Legato Merger (NASDAQ: LEGT) seeks 3‑month extension; insiders to fund $0.03/mo
Legato Merger Corp. III is asking shareholders to approve a special resolution to permit the Board to extend the deadline to complete an initial business combination on a monthly basis for up to three months, to an Extended Date of August 8, 2026.
The Extension is conditioned on the Insiders (including the proposed target, Einride AB) lending $0.03 per Public Share per month for each month of the Extension, with those Contributions deposited into the Company’s Trust Account and increasing the per‑share redemption price. Public Shareholders may elect to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in connection with the Extension vote. If the Extension is not approved and no business combination is consummated by May 8, 2026, the Company will wind up, redeem Public Shares from the Trust Account and liquidate.
Record and context figures disclosed include 25,799,375 ordinary shares outstanding as of the record date and officers and directors beneficially own 4,356,475 ordinary shares (approximately 16.3%). The Board recommends a vote FOR both the Extension and the Adjournment proposals.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Extension shifts dilution timing and concentrates redemption choice with public holders.
The Extension proposal permits monthly extensions up to three months to August 8, 2026, conditioned on Insider Contributions of $0.03 per Public Share per month deposited into the Trust Account. This construction ties additional funding to Insider loans that increase the per‑share redemption pool.
The practical effect: Public Shareholders can elect cash redemption now, which will reduce Trust Account funds available for closing and increase relative Insider ownership if redemptions occur. The Board’s recommendation and officers/directors holding 16.3% of outstanding shares are material governance factors for voting dynamics. Subsequent filings (Form 8‑K) will report monthly Contribution status.
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
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 Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
Legato Merger Corp. III
(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):
| ☒ | No fee required. |
| ☐ | 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 |
Legato Merger Corp. III
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
To Be Held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May __, 2026
Dear Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an extraordinary general meeting (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”) of Legato Merger Corp. III (“Legato,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May __, 2026, virtually, at https://www.______, or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place at which the meeting may be adjourned or postponed. The accompanying proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) is dated April __, 2026 and is first being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about that date.
The sole purpose of the Extraordinary General Meeting is to consider and vote upon and if thought fit, pass and approve the following resolutions:
| ● | to resolve as a special resolution, that the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as adopted by special resolution dated February 5, 2024 with effect from February 5, 2024 (the “Existing Memorandum and Articles”) be amended in the manner set forth in the accompany Proxy Statement (the “Extension Amendment”), pursuant to which the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) may extend the date (the “Extension”) by which the Company must consummate a “business combination” (as defined in the Existing Memorandum and Articles) on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (or until August 8, 2026) (the “Extended Date”), unless the closing of a business combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that Einride AB, the Company’s proposed business combination target, or another mutually agreed upon third party on behalf of Einride AB or the Company, including but not limited to each of their respective officers, directors, affiliates or designees (collectively, the “Insiders”), lend to the Company (each a “Contribution”) $0.03 per Public Share (defined below) outstanding on such date for each month extension utilized to consummate an initial business combination, which Contributions shall be deposited by the Company into the Trust Account (as defined in the Existing Memorandum and Articles) and thereby increase the per-share redemption price paid in connection with the ultimate consummation of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation (the “Extension Proposal”); and | |
| ● | to resolve as an ordinary resolution, that the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to approve the Extension Proposal be approved (the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
The Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are 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.
The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow us more time, if necessary, to complete our business combination. As described in the prospectus for our initial public offering (“IPO”), we had up to February 8, 2026 (or May 8, 2026 if we had executed a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for an initial business combination by February 8, 2026 but had not consummated a transaction by that date) to consummate an initial business combination. As previously disclosed and as discussed in more detail in our public filings, on November 12, 2025, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for its initial business combination with Einride AB (“Einride”), thereby providing the Company with the additional three months (until May 8, 2026) to consummate such transaction. The Company is still in the process of attempting to consummate such transaction and there may not be sufficient time to do so before May 8, 2026. Without the Extension, if we are unable to complete a business combination on or before May 8, 2026, we would be precluded from completing an initial business combination and, among other things, would be required to cease all operations and ultimately liquidate and dissolve the Company. Accordingly, our Board believes that it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders to approve the Extension on the terms described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may decide to abandon the Extension Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to effectuating the Extension.
