Churchill Capital IX (NASDAQ: CCIX) pushes PlusAI merger vote to Feb. 11

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Churchill Capital Corp IX has postponed its extraordinary general meeting to approve the proposed business combination with Plus Automation, Inc. (PlusAI) from February 3, 2026 to February 11, 2026. The board moved the date to allow more time to engage with shareholders, including after PlusAI’s announcement of an expanded partnership with TRATON Group.

The rescheduled meeting will be held on February 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time in New York and via live webcast. The deadline for public shareholders to submit redemption requests has been extended to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 9, 2026, and prior redemption requests can be revoked before that time. Shareholders of record as of January 7, 2026 may vote, and previously submitted proxies remain valid.

The Churchill board continues to recommend that shareholders vote in favor of the proposed business combination and related matters. If the deal closes and all Nasdaq requirements are met, the combined company intends to list its common stock and public warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “PLS” and “PLSW”, respectively.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 27, 2026

CHURCHILL CAPITAL CORP IX

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Cayman Islands		001-42041		86-1885237
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

640 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10019

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 380-7500

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☒ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-quarter of one redeemable warrant		CCIXU		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share		CCIX		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share		CCIXW		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

Emerging growth company ☒

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

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 27, 2026, Churchill Capital Corp IX, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Churchill”), and Plus Automation, Inc, a Delaware corporation (“PlusAI”), issued a joint press release announcing the postponement of Churchill’s extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to vote upon the proposed business combination between Churchill and PlusAI from February 3, 2026 to February 11, 2026. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

The foregoing (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and will not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

Postponement of Extraordinary General Meeting

The extraordinary general meeting of Churchill’s shareholders to approve the proposed business combination between Churchill and PlusAI has been rescheduled from February 3, 2026 to February 11, 2026. The Board of Directors of Churchill decided to postpone the meeting in order to allow additional time for Churchill to engage with its shareholders, including following the announcement by PlusAI regarding its expanded partnership with TRATON Group, filed by Churchill on a Current Report on Form 8-K on January 26, 2026. The rescheduled meeting will be held on February 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP located at 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019 and virtually via live webcast at https://www.cstproxy.com/churchillcapitalx/2026.

As a result of the postponement, the deadline for delivery of redemption requests from Churchill’s public shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination has been extended from January 30, 2026 (two business days before the originally scheduled extraordinary general meeting) to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on February 9, 2026, the second business day preceding the rescheduled extraordinary general meeting. Public shareholders who have already submitted redemption requests may revoke such requests prior to the new deadline in accordance with the procedures described in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination which is available at: http://www.sec.gov.

All of Churchill’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 7, 2026, are entitled to vote at the postponed extraordinary general meeting. Churchill’s shareholders who have not already voted, or wish to change their vote, are strongly encouraged to submit their proxies as soon as possible. Valid proxies previously submitted by shareholders will continue to be valid for purposes of the postponed extraordinary general meeting. For more information on how to vote, please call Churchill’s proxy solicitor, Sodali & Co, at (800) 662-5200 for shareholders or (203) 658-9400 for bankers and brokers or email CCIX.info@investor.sodali.com. More details about the proposed business combination and the resolutions to be voted upon at the extraordinary general meeting can be found in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination which is available at: http://www.sec.gov. Churchill reminds its shareholders that the Churchill board has recommended that Churchill shareholders vote in favor of the proposed business combination and the other matters presented for approval at the extraordinary general meeting.

Assuming satisfaction of the conditions to the closing of the proposed business combination, including approval of the proposed business combination by Churchill’s shareholders, the post-proposed business combination company intends to list its common stock and public warrants on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) under the proposed symbols “PLS” and “PLSW,” respectively. The Nasdaq listing is subject to the closing of the proposed business combination and fulfillment of all Nasdaq listing requirements.

Every vote is important and Churchill encourages all shareholders to make their voices heard by authorizing their proxy online or by mail as soon as possible, regardless of the number of shares held. Churchill shareholders who need assistance in completing the proxy card, need additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, or have questions regarding the extraordinary general meeting may contact Churchill’s proxy solicitor, Sodali & Co, by calling (800) 662-5200 (toll free) or banks and brokers can call (203) 658-9400, or by e-mailing CCIX.info@investor.sodali.com.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can listen to the meeting by dialing 1-800-450-7155 (toll-free) (or +1 857-999-9155 if you are located outside the United States and Canada (standard rates apply)) and when prompted enter 9439752#. Please note that you will not be able to vote or ask questions at the extraordinary meeting if you choose to participate telephonically.

Forward Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K (“Current Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “project,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “target,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict”, “accelerate” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. We have based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events. These statements include: expectations regarding the completion of the business combination between PlusAI and Churchill; PlusAI’s expectations concerning relationships with strategic partners; and terms of the TRATON investment, for which a definitive agreement governing the terms of the arrangement is under negotiation and is currently subject to a non-binding agreement only.

These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of PlusAI and Churchill.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: that PlusAI is pursuing an emerging technology, faces significant technical challenges and may not achieve commercialization or market acceptance; PlusAI’s historical net losses and limited operating history; PlusAI’s expectations regarding future financial performance, capital requirements and unit economics; PlusAI’s use and reporting of business and operational metrics; PlusAI’s competitive landscape; PlusAI’s dependence on members of its senior management and its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the capital requirements of PlusAI’s business plans and the potential need for additional future financing; PlusAI’s ability to manage growth and expand its operations; potential future acquisitions or investments in companies, products, services or technologies; PlusAI’s reliance on strategic partners and other third parties; PlusAI’s ability to maintain, protect and defend its intellectual property rights; risks associated with privacy, data protection or cybersecurity incidents and related regulations; the use and regulation of artificial intelligence and machine learning; uncertainty or changes with respect to laws and regulations; uncertainty or changes with respect to taxes, trade conditions and the macroeconomic environment; the combined company’s ability to maintain internal control over financial reporting and operate a public company; the risk that shareholders of Churchill could elect to have their shares redeemed, leaving the combined company with insufficient cash to execute its business plans; the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings or government investigations that may be commenced against PlusAI or Churchill; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction; the ability of Churchill or the combined company to issue equity or equity-linked securities in connection with the proposed transaction or in the future; and other factors described in Churchill’s filings with the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact such forward-looking statements can be found in filings and potential filings by

PlusAI, Churchill or the combined company resulting from the proposed transaction with the SEC, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” If any of these risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements reflect the expectations, plans and forecasts of PlusAI’s and Churchill’s management as of the date of this communication; subsequent events and developments may cause their assessments to change. While PlusAI and Churchill may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon these statements.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Current Report, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

An investment in Churchill is not an investment in any of our founders’ or sponsors’ past investments, companies or affiliated funds. The historical results of those investments are not indicative of future performance of Churchill, which may differ materially from the performance of our founders’ or sponsors’ past investments.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This Current Report relates to the proposed business combination between PlusAI and Churchill. In connection with the proposed business combination, Churchill has filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes a proxy statement/prospectus that has been distributed to Churchill’s shareholders in connection with Churchill’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Churchill’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction and other matters described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to PlusAI stockholders in connection with the completion of the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and Churchill has mailed a proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed transaction. Before making any voting or investment decision, Churchill shareholders, PlusAI stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC by Churchill in connection with the proposed transaction, as these documents will contain important information about Churchill, PlusAI and the proposed transaction. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the proxy statement statement/prospectus, as well as other documents filed by Churchill with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a written request to Churchill Capital Corp IX, 640 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10019.The information contained on, or that may be accessed through the websites referenced in this Current Report is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this Current Report.

Participants in the Solicitation

Churchill, PlusAI and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Churchill’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Churchill’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction are set forth in proxy statement/prospectus filed by Churchill with the SEC on January 12, 2026. You can find more information about Churchill’s directors and executive officers in Churchill’s final prospectus related to its initial public offering filed with the SEC on May 1, 2024 and in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by Churchill with the SEC. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests is included in the proxy statement/prospectus. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources described above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This Current Report does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This Current Report is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities described herein in the United States or any other jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exemptions therefrom. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference herein.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Joint Press Release of Churchill Capital Corp IX and Plus Automation, Inc., dated January 27, 2026.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

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

Dated: January 27, 2026

CHURCHILL CAPITAL CORP IX
By:		/s/ Jay Taragin
Name:		Jay Taragin
Title:		Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did Churchill Capital Corp IX (CCIX) announce in this 8-K?

Churchill Capital Corp IX postponed its shareholder meeting to vote on the PlusAI business combination from February 3, 2026 to February 11, 2026. The company wants more time to engage shareholders following PlusAI’s expanded partnership announcement with TRATON Group.

When will CCIX shareholders now vote on the PlusAI business combination?

The extraordinary general meeting is rescheduled for February 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time in New York and via live webcast. Shareholders of record as of January 7, 2026 remain eligible to vote on the proposed business combination and related matters.

What is the new redemption deadline for CCIX public shareholders?

The redemption deadline has been extended to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 9, 2026, two business days before the rescheduled meeting. Public shareholders who previously submitted redemption requests may revoke them before this new deadline if they change their decision.

Can Churchill Capital Corp IX shareholders change or submit new votes for the meeting?

Yes, CCIX shareholders can still vote or change their vote for the postponed extraordinary general meeting. Previously submitted valid proxies will continue to count, but investors may update their instructions following the guidance in the proxy statement/prospectus sent by Churchill.

What ticker symbols are planned after the CCIX–PlusAI merger closes?

The combined company intends to list on Nasdaq as “PLS” and “PLSW” for its common stock and public warrants, respectively. These listings will occur only if the business combination closes and all Nasdaq listing requirements are fulfilled.

Why did Churchill Capital Corp IX delay the PlusAI merger vote?

The board delayed the vote to allow additional time to engage shareholders, including after PlusAI’s expanded partnership with TRATON Group. This extension gives investors more opportunity to review information in the proxy statement/prospectus before deciding how to vote or redeem.