C1 Fund sets first annual meeting for December 1
A control weakness tied to staffing and accounting expertise is disclosed alongside the board’s election and auditor-ratification proposals.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
C1 Fund Inc. (CFND) asks stockholders to act at its first annual meeting, scheduled for December 1, 2026, at noon Eastern Time via live webcast. The proposals are to elect Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer as Class I directors for terms through the 2029 annual meeting, and to ratify CBIZ CPAs P.C. as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026. The board recommends FOR both proposals. Holders of 6,096,148 common shares outstanding as of October 13, 2026, are entitled to vote.
The proxy also describes material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025. BDO identified a lack of personnel with appropriate internal-control and accounting knowledge, skills, training, and experience for the Fund’s reporting requirements, and stated that this contributed to additional weaknesses in financial-reporting processes. The Audit Committee approved BDO’s dismissal effective March 16, 2026; CBIZ has served since March 17, 2026.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Major pointMaterial weaknesses identified in financial reporting controls as of December 31, 2025.
Key Figures
Key Terms
material weaknesses financial
annualized rate financial
plurality of votes cast regulatory
broker non-votes regulatory
Compensation Summary
- Elect Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer as Class I directors.
- Ratify CBIZ CPAs P.C. as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What are CFND shareholders voting on at the 2026 annual meeting?
How do CFND shareholders attend the 2026 annual meeting?
What vote is required for CFND’s director election and auditor ratification?
When are CFND’s 2027 Rule 14a-8 proposals due?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
☐ | 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 |
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(i) | The election of the following directors of the Company as Class I members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) to serve until the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified: |
• | Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai; and |
• | Jeffrey H. Singer. |
(ii) | To consider and vote upon the ratification of the selection of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and |
(iii) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. |
(i) | The election of Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer as Class I members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) to serve until the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; |
(ii) | To consider and vote upon the ratification of the selection of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and |
(iii) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. |
Q: | What is the date of the Annual Meeting and where will it be held? |
A: | The Annual Meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of stockholders of C1 Fund Inc., which is sometimes referred to in this proxy statement as “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company,” will be held on December 1, 2026 at Noon Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually via live webcast. |
Q: | What will I be voting on at the Annual Meeting? |
A: | At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked the following: |
(i) | To consider and vote upon the election of Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer as Class I members of the Board to serve until the 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; |
(ii) | To consider and vote upon the ratification of the selection of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; and |
(iii) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. |
Q: | Who can vote at the Annual Meeting? |
A: | Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 13, 2026 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. |
Q: | How many votes do I have? |
A: | Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, held as of the Record Date. There is no cumulative voting. |
Q: | How can I vote at the Annual Meeting? |
A: | By voting at the Annual Meeting. If you were a stockholder as of the Record Date, or you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting, you can vote at the Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually and conducted via live webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CFND2026. |
• | indicate your instructions on the proxy card; |
• | date and sign the proxy card; |
• | mail the proxy card promptly in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States; and |
• | allow sufficient time for the proxy card to be received on or before Noon on November 30, 2026. |
Q: | Does the Board recommend voting for each of the Proposals? |
A: | Yes. The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each proposal. |
Q: | Why does the Board recommend voting FOR Proposal 1, the election of Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer? |
A: | Dr. Kidwai is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and has served as a director since October 2024. He is the founder and former Chairman and Director of Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp, a Venture Partner and Investment Committee Member of Frontier Ventures, and Co-Founder and Excomm Member of EQUIAM. The Board believes Dr. Kidwai’s deep expertise in digital assets, venture capital, and investment management makes him well qualified to serve on the Board. |
Q: | Why does the Board recommend voting FOR Proposal 2, to ratify the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm? |
A: | CBIZ CPAs P.C. (“CBIZ”) has been appointed by the Board to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The Board has submitted the selection of CBIZ to stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate governance. Although action by the stockholders on this matter is not required, the Audit Committee and the Board believe it is appropriate to seek stockholder ratification of this selection in light of the role played by the independent registered public accounting firm in reporting on the Company’s financial statements. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum? |
A: | The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock of the Company entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum. |
Q: | What vote is required for each proposal? |
A: | For Proposal 1 (election of directors), directors will be elected by a plurality of all votes cast at the Annual Meeting. For Proposal 2 (ratification of independent auditor), approval requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of either proposal. |
Q: | Can I revoke my proxy? |
A: | Yes. Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to exercise by filing a written revocation with the Secretary of the Company, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting. Unless revoked, a proxy will remain valid for up to eleven months from its date. |
Q: | Who are the named proxies? |
Q: | Who pays the cost of soliciting proxies? |
Proposal | Vote Required | Broker Discretionary Voting Allowed | Effect of Abstentions/Broker Non-Votes | ||||||
Proposal 1—Election of Class I Directors | Plurality of votes cast | Yes | No effect | ||||||
Proposal 2—Ratification of CBIZ CPAs P.C. | Majority of votes cast | Yes | No effect | ||||||
• | Class I (terms expiring at this Annual Meeting): Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai and Jeffrey H. Singer |
• | Class II (terms expiring at the 2027 annual meeting): Matthew Krna |
• | Class III (terms expiring at the 2028 annual meeting): Scott Alexander Reed and Michael (Xu) Zhao |
Name and Age(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Term at Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex overseen by Director | Other Directorships Held by the Director During the Past Five Years | ||||||||||
Interested Director | |||||||||||||||
Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai, 57 | Director, President, Chief Executive Officer | Director since October 2024; Term expires 2026 | Founder, Chairman and Director of Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp (2021–2022); Venture Partner and Investment Committee Member of Frontier Ventures (2016–present); Co-Founder and Excomm Member of EQUIAM (venture capital) (2017–present); | — | Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp; Klickl; TransFi | ||||||||||
Independent Director | |||||||||||||||
Jeffrey H. Singer, 62 | Director | Director since October 2024; Term expires 2026 | Chief Operating Officer, doTERRA International LLC (2023–2024); Professional in Residence at Utah Valley University (2021–present); Managing Director, Singer Global Management Group (2021–present); CEO, YBA Kanoo (2019–2020) | — | Shatranj Capital Partners; doTERRA International LLC; Vietnam International Finance Center | ||||||||||
(1) | The address of each director nominee is c/o C1 Fund Inc., 3000 El Camino Real Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. |
Name and Age(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Term at Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex overseen by Director | Other Directorships Held by the Director During the Past Five Years | ||||||||||
Matthew Krna, 48 | Director | Director since October 2024; Term expires 2027 | Founder and Managing Partner, Two Meter Capital LLC (2024–present); Managing Partner, Ladera Venture Partners, (2020–present); Venture Partner, Alpha Partners (2020–present); CEO, APTM (2021–2023); Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Princeville Global (2015–2020) | — | Doctor on Demand; Remitly (board observer) | ||||||||||
(1) | The address for each Class II director is c/o C1 Fund Inc., 3000 El Camino Real Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. |
Name and Age(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Term at Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex overseen by Director | Other Directorships Held by the Director During the Past Five Years | ||||||||||
Scott Alexander Reed, 56 | Director | Director since February 2025; Term expires 2028 | Co-founder, Partner and Director, Bankcap Partners (2005–present); CEO, LF Capital Acquisition Corp I and II (2020–2023) | — | BankCap Partners; LF Capital Acquisition Corp I and II; Silvergate Capital; PT Financial Holdings | ||||||||||
Michael (Xu) Zhao, 43 | Director, Vice Chairman | Director since October 2024; Term expires 2028 | Founder, Chief Executive Officer, KLICKL (2017-present); Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp (2021–2022); Co-Chairman of the Hong Kong Blockchain Association (2018–present); Executive Chairman of International Digital Currency Markets (2017–present) | — | Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp; Hong Kong Blockchain Association | ||||||||||
(1) | The address for each Class III director is c/o C1 Fund Inc., 3000 El Camino Real Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. |
(i) | The Company enhanced its comprehensive Risk Control Matrix based on the COSO 2013 framework, encompassing 31 key controls across seven process areas, supported by detailed enhancements to its five formal process narratives: System, Treasury Cycle, Investment Cycle, Equity Cycle, and Financial Reporting Close Process controls. Each enhanced narrative was prepared by the Chief Financial Officer, reviewed by the Controller, and concurred by the Chief Executive Officer. |
(ii) | The Company added a controller and a senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, each engaged under contract, to provide additional accounting and financial reporting expertise and support timely execution, review, and evaluation of accounting compliance and financial reporting. |
(iii) | The Company enhanced its treasury and expense policies and procedures via a written Treasury Cycle Narrative, covering cash receipts, expense disbursements, budget approval processes, and exception-escalation procedures, with related key controls documented in the Risk Control Matrix. |
(iv) | The Company enhanced its investment valuation framework by documenting a valuation hierarchy in the System and Investment Cycle Narratives, with enhanced controls over valuation assumptions and trade data in line with SEC and ASC 820 requirements. |
(v) | The Company enhanced its RIC tax compliance via quarterly qualification testing performed by the Fund administrator and supervised by the Chief Financial Officer and/or Controller in coordination with the Fund’s tax adviser, with results reported to the Audit Committee quarterly. |
(vi) | The Company enhanced its written financial statement review and approval framework by incorporating multiple levels of review by Fund management, the Fund Administrator and the Audit Committee and Board, consistent with COSO Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013). |
• | whether the individual possesses high standards of character and integrity, relevant experience, a willingness to ask hard questions and the ability to work well with others; |
• | whether the individual is free of conflicts of interest that would violate applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper performance of the responsibilities of a director; |
• | whether the individual is willing and able to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director and Board committee member; |
• | whether the individual has the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the stockholders as a whole and not a special interest group or constituency; and |
• | whether the individual possesses the skills, experiences (such as current business experience or other such current involvement in public service, academia or scientific communities), particular areas of expertise, particular backgrounds, and other characteristics that will help ensure the effectiveness of the Board and Board committees. |
Name and Age(1) | Position(s) Held with the Company | Term at Office and Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years | Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex overseen by Director | Other Directorships Held by the Director During the Past Five Years | ||||||||||
Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai, 57 | President, Chief Executive Officer | President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2024 | Founder, Chairman and Director of Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp (2021–2022); Venture Partner and Investment Committee Member of Frontier Ventures (2016–present); Co-Founder and Excomm Member of EQUIAM (venture capital) (2017–present) | — | Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp; EQUIAM; ToTheNew Ventures | ||||||||||
Elliot Han, 49 | Chief Investment Officer | Chief Investment Officer Since March 2025 | Partner, PGP Capital Advisors (2023-present); Managing Director Cantor Fitzgerald (2021-2023); Head- Fintech and Consumer Tech Capital Markets, NYSE (2020-2021) | — | Chairman, Phunware Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) | ||||||||||
David Hytha, 72 | Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since August 2024 | Chief Financial Officer of Crypto 1 Acquisition Corp (2021–2022); Founder and Managing Partner for New Wave Partners Inc. (2008–present) | — | — | ||||||||||
Alex Morgan, 37 | Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Compliance Officer since January 2025 | Fund Chief Compliance Officer, SS&C ALPS (2024–present); Vice President—Compliance, Northern Trust Asset Management (2020–present) | — | — | ||||||||||
(1) | The address for each officer of the Company is c/o C1 Fund Inc., 3000 El Camino Real Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. |
Name | Aggregate Compensation From Fund | Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses | Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement | Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Directors | ||||||||
Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai | $0 | N/A | N/A | $0 | ||||||||
Michael Lempres | $0 | N/A | N/A | $0 | ||||||||
Michael (Xu) Zhao | $0 | N/A | N/A | $0 | ||||||||
Jeffrey H. Singer | $25,000 | N/A | N/A | $25,000 | ||||||||
Matthew Krna | $25,000 | N/A | N/A | $25,000 | ||||||||
Scott Alexander Reed | $25,000 | N/A | N/A | $25,000 | ||||||||
Sara Wardell-Smith | $25,000 | N/A | N/A | $25,000 | ||||||||
Fee Category | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||
Audit Fees | $300,000.00 | $0 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | $192,000.00 | $0 | ||||
Tax Fees | $0 | $4,000 | ||||
All Other Fees | $0 | $0 | ||||
Total Fees | $492,000.00 | $4,000 | ||||
Fee Category | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 | ||
Audit Fees | $374,244 | ||
Audit-Related Fees | $0 | ||
Tax Fees | $15,000 | ||
All Other Fees | $0 | ||
Total Fees | $389,244 | ||
(1) | segregation of duties related to the Fund’s treasury process; |
(2) | valuation policies and procedures to meet the Fund’s requirements under Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act and with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”); |
(3) | the review of third-party valuations; |
(4) | review and monitoring for compliance related to taxation for regulated investment companies (specifically Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code); |
(5) | policies and procedures related to the accrual and approval of expenses; and |
(6) | policies and procedures related to the review and approval of the financial statements and financial reporting package. |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) | Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Outstanding Shares | ||||
5% or Greater Stockholders: | ||||||
C1 Group LLC | 666,666 | 10.94% | ||||
BJI Financial Group(2) | 457,282 | 7.50% | ||||
Directors and Executive Officers: | ||||||
Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai(3) | 218,249 | 3.58% | ||||
Michael (Xu) Zhao(4) | 159,984 | 2.62% | ||||
Jeffrey H. Singer | 2,000 | 0.03% | ||||
Matthew Krna | 1,693 | 0.03% | ||||
Scott Alexander Reed | 117,500 | 1.93% | ||||
David Hytha(5) | 32,051 | 0.53% | ||||
Elliot Han(6) | 32,047 | 0.53% | ||||
Alex Morgan | 0 | 0.00% | ||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons) | 563,524 | 9.24% | ||||
(1) | The address of each officer and director of the Company is c/o C1 Fund Inc., 3000 El Camino Real Building 4, Palo Alto, CA 94306. |
(2) | Represents shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned as of August 18, 2026, based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on August 18, 2026, by BJI Financial Group. BJI Financial Group lists its address as 111 Sandalwood Drive, Marlboro NJ 07746, and indicates that it has voting and dispositive power with respect to 457,282 shares of the Company’s common stock. |
(3) | Represents 37,980 shares owned directly by Dr. Kidwai and 180,269 shares owned indirectly by Dr. Kidwai via his ownership interest in C1 Group LLC (the “Sponsor”). |
(4) | Represents 159,984 shares owned indirectly by Mr. Zhao via his ownership interest in the Sponsor. |
(5) | Represents 5,004 shares owned directly by Mr. Hytha and 27,047 shares owned indirectly by Mr. Hytha via his ownership interest in the Sponsor. |
(6) | Represents 5,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Han and 27,047 shares owned indirectly by Mr. Han via his ownership interest in the Sponsor. |
Name of Officer or Director | Number of Late Reports | Number of transactions not timely reported | ||||
David Hytha | 1 | 1 | ||||
Scott Alexander Reed | 2 | 4 | ||||
Matthew Krna | 1 | 1 | ||||
Elliot Han | 1 | 0 (Form 3 Holding. No transaction was untimely reported) | ||||
Name of Director/Director Nominee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Company1,2 | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Director or Nominee in Family of Investment Companies | ||||
Dr. Najamul Hasan Kidwai | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||||
Michael (Xu) Zhao | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||||
Jeffrey H. Singer | $1-$10,000 | $1-$10,000 | ||||
Matthew Krna | $1-$10,000 | $1-$10,000 | ||||
Scott Alexander Reed | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||||
1 | Beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act. |
2 | The dollar range of equity securities of the Company beneficially owned by directors of the Company, if applicable, is calculated by multiplying our closing trading price per share as of October 13, 2026 of $2.70 times the number of shares beneficially owned. |