1
In connection with the Extension Proposal, holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) who purchased their ordinary shares as part of units sold in the IPO (such units the “Public Units,” such Ordinary Shares, the “Public Shares”, and the holders thereof the “Public Shareholders”) may elect to redeem their Public Shares for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account into which certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO, together with certain of the proceeds of a private placement of units (the “Private Placement”, such units the “Private Placement Units”, and the Private Placement Units together with the Public Units the “units”) simultaneously with the closing date of the IPO, was deposited, including interest earned not previously released to us to pay taxes and for trust administration expenses (net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of the then outstanding Public Shares, and which election we refer to as an “Election.” An Election can be made regardless of whether such Public Shareholders vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Extension Proposal or do not vote at all, or do not instruct their broker or bank how to vote, at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Public Shareholders may make an Election regardless of whether such Public Shareholders were holders as of the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting. Public shareholders who do not make the Election would be entitled to have their shares automatically redeemed for cash if we do not complete our initial business combination by the Extended Date.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO VOTE ON OUR BUSINESS COMBINATION AT THIS TIME. If the Extension Proposal is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares now, you will retain the right to vote on the business combination with Einride when it is submitted to shareholders, and the right to redeem your Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event the business combination is approved and completed (as long as your election is made in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company in effect prior to the meeting at which the shareholders’ vote is sought) or the Company has not consummated a business combination by the Extended Date. If the Extension Proposal is not approved, we may not be able to consummate our business combination.
We urge you to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting regarding the proposals.
Based upon the amount in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, which was approximately $____ million, we anticipate that the per-share price at which Public Shares will be redeemed from cash held in the Trust Account will be approximately $____ at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting. Exercising redemption rights may result in a public shareholder receiving more than if the shareholder sold such shares in the open market and the actual market price on the redemption date may be higher or lower than the per share pro rata portion of the Trust Account on such date. Additionally, the Company cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their Ordinary Shares in the open market, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares.
TO DEMAND REDEMPTION, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON MAY __, 2026, TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, YOU SHOULD ELECT EITHER TO PHYSICALLY TENDER YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES TO EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, LLC OR TO DELIVER YOUR SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT ELECTRONICALLY USING DTC’S DWAC (DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN), AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT YOUR BANK OR BROKER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED ELSEWHERE HEREIN.
If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to US$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the Public Shareholders 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law.
2
There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our redeemable warrants, each whole warrant to purchase one ordinary share for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, upon consummation of a business combination (“warrants”), which warrants will expire worthless in the event of our winding up. In the event of a liquidation, the Insiders have agreed that they will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of shares issued to them prior to the IPO (the “Founder Shares” and, together with the Public Shares, the “Ordinary Shares” or “shares”) or the Ordinary Shares included in the Private Units (the “Private Shares”).
The Adjournment Proposal, if approved, will allow our Board to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates if we determine such additional time is necessary to approve the Extension Proposal. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our shareholders in the event that we determine additional time is necessary to approve the Extension Proposal.
The approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Our Board has fixed the close of business on March 30, 2026, as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only holders of record of the ordinary shares on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the Extraordinary General Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
After careful consideration of all relevant factors, our Board has determined that each of the Extension Proposal and Adjournment Proposal is advisable and recommends that you vote or give instruction to vote “FOR” such proposals.
No other business is proposed to be transacted at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Enclosed is the Proxy Statement containing detailed information concerning the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal and the Extraordinary General Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting, we urge you to read this material carefully and vote your ordinary shares.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors of | |
| Greg Monahan | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| April __, 2026 |
Your vote is important. If you are a shareholder of record, please sign, date and return your proxy card as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting. To be counted, all proxy cards must be returned to the Company’s proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., by May __, 2026. If you are a shareholder of record, you may also cast your vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank how to vote your shares, or you may cast your vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting by obtaining a proxy from your brokerage firm or bank. Your failure to vote or instruct your broker or bank how to vote will mean that your ordinary shares will not count towards the quorum requirement for the Extraordinary General Meeting and will not be voted. An abstention or broker non-vote will be counted towards the quorum requirement but will not count as a vote cast at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May __, 2026. This notice of extraordinary general meeting and the accompanying Proxy Statement are available at https://www.______.
3
LEGATO MERGER CORP. III
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
To Be Held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May __, 2026
PROXY STATEMENT
The extraordinary general meeting (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”) of Legato Merger Corp. III (“Legato,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May __, 2026, virtually, at https://www.______ or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place at which the meeting may be adjourned or postponed.
The sole purposes of the Extraordinary General Meeting is to consider and vote upon, if thought fit, pass and approve the following resolutions:
| ● | to resolve as a special resolution, that the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association as adopted by special resolution dated February 5, 2024 with effect from February 5, 2024 (the “Existing Memorandum and Articles”) be amended in the manner set forth in the accompany Proxy Statement (the “Extension Amendment”), pursuant to which the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) may extend the date (the “Extension”) by which the Company must consummate a “business combination” (as defined in the Existing Memorandum and Articles) on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (or until August 8, 2026) (the “Extended Date”), unless the closing of a business combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that Einride AB, the Company’s proposed business combination target, or another mutually agreed upon third party on behalf of Einride AB or the Company, including but not limited to each of their respective officers, directors, affiliates or designees (collectively, the “Insiders”), lend to the Company (each a “Contribution”) $0.03 per Public Share (defined below) outstanding on such date for each month extension utilized to consummate an initial business combination, which Contributions shall be deposited by the Company into the Trust Account (as defined in the Existing Memorandum and Articles) and thereby increase the per-share redemption price paid in connection with the ultimate consummation of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation (the “Extension Proposal”); and | |
| ● | to resolve as an ordinary resolution, that the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to approve the Extension Proposal be approved (the “Adjournment Proposal”). |
Each of the proposals is more fully described in this proxy statement. Please take the time to read carefully each of the proposals in this proxy statement before you vote.
The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow us more time, if necessary, to complete our business combination. As described in the prospectus for our initial public offering (“IPO”), we had up to February 8, 2026 (or May 8, 2026 if we had executed a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for an initial business combination by February 8, 2026 but had not consummated a transaction by that date) to consummate an initial business combination. As previously disclosed and as discussed in more detail in our public filings, on November 12, 2025, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for its initial business combination with Einride AB (“Einride”), thereby providing the Company with the additional three months (until May 8, 2026) to consummate such transaction. The Company is still in the process of attempting to consummate such transaction and there may not be sufficient time to do so before May 8, 2026. Without the Extension, if we are unable to complete a business combination on or before May 8, 2026, we would be precluded from completing an initial business combination and, among other things, would be required to cease all operations and ultimately liquidate and dissolve the Company. Accordingly, our Board believes that it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders to approve the Extension on the terms described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may decide to abandon the Extension Proposal at any time and for any reason prior to effectuating the Extension.
4
In connection with the Extension Proposal, holders of the Company’s ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) who purchased their ordinary shares as part of units sold in the IPO (such units the “Public Units,” such Ordinary Shares, the “Public Shares”, and the holders thereof the “Public Shareholders”) may elect to redeem their Public Shares for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the account established in connection with the IPO and into which certain amount of the net proceeds of the IPO, together with certain of the proceeds of a private placement of units (the “Private Placement,” such units the “Private Placement Units” and the Private Placement Units together with the Public Units the “units”) simultaneously with the closing date of the IPO, was deposited (the “Trust Account”), including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of the then outstanding Public Shares, and which election we refer to as an “Election.” An Election can be made regardless of whether such Public Shareholders vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Extension Proposal or do not vote at all, or do not instruct their broker or bank how to vote, at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Public Shareholders may make an Election regardless of whether such Public Shareholders were holders as of the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting. Public shareholders who do not make the Election would be entitled to have their shares automatically redeemed for cash if we do not complete our initial business combination by the Extended Date.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO VOTE ON OUR BUSINESS COMBINATION WITH EINRIDE AT THIS TIME. If the Extension Proposal is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares now, you will retain the right to vote on the business combination when it is submitted to shareholders, and the right to redeem your Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event the business combination is approved and completed (as long as your election is made in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company in effect prior to the meeting at which the shareholders’ vote is sought) or the Company has not consummated a business combination by the Extended Date. If the Extension Proposal is not approved, we may not be able to consummate our business combination.
We urge you to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting regarding the proposals.
Based upon the amount in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, which was approximately $____ million, we anticipate that the per-share price at which Public Shares will be redeemed from cash held in the Trust Account will be approximately $____ at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting.
The withdrawal of funds from the Trust Account in connection with the Election (the “Withdrawal Amount”) will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account following the Election, and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be only a small fraction of the approximately $____ million that was in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026. In such event, we may need to obtain additional funds to complete an initial business combination, and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on terms acceptable or at all.
TO DEMAND REDEMPTION, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON MAY __, 2026, TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, YOU SHOULD ELECT EITHER TO PHYSICALLY TENDER YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES TO EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, LLC OR TO DELIVER YOUR SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT ELECTRONICALLY USING DTC’S DWAC (DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN), AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT YOUR BANK OR BROKER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED ELSEWHERE HEREIN.
If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the Public Shareholders 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law.
5
There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to our redeemable warrants, each whole warrant to purchase one ordinary share for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, upon consummation of a business combination (“warrants”), which warrants will expire worthless in the event of our winding up. In the event of a liquidation, holders of our Ordinary Shares issued prior to the IPO (the “Founder Shares”, and such Founder Shares collectively with the Public Shares the “ordinary shares” or “shares”), will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of Founder Shares or the Ordinary Shares included in the Private Units (the “Private Shares”).
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow our Board to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates if necessary to approve the Extension Proposal.
The approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Our Board has fixed the close of business on March 30, 2026, as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only holders of record of the ordinary shares on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the Extraordinary General Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This Proxy Statement contains important information about the Extraordinary General Meeting and the proposals. Please read it carefully and vote your shares.
We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. We have engaged MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (the “Proxy Solicitor”), to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Extraordinary General Meeting. We have agreed to pay the Proxy Solicitor a fee of $15,000 upon the consummation of our initial business combination. We will also reimburse the Proxy Solicitor for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify the Proxy Solicitor and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and officers may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
This Proxy Statement is dated April __, 2026 and is first being mailed to shareholders on or about that date.
6
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
These Questions and Answers are only summaries of the matters they discuss. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully the entire document.
| Q. | A. | |
| Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement? |
We are a blank check company incorporated on November 6, 2023, as a Cayman Islands exempted company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On February 8, 2024, we consummated our IPO from which we derived proceeds that were deposited into our Trust Account.
As described in the prospectus for our IPO, we had up to February 8, 2026 (or May 8, 2026 if we had executed a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for an initial business combination by February 8, 2026 but had not consummated a transaction by that date) to consummate an initial business combination. As previously disclosed and as discussed in more detail in our public filings, on November 12, 2025, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for its initial business combination with Einride, thereby providing the Company with the additional three months (until May 8, 2026) to consummate such transaction. The Company is still in the process of attempting to consummate such transaction and there may not be sufficient time to do so before May 8, 2026. Without the Extension, if we are unable to complete a business combination on or before May 8, 2026, we would be precluded from completing an initial business combination and, among other things, would be required to cease all operations and ultimately liquidate and dissolve the Company. Accordingly, our Board believes that it is advisable and in our best interest of the Company and our shareholders to approve the Extension on the terms described herein. | |
| Q. | A. | |
| What is being voted on? | You are being asked to vote on: |
| ● | Proposal No. 1 - The Extension Proposal - to resolve as a special resolution, that the Company’s Existing Memorandum and Articles be amended in the manner set forth in this proxy statement, pursuant to which the Board may extend the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination (as defined in the Existing Memorandum and Articles) on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (or until August 8, 2026), unless the closing of a business combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that the Insiders lend to the Company $0.03 per Public Share outstanding on such date for each month extension utilized to consummate an initial business combination, which Contributions shall be deposited by the Company into the Trust Account and thereby increase the per-share redemption price paid in connection with the ultimate consummation of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation. | |||
| ● | