in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope, you are authorizing the individuals
named on the proxy card to vote your shares at the Shareholder Meeting in the manner you indicate. You are encouraged to sign and return
the proxy card even if you plan to attend the Shareholder Meeting so that your shares will be voted if you are unable to attend the Shareholder
Meeting. If you receive more than one proxy card, it is an indication that your shares are held in multiple accounts. Please sign and
return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted. Votes submitted by mail must be received by 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on , 2024.
Voting
in Person at the Meeting. If you attend the Shareholder Meeting and plan to vote in person, you will be provided with a ballot at
the Shareholder Meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are considered the shareholder of record and you have
the right to vote in person at the Shareholder Meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares
are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee to
ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the record holder
of your shares with instructions on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the Shareholder Meeting and vote in person, you
will need to bring to the Shareholder Meeting a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee authorizing you to vote these shares.
Voting
Electronically. If your shares are held in “street name” by a broker or other agent, you have the right to direct your
broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You may attend and vote at the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PLAO2024SM
and entering the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice included in the proxy materials and you are
able to vote prior to the Shareholder Meeting by visiting www.proxyvote.com.
Revoking
Your Proxy
If
you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before the Shareholder Meeting or at the Shareholder Meeting by doing any one of the
following:
| ● | you
may send another proxy card with a later date; |
| ● | you
may notify PLAO’s Secretary in writing
to 60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor, Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006, before the Shareholder
Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or |
| ● | you
may attend the Shareholder Meeting, revoke your proxy, and vote in person, as indicated above. |
No Additional
Matters
The
Shareholder Meeting has been called only to consider and vote on the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Adjournment
Proposal. Under the Articles, other than procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Shareholder Meeting, no other matters may
be considered at the Shareholder Meeting if they are not included in this proxy statement, which serves as the notice of the Shareholder
Meeting.
Who
Can Answer Your Questions about Voting
If
you are a PLAO shareholder and have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your Ordinary Shares, you may
call D.F. King & Co., Inc., our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 431-9629 (toll-free), or banks and brokers can call (212)
269-5550, or by emailing PLAO@dfking.com.
Redemption
Rights
Pursuant
to the Articles, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may seek to redeem their shares for cash, regardless of whether they vote for or
against, or whether they abstain from voting on, the Extension Amendment Proposal. In connection with the Extension Amendment
Proposal, any shareholder holding Class A Ordinary Shares may demand that PLAO redeem such shares for a full pro rata portion of the
Trust Account (which, for illustrative purposes, was $ per share as of
, 2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement),
calculated as of two business days prior to the Shareholder Meeting. If a holder properly seeks redemption as described in this
section, PLAO will redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of funds deposited in the Trust Account and the holder will no longer
own these shares following the Shareholder Meeting.
As
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, you will be entitled to receive cash for any Class A Ordinary Shares to be redeemed only if you:
| (i) | hold
Class A Ordinary Shares; |
| (ii) | submit
a written request to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, PLAO’s transfer
agent (“Continental,” or the “Transfer Agent”), in
which you (i) request that PLAO redeem all or a portion of your Class A Ordinary Shares for
cash, and (ii) identify yourself as the beneficial holder of the Class A Ordinary Shares
and provide your legal name, phone number and address; and |
| (iii) | tender
or deliver your Class A Ordinary Shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption
forms) to Continental physically or electronically through DTC. |
Holders
must complete the procedures for electing to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares in the manner described above prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on , 2024 (two business days before the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting) (the “Redemption Deadline”)
in order for their shares to be redeemed.
The
redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal
name, phone number and address to Continental in order to validly redeem its shares.
If
you hold your shares in “street name,” you will have to coordinate with your broker to have your shares certificated or tendered/delivered
electronically. Shares of PLAO that have not been tendered (either physically or electronically) in accordance with these procedures
will not be redeemed for cash. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares
or tendering/delivering them through DTC’s DWAC system. The Transfer Agent will typically charge the tendering broker $100 and
it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming shareholder.
Any
request for redemption, once made by a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, may not be withdrawn following the Redemption Deadline, unless
the Board determines (in its sole discretion) to permit such withdrawal of a redemption request (which it may do in whole or in part).
Any
corrected or changed written exercise of redemption rights must be received by Continental at least two business days prior to the initially
scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting. No request for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares
(and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) have been tendered or delivered (either physically or electronically) to
Continental prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2024 (two business days before the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public
shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its Class A Ordinary Shares with respect to more than an
aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares sold in the Initial Public Offering, without our prior consent. Accordingly, if a public
shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to redeem more than 15% of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, then
any such shares in excess of that 15% limit would not be redeemed for cash, without our prior consent.
The
closing price of Class A Ordinary Shares on , 2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, was $
per share. The cash held in the Trust Account on such date was approximately $
(including interest not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes) ($ per Class A Ordinary Share). The Redemption price per share
will be calculated based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the
Trust Account and not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder
Meeting. Prior to exercising redemption rights, shareholders should verify the market price of Class A Ordinary Shares as they may receive
higher proceeds from the sale of their ordinary shares in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market
price per share is higher than the redemption price. PLAO cannot assure its shareholders that they will be able to sell their Class A
Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may
not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when its shareholders wish to sell their shares.
If
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares exercises his, her or its redemption rights, then he, she or it will be exchanging his, her or its
Class A Ordinary Shares for cash and will no longer own those shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you
properly demand redemption by tendering or delivering your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) (either
physically or electronically) to Continental two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting.
For
a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations for shareholders with respect to the exercise of these redemption
rights, see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Shareholders Exercising Redemption Rights.”
The consequences of a redemption to any particular shareholder will depend on that shareholder’s particular facts and circumstances.
Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor to determine your tax consequences from the exercise of your redemption rights,
including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax laws in light of your particular
circumstances.
Notwithstanding
stockholder approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal, the Board will retain the right to abandon and not implement the Extension
Amendment at any time without any further action by our stockholders.
Appraisal
Rights and Dissenters’ Rights
There
are no appraisal or dissenters’
rights available to PLAO’s shareholders in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal. However,
holders of Public Shares may elect to have their shares redeemed in connection with the adoption of the Extension Amendment Proposal,
as described under “Redemption Rights” above.
Proxy
Solicitation Costs
PLAO
is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board. This proxy solicitation is being made by mail, but also may be made by telephone or in
person. PLAO has engaged D.F. King & Co., Inc. (“D.F. King”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Shareholder
Meeting. PLAO and its directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person. PLAO will ask banks, brokers and other institutions,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward this proxy statement and the related proxy materials to their principals and to obtain their authority
to execute proxies and voting instructions.
