Kernel (KRNL) - 2022 Q4 - Annual Report
Kernel Kernel (US:KRNL)2023-03-29 20:06

Company Formation and Purpose - The company was formed as a blank check company for the purpose of effecting a business combination, with no target selected yet [23]. - The company is classified as an "emerging growth company," allowing it to take advantage of certain exemptions from reporting requirements [68]. - The company is also a "smaller reporting company," which allows for reduced disclosure obligations, potentially complicating comparisons with other public companies [203]. Financial Overview - The initial public offering (IPO) raised $304.75 million, with 30,475,000 units sold at $10.00 per unit [25]. - A private placement generated an additional $8.75 million from the sale of 8,750,000 private placement warrants at $1.00 each [26]. - The net proceeds from the initial public offering and the sale of private placement warrants amount to up to $295,338,750, which may be used to complete the initial business combination [136]. - The company has approximately $1,225,000 available outside the trust account to fund working capital requirements [99]. Business Combination Details - The Business Combination Agreement was entered into on March 3, 2023, involving a merger with AIRO Group Holdings [29]. - The merger consideration includes an aggregate value of $770 million, subject to adjustments based on net working capital and net debt [32]. - Conditions for consummation of the merger include shareholder approvals, regulatory approvals, and a minimum net tangible asset test of $5 million [33]. - The initial business combination must involve target businesses with an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the net assets held in the trust account [63]. - The company must complete its initial business combination within 24 months (or 30 months with extensions), which may limit negotiation leverage with potential target businesses [84]. Management and Strategy - The management team aims to focus on acquisition opportunities in the Commerce Enablement, Supply Chain, Logistics, and related Technology Infrastructure sectors, targeting businesses with an enterprise value exceeding $1 billion [24]. - The management team has extensive experience in driving growth through optimizing operations and improving technology systems, led by CEO Suren Ajjarapu with over 25 years in technology-based companies [36]. - The management team aims to generate attractive returns for shareholders by enhancing operational performance of acquired companies [49]. - The company is focused on identifying profitable and growing businesses that leverage technology for transformational customer service [45]. - The management team has a strong network of business contacts to facilitate potential acquisition opportunities [47]. Risks and Challenges - The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect the company's ability to find and complete a business combination due to market volatility and restrictions on travel and meetings [86]. - The company may face intense competition from other special purpose acquisition companies, which could increase the cost of finding suitable targets [95]. - The company may face challenges in raising equity and debt financing due to market conditions influenced by COVID-19, impacting its ability to complete a business combination [87]. - The company may not know how many shareholders will exercise their redemption rights at the time of entering into a business combination agreement, complicating transaction structuring [80]. - The company may face write-downs or impairments post-business combination, negatively impacting financial condition and securities value [113]. Shareholder Rights and Redemption - Public shareholders can only redeem their shares for cash under specific circumstances, and if too many shareholders exercise their redemption rights, it may hinder the company's ability to meet closing conditions for a business combination [78]. - The company is obligated to offer public shareholders the right to redeem their shares for cash at the time of the initial business combination [96]. - If the initial business combination is not consummated within the required time period, public shareholders may receive approximately $10.00 per share upon liquidation [126]. - The per-share redemption amount could be less than $10.00 due to potential claims against the trust account [114]. Legal and Regulatory Considerations - The company may face difficulties in protecting shareholder interests due to its incorporation under the laws of the Cayman Islands, which limits the ability to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts [207]. - The company may be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC), which could lead to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. investors [214]. - There is uncertainty regarding the tax implications for shareholders or warrant holders if the company reincorporates in another jurisdiction during its initial business combination [215]. Potential Conflicts of Interest - Potential conflicts of interest may arise due to management's ownership of founder shares and other interests, which will be disclosed in shareholder communications [60]. - The company may engage in business combinations with entities affiliated with its Sponsor, executive officers, or directors, which could lead to potential conflicts of interest [190]. - The sponsor owns 20% of the outstanding ordinary shares, and if shareholder approval is sought, at least 9,937,501 shares (37.5%) or 1,656,251 shares (6.25%) must be voted in favor for the business combination to be approved [77]. Operational Considerations - The company must maintain a minimum shareholders' equity of $2,500,000 and at least 300 public holders to avoid delisting from Nasdaq [156]. - After the initial business combination, the company must demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq's initial listing requirements, including a share price of at least $4.00 and shareholders' equity of at least $5.0 million [157]. - The company may need to rely on loans from its Sponsor or affiliates to fund its search for a target business if net proceeds are insufficient [98]. Share Structure and Securities - The company may issue additional Class A ordinary shares or preference shares, which could dilute existing shareholders' interests [159]. - The company issued a total of 14,375,000 public warrants and 8,750,000 private placement warrants, with the exercise price set at $11.50 per share [170]. - The company may redeem outstanding public warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant if the Class A ordinary shares close at or above $10.00 for 20 trading days within a 30-day period [168].