PLAO
will bear the entire cost of the proxy solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing, mailing and distribution of this
proxy statement and the related proxy materials. PLAO will pay D.F. King a fee of $15,000, plus disbursements, reimburse D.F. King
for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and indemnify D.F. King and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages
and expenses for its services as PLAO’s proxy solicitor. PLAO will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding this proxy statement and the related proxy materials to PLAO shareholders. Directors, officers
and employees of PLAO who solicit proxies will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting.
Proposal
No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal
Overview
PLAO
is proposing to amend its Articles and the Trust Agreement to extend the date by which PLAO has to consummate a Business Combination
to the Articles Extension Date so as to give PLAO additional time to complete a Business Combination.
Without
the Extension Amendment PLAO believes that it will not be able to complete a Business Combination on or before the Termination Date.
If that were to occur, PLAO would be precluded from completing a Business Combination and would be forced to liquidate.
As
contemplated by the Articles, the holders of PLAO’s Public Shares may elect to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares in
exchange for their pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account if the Extension Amendment is implemented.
On
, 2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this
proxy statement, the redemption price per Class A Ordinary Share was approximately $
, based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account of
approximately $ as of
, 2024 (including interest not previously released to PLAO to pay
its taxes), divided by the total number of then outstanding Public Shares. The Redemption price per share will be calculated
based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and
not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting.
The closing price of the Class A Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq on , 2024 was $ . Accordingly, if the market price of the Class A
Ordinary Shares were to remain the same until the date of the Shareholder Meeting, exercising redemption rights would result in a
public shareholder receiving approximately $ more/less per share than if the shares were sold in the open market (based on the per
share redemption price as of , 2024). PLAO cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their Class A Ordinary Shares
in the open market, even if the market price per share is lower than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be
sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares. PLAO believes that such redemption right
enables its public shareholders to determine whether to sustain their investments for an additional period if PLAO does not complete
a Business Combination on or before the Termination Date.
Reasons
for the Extension Amendment Proposal
The
Articles provide that PLAO initially had until June 14, 2023 to complete its initial Business Combination. However, pursuant to the amendment
to the Articles approved on June 12, 2023, in the event that PLAO had not consummated a Business Combination within 15 months from the
closing of the IPO, PLAO could, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to consummate the Business Combination on
a monthly basis for up to twelve times by an additional one month each time after the fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the
IPO, by resolution of the directors, if requested by the Sponsor, until 27 months from the closing of the IPO (the “Second Extension
Right”); provided that the Sponsor (or its designees) must deposit into the trust account funds, for each monthly extension,
the lesser of (i) $300,000 and (ii) $0.03 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding for each monthly extension. Pursuant to the
Second Extension Right, PLAO has extended the date by which we must consummate our initial Business Combination to June 14, 2024.
PLAO
and its officers and directors agreed that they would not seek to amend PLAO’s Articles to allow for a longer period of time to
complete a Business Combination unless PLAO provided holders of its Public Shares with the right to seek redemption of their Public Shares
in connection therewith. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of PLAO shareholders that the Extension Amendment be obtained
so that PLAO will have additional time to consummate a Business Combination. Without the Extension Amendment, PLAO believes that it will
not be able to complete a Business Combination on or before June 14, 2024. If that were to occur, PLAO would be precluded from completing
a Business Combination and would be forced to liquidate.
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, commencing within ten (10) business days of the date of the Shareholder Meeting, the Lender
shall make a deposit into the Trust Account (as defined below) per month up to the earlier of (i) Articles Extension Date, (ii) the completion
of a Business Combination or (iii) liquidation, whichever occurs first, in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory
note issued by PLAO to the Lender, for a deposit, for each monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class
A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for
each monthly extension (the “Extension Payment”). If PLAO completes a Business Combination, it will, at the option
of the Lender, repay the amounts loaned under the promissory note or convert a portion or all of the amounts loaned under such promissory
note into warrants, which warrants will be identical to the private placement warrants. If PLAO does not complete a Business Combination
by the applicable Termination Date, such promissory note will be repaid only from funds held outside of the Trust Account or will be
forfeited, eliminated or otherwise forgiven.
The
Extension Amendment Proposal is essential to allowing PLAO additional time to consummate a Business Combination. Approval of the Extension
Amendment Proposal is a condition to the implementation of the Extension Amendment.
If the
Extension Amendment Proposal Is Not Approved
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved, a Business Combination is not completed on or before the Termination Date, PLAO 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 PLAO (less taxes payable
and up to $100,000 of interest to pay liquidation expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding Public Shares, which
redemption will completely extinguish public shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation
distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of PLAO’s
remaining shareholders and the Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to PLAO’s obligations
under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and to requirements of other applicable law. There will be no distribution
from the Trust Account with respect to PLAO’s warrants, which will expire worthless in the event PLAO dissolves and liquidates
the Trust Account.
The
Initial Shareholders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to the 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary
Shares held by them.
If the
Extension Amendment Proposal Is Approved
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, PLAO shall procure that all filings required to be made with the Registrar of Companies
of the Cayman Islands in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal to extend the time it has to complete a Business Combination
until the Articles Extension Date are made. PLAO will then continue to attempt to consummate a Business Combination until the Articles
Extension Date. PLAO will remain a reporting company under the Exchange Act and its Class A Ordinary Shares will remain publicly traded
during this time.
A
copy of the proposed amendments to the Articles of the Company is attached to this Proxy Statement under the first resolution in Annex
A.
A
copy of the proposed amendments to the Trust Agreement is attached to this Proxy Statement in Annex B.
Interests
of the Sponsor and PLAO’s Directors and Officers
When
you consider the recommendation of the Board, PLAO shareholders should be aware that aside from their interests as shareholders, the
Sponsor and certain members of the Board and officers of PLAO have interests that are different from, or in addition to, those of other
shareholders generally. The Board was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in recommending to PLAO shareholders
that they approve the Extension Amendment Proposal. PLAO shareholders should take these interests into account in deciding whether to
approve the Extension Amendment Proposal:
| ● | the
fact that the Sponsor paid $14,500,000 for 14,500,000 Private Placement Warrants, each of
which is exercisable (subject to certain exceptions) 30 days following the closing of a Business
Combination for one Class A Ordinary Share at $11.50 per share; if the Extension Amendment
Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a Business Combination by June 14, 2024,
then the proceeds from the sale of the PLAO Private Placement Warrants will be part of the
liquidating distribution to the public shareholders and the warrants held by our Sponsor
will be worthless; |
| ● | the
fact that the Sponsor (i) paid $25,000 to cover certain offering costs in exchange for 7,187,500
Class B ordinary shares, (ii) subsequently forfeited 1,437,500 founder shares for no consideration,
remaining with 5,750,000 founder shares, and (iii) transferred 30,000 Class B ordinary shares
to each of the Company’s three independent directors. Assuming a trading price of $
per Class A Ordinary Share (based upon the closing price of the Class A Ordinary Shares on
Nasdaq on , 2024), the 5,750,000 Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Initial Shareholders
would have an implied aggregate market value of $ . Even if the trading price of the Class
A Ordinary Shares were as low as $ per share, the aggregate market value of the Class B Ordinary
Shares alone (without taking into account the value of the Private Placement Warrants) would
be approximately equal to the initial investment in PLAO by the Initial Shareholders. As
a result, if a Business Combination is completed, the Initial Shareholders are likely to
be able to make a substantial profit on their investment in PLAO at a time when the Class
A Ordinary Shares have lost significant value. On the other hand, if the Extension Amendment
Proposal is not approved and PLAO liquidates without completing a Business Combination before
June 14, 2024, the Initial Shareholders will lose their entire investment in PLAO; |
| ● | the
fact that the Initial Shareholders have agreed not to redeem any Ordinary Shares held by
them in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a Business Combination or the Extension
Amendment Proposal; |
| ● | the
fact that the Initial Shareholders have agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions
from the Trust Account with respect to any Ordinary Shares (other than Public Shares) held
by them if the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved and PLAO fails to complete a
Business Combination by June 14, 2024; |
| ● | the
indemnification of PLAO’s existing directors and officers and the liability insurance
maintained by PLAO; |
| ● | the
fact that the Sponsor and PLAO’s officers and directors will lose their entire investment
in PLAO if the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved and a Business Combination is
not consummated by June 14, 2024; and |
| ● | the
fact that if the Trust Account is liquidated, including in the event PLAO is unable to complete
an initial Business Combination within the required time period, Sponsor has agreed to indemnify
PLAO to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced below $10.00 per PLAO
public share, or such lesser per public share amount as is in the Trust Account on the Termination
Date, by the claims of prospective target businesses with which PLAO has entered into an
acquisition agreement or claims of any third party for services rendered or products sold
to PLAO, but only if such a vendor or target business has not executed a waiver of any and
all rights to seek access to the Trust Account. |
Redemption
Rights
Pursuant
to the Articles, holders of Class A Ordinary Shares may seek to redeem their shares for cash, regardless of whether they vote for or
against, or whether they abstain from voting on, the Extension Amendment Proposal. In connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal,
any shareholder holding Class A Ordinary Shares may demand that PLAO redeem such shares for a full pro rata portion of the Trust Account
(which, for illustrative purposes, was $ per share as of , 2024), calculated as of two business days prior to the Shareholder Meeting.
If a holder properly seeks redemption as described in this section, PLAO will redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of funds deposited
in the Trust Account and the holder will no longer own these shares following the Shareholder Meeting.
As
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, you will be entitled to receive cash for any Class A Ordinary Shares to be redeemed only if you:
| (i) | hold
Class A Ordinary Shares; |
| (ii) | submit
a written request to Continental, in which you (i) request that PLAO redeem all or a portion
of your Class A Ordinary Shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms)
for cash, and (ii) identify yourself as the beneficial holder of the Class A Ordinary Shares
and provide your legal name, phone number and address; and |
| (iii) | deliver
your Class A Ordinary Shares to Continental, physically or electronically through DTC. |
Holders
must complete the procedures for electing to redeem their Class A Ordinary Shares in the manner described above prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on , 2024 (two business days before the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting) in order for their shares to be redeemed.
The
redemption rights include the requirement that a holder must identify itself in writing as a beneficial holder and provide its legal
name, phone number and address to Continental in order to validly redeem its shares.
If
you hold the shares in “street name,” you will have to coordinate with your broker to have your shares certificated or delivered
electronically. Shares of PLAO that have not been tendered (either physically or electronically) in accordance with these procedures
will not be redeemed for cash. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares
or tendering/delivering them through DTC’s DWAC system. The Transfer Agent will typically charge the tendering broker $100 and
it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming shareholder.
Any
request for redemption, once made by a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares, may not be withdrawn following the Redemption Deadline, unless
the Board determines (in its sole discretion) to permit such withdrawal of a redemption request (which it may do in whole or in part).
Any
corrected or changed written exercise of redemption rights must be received by Continental, at least two business days prior to the initially
scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting. No request for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s Class A Ordinary Shares
(and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) have been tendered or delivered (either physically or electronically) to
Continental, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on , 2024 (two business days before the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting).
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a public shareholder, together with any affiliate of such public shareholder or any other person with whom such public
shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), will be restricted
from redeeming its Class A Ordinary Shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% of the Class A Ordinary Shares sold in the Initial
Public Offering, without our prior consent. Accordingly, if a public shareholder, alone or acting in concert or as a group, seeks to
redeem more than 15% of the outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, then any such shares in excess of that 15% limit would not be redeemed
for cash, without our prior consent.
The
closing price of Class A Ordinary Shares on , 2024, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, was $
per share. The cash held in the Trust Account on such date was approximately $ (including
interest not previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes) ($ per Class A Ordinary Share). The Redemption price per share will be calculated
based on the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not
previously released to PLAO to pay its taxes two business days prior to the Shareholder Meeting. Prior to exercising redemption rights,
shareholders should verify the market price of Class A Ordinary Shares as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their ordinary
shares in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption
price. PLAO cannot assure its shareholders that they will be able to sell their Class A Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the
market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when
its shareholders wish to sell their shares.
If
a holder of Class A Ordinary Shares exercises his, her or its redemption rights, then he, she or it will be exchanging its Class A Ordinary
Shares for cash and will no longer own those shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand
redemption by tendering/delivering your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) (either physically or electronically)
to Continental two business days prior to the initially scheduled date of the Shareholder Meeting.
Vote
Required for Approval
The
approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires a special resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at
least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares who are present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered
present for the purposes of establishing a quorum but, as a matter of Cayman Islands law, will not constitute votes cast at the Shareholder
Meeting and therefore will have no effect on the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal.
As
of the date of this proxy statement, the Initial Shareholders have agreed to vote any Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of the Extension
Amendment Proposal. As of the date hereof, the Initial Shareholders own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares
and have not purchased any Public Shares, but may do so at any time. As a result, in addition to the Initial Shareholders, approval of
the Extension Amendment Proposal will require the affirmative vote of at least Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders (or approximately
% of the Class A Ordinary Shares) if all Ordinary Shares are represented at the Shareholder Meeting and cast votes, and the affirmative
vote of at least Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders (or approximately % of the Class A Ordinary Shares) if only such shares
as are required to establish a quorum are represented at the Shareholder Meeting and cast votes.
Resolution
The
full text of the resolution to be voted upon is as follows:
“RESOLVED,
as a special resolution THAT, effective immediately, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended by:
| a) | Article
49.7 of PLAO’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association be deleted
in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 49.7: |
“In
the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or up to 42
months without another shareholder vote if such date is extended by the Company (acting by the Directors) as set forth below), or
such later time as the Members may approve in accordance with the Articles, the Company shall: (a) cease all operations except for
the purpose of winding up; (b) 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 the Company (less taxes payable and up to
US$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will
completely extinguish public Members’ rights as Members (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if
any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining
Members and the Directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for
claims of creditors and other requirements of Applicable Law.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or any other provisions of the Articles, in the event that the Company has not consummated a Business Combination
within 15 months from the closing of the IPO, the Company may, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to
consummate the Business Combination on a monthly basis for up to twenty seven times by an additional one month each time after the
fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the IPO, by resolution of the Directors, if requested by the Sponsor in
writing, and upon one day’s advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until 42 months from the closing of the
IPO, on such terms as have been notified to the Members prior to the adoption of the Articles.”
| b) | Article
49.8 of PLAO’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association be deleted
in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 49.8: |
“In
the event that any amendment is made to the Articles: (a) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to
allow redemption in connection with a Business Combination or redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not consummate a
Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or up to 42 months if such date is extended), or such later
time as the Members may approve in accordance with the Articles; or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to
Members’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, each holder of Public Shares who is not the Sponsor, a Founder, Officer
or Director shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval or effectiveness of any such
amendment at a per-Share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including
interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes, divided by the
number of then outstanding Public Shares.”
Recommendation
of the Board
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT PLAO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.
Proposal
No. 2 - The Adjournment Proposal
Overview
The
Adjournment Proposal asks shareholders to approve the adjournment of the Shareholder Meeting to a later date or dates if necessary, (i)
to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there are
insufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, (ii) if the holders of Public Shares have elected to redeem an amount
of shares in connection with the Extension Amendment such that PLAO would not adhere to the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq,
or (iii) if PLAO determines before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary or no longer desirable to proceed with the other
proposals.
Consequences
if the Adjournment Proposal Is Not Approved
If
the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by PLAO’s shareholders, the Board may not be able to adjourn the Shareholder Meeting to
a later date in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are insufficient votes to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal or
to allow public shareholders time to reverse their redemption requests in connection with the Extension Amendment. In such events, the
Extension Amendment would not be implemented.
Vote
Required for Approval
The
approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of at least
a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the issued Ordinary Shares, voting as a single class, who are present in person or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon, and who vote thereon, at the Shareholder Meeting. Abstentions, and broker non-votes will be considered
present for the purposes of establishing a quorum but, as a matter of Cayman Islands law, will not constitute votes cast at the Shareholder
Meeting and therefore will have no effect on the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.
As
of the date of this proxy statement, the Initial Shareholders have agreed to vote any Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of the Adjournment
Proposal. As of the date hereof, the Initial Shareholders own approximately 20% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares and have
not purchased any Public Shares, but may do so at any time. As a result, in addition to the Initial Shareholders, approval of the Adjournment
Proposal will require the affirmative vote of at least Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders (or approximately % of the Class A
Ordinary Shares) if all Ordinary Shares are represented at the Shareholder Meeting and cast votes, and the affirmative vote of at least
Ordinary Shares held by public shareholders (or approximately % of the Class A Ordinary Shares) if only such shares as are required to
establish a quorum are represented at the Shareholder Meeting and cast votes.
Resolution
The
full text of the resolution to be voted upon is as follows:
“RESOLVED,
as an ordinary resolution, that the adjournment of the Shareholder Meeting to a later date or dates if necessary, (i) to permit further
solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Shareholder Meeting, there are insufficient Class
A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Public Shares”) and Class B Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001
per share in the capital of PLAO represented (either in person or by proxy) to approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, (ii) if the
holders of Public Shares have elected to redeem an amount of shares in connection with the Extension Amendment such that PLAO would not
adhere to the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, or (iii) if PLAO determines before the Shareholder Meeting that it is not necessary
or no longer desirable to proceed with the other proposals.”
Recommendation
of the Board
THE
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT PLAO SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
Certain
material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Shareholders
Exercising Redemption Rights
United
States Federal Income Taxation
General
The
following discussion summarizes certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined
below) that elects to have its Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed for cash pursuant to the exercise of a right to redemption in connection
with the Extension Amendment Proposal.
This
discussion is limited to certain United States federal income tax considerations to beneficial owners of our Class A Ordinary Shares
and hold the Class A Ordinary Shares as a capital asset under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
This discussion assumes that any distributions made (or deemed made) by us on our Class A Ordinary Shares and any consideration received
(or deemed received) by a holder in consideration for the sale or other disposition of our Class A Ordinary Shares will be in U.S. dollars.
This discussion is a summary only and does not consider all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to
the exercising of a right to have Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed by certain persons or in light of particular circumstances, including:
| ● | financial
institutions or financial services entities; |
| ● | taxpayers
that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules; |
| ● | governments
or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
| ● | regulated
investment companies; |
| ● | real
estate investment trusts; |
| ● | persons
liable for alternative minimum tax; |
| ● | expatriates
or former long-term residents of the United States; |
| ● | persons
that actually or constructively own five percent or more of our voting shares or ten percent
or more of the total value of our shares; |
| ● | persons
that acquired our securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection
with employee share incentive plans or otherwise as compensation; |
| ● | persons
that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or
other integrated or similar transaction; or |
| ● | U.S.
Holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
Moreover,
the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and
judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and such provisions may be repealed, revoked, modified or subject to differing
interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those
discussed below. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of United States federal non-income tax laws, such as gift,
estate or Medicare contribution tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We
have not sought, and will not seek, a ruling from the IRS as to any United States federal income tax consequence described herein. The
IRS may disagree with the discussion herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that
future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not change the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
As
used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of units, Class A Ordinary Shares or warrants who or that is
for United States federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other
entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or
organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which
is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States
is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust, or (B) it has in effect a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.
This
discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our securities through
such entities. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes)
is the beneficial owner of our securities, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will
depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships
are urged to consult their own tax advisors.
THIS
DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REDEMPTION OF OUR CLASS A
ORDINARY SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL. EACH INVESTOR IN OUR SECURITIES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX
ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE REDEMPTION OF OUR CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT PROPOSAL, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS.
U.S.
Holders
Redemption
of Class A Ordinary Shares
Subject
to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules discussed below, in the event that a U.S. Holder’s Class A
Ordinary Shares are redeemed in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal, the treatment of the transaction for United States
federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the Class A Ordinary Shares under Section 302
of the Code. If the redemption by us qualifies as a sale of Class A Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as described under
“Redemption Taxable as a Sale or Exchange” below. If the redemption or purchase by us does not qualify as a sale of
Class A Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described below
under “Redemption Taxable as a Corporate Distribution.” Whether a redemption by us qualifies for sale treatment will
depend largely on the total number of our shares treated as held by the U.S. Holder (including any Class A Ordinary Shares constructively
owned by the U.S. Holder as a result of owning warrants) relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption.
The redemption by us of Class A Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as a sale of the Class A Ordinary Shares (rather than as a
corporate distribution) if such redemption or purchase (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. Holder,
(ii) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. Holder’s interest in us or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent
to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. Holder. These tests are explained more fully below.
In
determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. Holder takes into account not only our shares actually owned by
the U.S. Holder, but also our shares that are constructively owned by such holder. A U.S. Holder may constructively own, in addition
to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. Holder has an interest or that have
an interest in such U.S. Holder, as well as any shares the U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally
include Class A Ordinary Shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of the warrants. In order to meet the substantially
disproportionate test, the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately
following the redemption of Class A Ordinary Shares must, among other requirements, be less than 80 percent of the percentage of our
outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder immediately before the redemption. Prior to our initial
business combination the Class A Ordinary Shares may not be treated as voting shares for this purpose and, consequently, this substantially
disproportionate test may not be applicable. There will be a complete termination of a U.S. Holder’s interest if either (i) all
of our shares actually and constructively owned by the U.S. Holder are redeemed or (ii) all of our shares actually owned by the U.S.
Holder are redeemed and the U.S. Holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution
of shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. Holder does not constructively own any other shares of ours. The redemption of
the Class A Ordinary Shares will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption results in a “meaningful reduction”
of the U.S. Holder’s proportionate interest in us. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. Holder’s
proportionate interest in us will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling
that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises
no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A U.S. Holder should consult its own tax
advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.
If
none of the foregoing tests are satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be
as described under “Redemption Taxable as a Corporate Distribution” below. After the application of those rules, any
remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Class A Ordinary Shares will be added to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax
basis in its remaining shares. If there are no remaining shares, a U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the allocation
of any remaining tax basis.
Redemption
Taxable as a Corporate Distribution
Subject
to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that the redemption of the Class A Ordinary Shares is treated as a distribution, a U.S.
Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as dividends the amount of any cash paid on our Class A Ordinary Shares
to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal
income tax principles). Such cash paid by us will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for
the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations.
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, cash paid in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce
the U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be
treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A Ordinary Shares.
With
respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, under tax laws currently in effect, the amount treated as a dividend generally will be taxed at
the lower applicable long-term capital gains rate (see “Redemption Taxable as a Sale or Exchange” below) only if our
Class A Ordinary Shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and certain other requirements
are met, including that we are not classified as a PFIC during the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable
year. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of such lower rate for any dividends paid with respect
to our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Redemption
Taxable as a Sale or Exchange
Subject
to the PFIC rules discussed below, in the event that the redemption of the Class A Ordinary Shares is treated as a sale or other taxable
disposition of your Class A Ordinary Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss as described below. Any such
capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Class A Ordinary
Shares exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether certain redemption rights with respect to the Class A Ordinary Shares may suspend
the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose.
The
amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition generally will be equal to the difference between (i) the sum
of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in in connection with the redemption and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares redeemed. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares generally
will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a share of Class
A Ordinary Shares) reduced by any prior distributions treated as a return of capital. Long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate
U.S. Holder is currently eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive
Foreign Investment Company Rules
A
non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross
income in a taxable year, including its pro rata share of the gross income of any corporation in which it is considered to own at least
25% of the shares by value, is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year (ordinarily determined based on fair
market value and averaged quarterly over the year), including its pro rata share of the assets of any corporation in which it is considered
to own at least 25% of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. Passive income generally includes
dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains
from the disposition of passive assets.
Because
we are a blank check company, with no current active business, we believe that it is likely that we met the PFIC asset or income test
for our taxable year ending December 31, 2023, and that we may meet the PFIC asset or income test for our current taxable year ending
December 31, 2024.
Although
our PFIC status is determined annually, an initial determination that our company is a PFIC will generally apply for subsequent years
to a U.S. Holder who held Class A Ordinary Shares while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent
years. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder
of our Class A Ordinary Shares and the U.S. Holder did not make either a timely qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election
or a mark-to-market election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Class A Ordinary
Shares, as described below, such U.S. Holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the
U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its Class A Ordinary Shares and (ii) any “excess distribution” made to the
U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of
the average annual distributions received by such U.S. Holder in respect of the Class A Ordinary Shares during the three preceding taxable
years of such U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares).
Under
these rules:
| ● | the
U.S. Holder’s gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the Class A Ordinary Shares; |
| ● | the
amount allocated to the U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the U.S. Holder recognized
the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the U.S. Holder’s
holding period before the first day of our first taxable year in which we are a PFIC, will
be taxed as ordinary income; |
| ● | the
amount allocated to other taxable years (or portions thereof) of the U.S. Holder and included
in its holding period will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and applicable
to the U.S. Holder; and |
| ● | an
additional tax equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax
will be imposed on the U.S. Holder with respect to the tax attributable to each such other
taxable year of the U.S. Holder. |
In
general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a U.S. Holder can avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our Class
A Ordinary Shares by making a timely and valid QEF election (if eligible to do so) to include in income its pro rata share of our net
capital gains (as long-term capital gain) and other earnings and profits (as ordinary income), on a current basis, in each case whether
or not distributed, in the taxable year of the U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. A U.S. Holder generally may
make a separate election to defer the payment of taxes on undistributed income inclusions under the QEF rules, but if deferred, any such
taxes will be subject to an interest charge.
The
QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and, once made, can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A U.S. Holder
generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment
Company or Qualified Electing Fund), including the information provided in a PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United
States federal income tax return for the tax year to which the election relates. Retroactive QEF elections generally may be made only
by filing a protective statement with such return and if certain other conditions are met or with the consent of the IRS. U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a retroactive QEF election under their particular
circumstances.
In
order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, a U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we
determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year (of which there can be no assurance), we will endeavor to provide to a U.S. Holder such
information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the U.S. Holder to make and maintain
a QEF election, but there is no assurance that we will timely provide such required information. There is also no assurance that we will
have timely knowledge of our status as a PFIC in the future or of the required information to be provided.
If
a U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares, and the excess distribution rules discussed above
do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder holds (or
is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election that may be available), any gain recognized
on the sale of our Class A Ordinary Shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no additional tax charge will be imposed under
the PFIC rules. As discussed above, if we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder of our Class A Ordinary Shares that has made
a QEF election will be currently taxed on its pro rata share of our earnings and profits, whether or not distributed for such year. A
subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable when distributed
to such U.S. Holder. The tax basis of a U.S. Holder’s shares in a QEF will be increased by amounts that are included in income,
and decreased by amounts distributed but not taxed as dividends, under the above rules. In addition, if we are not a PFIC for any taxable
year, such U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to our Class A Ordinary Shares for such a taxable
year.
If
we are a PFIC and our Class A Ordinary Shares constitute “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder may avoid the adverse PFIC tax
consequences discussed above if such U.S. Holder, at the close of the first taxable year in which it holds (or is deemed to hold) our
Class A Ordinary Shares, makes a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. Such U.S. Holder generally
will include for each of its taxable years as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its Class A Ordinary Shares
at the end of such year over its adjusted basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss
in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis of its Class A Ordinary Shares over the fair market value of its Class A Ordinary
Shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market
election). The U.S. Holder’s basis in its Class A Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts,
and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Class A Ordinary Shares will be treated as ordinary income.
The
mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” generally, stock that is regularly traded on a national
securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Nasdaq, or on a foreign exchange or market
that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. U.S.
Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election in respect
to our Class A Ordinary Shares under their particular circumstances.
A
U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year of the U.S. Holder, may have to file an IRS Form
8621 (whether or not a QEF or mark-to-market election is made) and such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations until such required information is furnished to the IRS.
The
rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF and mark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition
to those described above. Accordingly, U.S. Holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the
application of the PFIC rules to our securities under their particular circumstances.
Tax
Reporting
Certain
U.S. Holders may be required to file an IRS Form 926 (Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation) to report a transfer
of property (including cash) to us. Substantial penalties may be imposed on a U.S. Holder that fails to comply with this reporting requirement.
Furthermore, certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and certain entities will be required to report information with respect to such
U.S. Holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial
Assets), subject to certain exceptions. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be
subject to substantial penalties. Potential investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the foreign financial asset and
other reporting obligations and their application to an investment in our Class A Ordinary Shares.
Business
of PLAO and Certain Information About PLAO
References
in this section to “we,” “PLAO,” “our” or “us” refer to Patria Latin American Opportunity
Acquisition Corp.
PLAO
is a blank check company incorporated on February 25, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company and formed for the purpose of effecting
a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
PLAO has not engaged in any operations nor generated any revenue to date. Based on its business activities, PLAO is a “shell company”
as defined under the Exchange Act because PLAO has no operations and nominal assets consisting almost entirely of cash. For additional
information, see the information set forth under the caption “Item 1. Business” in PLAO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.
Beneficial
Ownership of Securities
The
following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares available to us at May 3, 2024,
with respect to our ordinary shares held by:
| ● | each
person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding
ordinary shares; |
| ● | each
of our officers and directors; and |
| ● | all
our officers and directors as a group. |
Unless
otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of our
ordinary shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the private placement
warrants as these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of May 3, 2024
In
March 2021, one of our officers paid $25,000, or approximately $0.004 per share, to cover certain of our offering costs, in exchange
for an aggregate of 7,187,500 founder shares, which were temporarily issued to such officer until such shares were transferred to our
sponsor in April 2021. In February 2022, our sponsor forfeited 1,437,500 founder shares for no consideration, remaining with 5,750,000
founder shares. Prior to our IPO, our sponsor transferred 30,000 of our founder shares to each of our three independent directors. Prior
to the initial investment in the company of $25,000 by one of our officers, the company had no assets, tangible or intangible. The number
of founder shares outstanding was determined based on the expectation that the total size of our IPO would be a maximum of 23,000,000
units, given that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full and therefore such founder shares represent 20%
of the outstanding shares after our IPO. The post-offering percentages in the following table reflect that the full exercise of the over-allotment
option by the underwriters, that no founder shares were surrendered, and that there are 28,750,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
| |
Class A ordinary shares | | |
Class B ordinary shares(2) | | |
| |
Name of Beneficial Owners(1) | |
Number of shares Beneficially Owned | | |
Approximate Percentage of Class | | |
Number of shares Beneficially Owned | | |
Approximate Percentage of Class | | |
Approximate Percentage of Ordinary Shares | |
5% Shareholders | |
| |
Patria SPAC LLC(3) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 5,660,000 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 19.7 | % |
First Trust Merger Arbitrage Fund (4) | |
| 1,676,104 | | |
| 9.9 | % | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 7.4 | % |
Entities
affiliated with Westchester Capital Management, LLC (5) | |
| 1,643,137 | | |
| 9.7 | % | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 7.3 | % |
Spring Creek Capital, LLC (6) | |
| 1,005,000 | | |
| 6.0 | % | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4.4 | % |
Entities affiliated with Linden Capital, L.P.(7) | |
| 1,000.000 | | |
| 5.9 | % | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 4.4 | % |
Glazer Capital, LLC (8) | |
| 850,055 | | |
| 5.0 | % | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3.8 | % |
Ricardo Leonel Scavazza | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | % |
José Augusto Gonçalves de Araújo Teixeira | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | % |
Alexandre Teixeira de Assumpção Saigh | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | % |
Ana Cristina Russo | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | % |
Pedro Paulo Elejalde de Campos | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 30,000 | | |
| * | | |
| * | % |
Ricardo Barbosa Leonardos | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 30,000 | | |
| * | | |
| * | % |
Maria Cláudia Mello Guimarães | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 30,000 | | |
| * | | |
| * | % |
All officers and directors as a group (six individuals) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 90,000 | | |
| 1.6 | % | |
| * | % |
| (1) | Unless
otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following is 60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor, Camana Bay, PO Box 757, KY1-9006, Grand Cayman,
Cayman Islands. |
| (2) | Interests
shown consist solely of founder shares, classified as Class B ordinary shares. Such shares may be converted into Class A ordinary shares
concurrently with or immediately following the consummation of our initial business combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment,
as described in the section of our final prospectus entitled “Description of Securities.” |
| (3) | Patria
SPAC LLC, our sponsor, is the record holder of such shares, and Patria SPAC LLC is wholly
owned by Patria Finance Limited. There are four managers of Patria SPAC LLC’s board
of managers: Ricardo Leonel Scavazza, José Augusto Gonçalves de Araújo
Teixeira, Alexandre Teixeira de Assumpção Saigh, and Ana Cristina Russo. Each
manager of Patria SPAC LLC has one vote, and the approval of three of the four members of
the board of managers is required to approve an action of Patria SPAC LLC. Under the so-called
“rule of three,” if voting and dispositive decisions regarding an entity’s
securities are made by two or more individuals, and a voting and dispositive decision requires
the approval of a majority of those individuals, then none of the individuals is deemed a
beneficial owner of the entity’s securities. This is the case with regard to Patria
SPAC LLC. Based upon the foregoing analysis, no individual manager of Patria SPAC LLC exercises
voting or dispositive control over any of the securities held by Patria SPAC LLC even those
in which he directly holds a pecuniary interest. Accordingly, none of them will be deemed
to have or share beneficial ownership of such shares and, for the avoidance of doubt, each
expressly disclaims any such beneficial interest to the extent of any pecuniary interest
he may have therein, directly or indirectly. |
| (4) | This
information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 on
behalf of First Trust Merger Arbitrage Fund (“VARBX”), First Trust Capital
Management L.P. (“FTCM”), First Trust Capital Solutions L.P. (“FTCS”)
and FTCS Sub GP LLC (“Sub GP”). VARBX, a series of Investment Managers
Series Trust II, an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
FTCM, an investment adviser registered with the SEC that provides investment advisory services
to, among others, (i) series of Investment Managers Series Trust II, an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, specifically First Trust Multi-Strategy
Fund and VARBX and (ii) Highland Capital Management Institutional Fund II, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (collectively, the “Client Accounts”). FTCS,
a Delaware limited partnership and control person of FTCM. Sub GP, a Delaware limited liability
company and control person of FTCM. As investment adviser to the Client Accounts, FTCM has
the authority to invest the funds of the Client Accounts in securities (including Ordinary
Shares of the Issuer) as well as the authority to purchase, vote and dispose of securities,
and may thus be deemed the beneficial owner of any shares of the Issuer’s Ordinary
Shares held in the Client Accounts. As of December 31, 2023, VARBX owned 1,600,126 shares
of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Issuer, while FTCM, FTCS and Sub GP collectively
owned 1,676,104 shares of the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Issuer. FTCS and Sub GP
may be deemed to control FTCM and therefore may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the
Ordinary Shares reported in this Schedule 13G. No one individual controls FTCS or Sub GP.
FTCS and Sub GP do not own any Ordinary Shares of the Issuer for their own accounts. The
principal business address of FTCM, FTCS and Sub GP is 225 W. Wacker Drive, 21st Floor, Chicago,
IL 60606. The principal business address of VARBX is 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI
53212. |
| (5) | This
information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 on
behalf of Westchester Capital Management, LLC (“Westchester”, a Delaware
limited liability company, Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. (“Virtus”),
a Massachusetts corporation, and The Merger Fund (“MF”), a Massachusetts
business trust. Virtus, a registered investment adviser, serves as the investment adviser
to each of MF, The Merger Fund VL (“MF VL”), Virtus Westchester Event-Driven
Fund (“EDF”) and Virtus Westchester Credit Event Fund (“CEF”).
Westchester, a registered investment adviser, serves as sub-advisor to each of MF, MF VL,
EDF, CEF, JNL/Westchester Capital Event Driven Fund (“JNL”), JNL Multi-Manager
Alternative Fund (“JARB”) and Principal Funds, Inc. – Global Multi-Strategy
Fund (“PRIN”, together with MF, MF VL, EDF, CEF, JNL, and JARB, the “Funds”).
The Funds directly hold Ordinary Shares of the Company for the benefit of the investors in
those Funds. Mr. Roy Behren and Mr. Michael T. Shannon each serve as Co-Presidents of Westchester.
The business address of Westchester Capital Management, LLC is 100 Summit Drive, Valhalla,
NY 10595, of Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc. is One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103
and of The Merger Fund is 101 Munson Street, Greenfield, MA 01301-9683. |
| (6) | This
information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 2, 2024 on
behalf of Spring Creek Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Spring
Creek Capital”), which is beneficially owned by SCC Holdings, LLC (“SCC”),
SCC is beneficially owned by KIM, LLC (“KIM”), KIM is beneficially owned
by Koch Investments Group, LLC (“KIG”), KIG is beneficially owned by Koch
Investments Group Holdings, LLC (“KIGH”), and KIGH is beneficially owned
by Koch Industries, Inc. The address of the business office of each of these entities is
4111 E. 37th Street North, Wichita, KS 67220. |
| (7) | This
information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024 on
behalf of Linden Capital, L.P., a Bermuda limited partnership (“Linden Capital”),
Linden GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Linden GP”), Linden
Capital Advisors, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Linden Advisors”)
and Siu Min (Joe) Wong (“Mr. Wong”). Linden GP is the general partner
of Linden Capital and, in such capacity, may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares held
by Linden Capital. Linden Advisors is the investment manager of Linden Capital and trading
advisor or investment advisor for the Managed Accounts. Mr. Wong is the principal owner and
controlling person of Linden Advisors and Linden GP. In such capacities, Linden Advisors
and Mr. Wong may each be deemed to beneficially own the Shares held by each of Linden Capital
and the Managed Accounts. The principal business address for Linden Capital is Victoria Place,
31 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM10, Bermuda. The principal business address for each of Linden
Advisors, Linden GP and Mr. Wong is 590 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10022. |
| (8) | This
information is based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024 on
behalf of Glazer Capital, LLC., a Delaware limited liability company (“Glazer Capital”)
held by certain funds and managed accounts to which Glazer Capital serves as investment manager
(collectively, the “Glazer Funds”), and Mr. Paul J. Glazer (Mr. Glazer”),
as the Managing Member of Glazer Capital, with respect to the shares of Ordinary Shares held
by the Glazer Funds. The address of the business office of each of Glazer Capital and Mr.
Glazer is 250 West 55th Street, Suite 30A, New York, New York 10019. |
Future
Shareholder Proposals
If
the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, we anticipate that we will hold another extraordinary general meeting before the Articles
Extension Date to consider and vote upon approval of a Business Combination Agreement and a Business Combination. If the Extension Amendment
Proposal is not approved or if it is approved but we do not consummate a Business Combination before the Articles Extension Date, PLAO
will dissolve and liquidate.
Householding
Information
Unless
PLAO has received contrary instructions, PLAO may send a single copy of this proxy statement to any household at which two or more shareholders
reside if PLAO believes the shareholders are members of the same family. This process, known as “householding,” reduces the
volume of duplicate information received at any one household and helps to reduce PLAO’s expenses. However, if shareholders prefer
to receive multiple sets of PLAO’s disclosure documents at the same address this year or in future years, the shareholders should
follow the instructions described below. Similarly, if an address is shared with another shareholder and together both of the shareholders
would like to receive only a single set of PLAO’s disclosure documents, the shareholders should follow these instructions:
If
the shares are registered in the name of the shareholder, the shareholder should contact us at our offices at 60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor,
Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006, to inform us of his or her request; or
If
a bank, broker or other nominee holds the shares, the shareholder should contact the bank, broker or other nominee directly.
Where
You Can Find More Information
PLAO
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You may access information on PLAO
at the SEC website, which contains reports, proxy statements and other information, at: http://www.sec.gov.
This
proxy statement is available without charge to shareholders of PLAO upon written or oral request. If you would like additional copies
of this proxy statement or if you have questions about the proposals to be presented at the Shareholder Meeting, you should contact PLAO
in writing at 60 Nexus Way, 4th Floor, Camana Bay, PO Box 757, Grand Cayman, KY1-9006.
If
you have questions about the proposals or this proxy statement, would like additional copies of this proxy statement, or need to obtain
proxy cards or other information related to the proxy solicitation, please contact D.F. King & Co., Inc., the proxy solicitor for
PLAO, by calling (800) 431-9629 (toll-free), or banks and brokers can call (212) 269-5550, or by emailing PLAO@dfking.com. You will not
be charged for any of the documents that you request.
To
obtain timely delivery of the documents, you must request them no later than five business days before the date of the Shareholder Meeting,
or no later than , 2024.
Annex
A
PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP.
(the “Company”)
RESOLUTIONS
OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
RESOLVED, as a special resolution THAT, effective
immediately, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended by:
| a) | Article
49.7 of PLAO’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association be deleted
in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 49.7: |
“In
the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or up to 42
months without another shareholder vote if such date is extended by the Company (acting by the Directors) as set forth below), or
such later time as the Members may approve in accordance with the Articles, the Company shall: (a) cease all operations except for
the purpose of winding up; (b) 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 the Company (less taxes payable and up to
US$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will
completely extinguish public Members’ rights as Members (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if
any); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining
Members and the Directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for
claims of creditors and other requirements of Applicable Law.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or any other provisions of the Articles, in the event that the Company has not consummated a Business Combination
within 15 months from the closing of the IPO, the Company may, without another shareholder vote, elect to extend the date to
consummate the Business Combination on a monthly basis for up to twenty seven times by an additional one month each time after the
fifteenth (15th) month from the closing of the IPO, by resolution of the Directors, if requested by the Sponsor in
writing, and upon one day’s advance notice prior to the applicable Termination Date, until 42 months from the closing of the
IPO, on such terms as have been notified to the Members prior to the adoption of the Articles.”
| b) | Article
49.8 of PLAO’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association be deleted
in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 49.8: |
“In
the event that any amendment is made to the Articles: (a) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to
allow redemption in connection with a Business Combination or redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not consummate a
Business Combination within 15 months from the consummation of the IPO (or up to 42 months if such date is extended), or such later
time as the Members may approve in accordance with the Articles; or (b) with respect to any other provision relating to
Members’ rights or pre-Business Combination activity, each holder of Public Shares who is not the Sponsor, a Founder, Officer
or Director shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval or effectiveness of any such
amendment at a per-Share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including
interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes, divided by the
number of then outstanding Public Shares.”
Annex
B
PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO THE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST
AGREEMENT
This
Amendment No. 2 (this “Amendment”), dated as of June , 2024,
to the Investment Management Trust Agreement (as defined below) is made by and between Patria Latin American Opportunity Acquisition
Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation,
as trustee (“Trustee”). All terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Trust Agreement.
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Trustee entered into an Investment Management Trust Agreement dated as of March 9, 2022, as amended by Amendment
No. 1 on or about June 12, 2023 (the “Trust Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
Section 1(i) of the Trust Agreement sets forth the terms that govern the liquidation of the Trust Account under the circumstances described
therein;
WHEREAS
Section 1(m) of the Trust Agreement sets forth the procedure for the extension of the Termination Date (as defined below); and
WHEREAS,
at the extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on June , 2024 (the “EGM”), the Company’s shareholders approved,
among others, (A) a proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Amended
and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association”), to change the payment required to extend the date by which the Company must
consummate an initial business combination (the “Termination Date”) on a monthly basis by up to a further 15 months (the
“Articles Extension Date”) until September 14, 2025 (the date which is 42 months from the closing date of the Company’s
initial public offering (the “IPO”)). As amended, the required payments for the Articles Extension Date are the deposit by
the Company into the trust account (the “Trust Account”) established in connection with the Company’s IPO, for each
monthly extension, of the lesser of (i) $75,000 and (ii) $0.015 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect
to Redemptions (each, the “Adjusted Extension Payment”) for each monthly extension (the “Extension Payment”)
and (B) a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement to allow for the Extension Amendment.
NOW
THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Exhibit
E of Section 1(m) of the Trust Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
EXHIBIT
E
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert date]
Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
1 State Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Attn: Francis Wolf & Celeste Gonzalez
Re: Trust
Account - Extension Letter
Dear Mr.
Wolf and Ms. Gonzalez:
Pursuant
to Section 1(m) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Patria Latin American Opportunity Acquisition Corp. (“Company”)
and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of March 9, 2022 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you
that the Company is extending the time available to consummate a Business Combination for an additional one (1) month, from to (the “Extension”).
This
Extension Letter shall serve as the notice required with respect to the Extension prior to the Deadline. Capitalized words used herein
and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.
In
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to deposit, for each monthly extension, the lesser of (i) $75,000
and (ii) $0.015 for each Class A ordinary share then outstanding after giving effect to Redemptions, which will be wired to you, into
the Trust Account investments upon receipt.
Very
truly yours,
|
Patria Latin American Opportunity Acquisition Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Title: |
|
cc: J.P.
Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
2. All
other provisions of the Trust Agreement shall remain unaffected by the terms hereof.
| 3. | This
Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original
and all of which shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument, with the same effect
as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. A facsimile signature
or electronic signature shall be deemed to be an original signature for purposes of this
Amendment. |
| 4. | This
Amendment is intended to be in full compliance with the requirements for an Amendment to
the Trust Agreement as required by Section 6(c) of the Trust Agreement, and every defect
in fulfilling such requirements for an effective amendment to the Trust Agreement is hereby
ratified, intentionally waived and relinquished by all parties hereto. |
| 5. | This
Amendment shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result
in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. |
[signature
page follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Amendment to the Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written
above.
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
Name: |
Francis Wolf |
|
Title: |
Vice President |
|
PATRIA LATIN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY ACQUISITION CORP. |
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
Name: |
José Augusto Gonçalves de Araújo Teixeira |
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
|
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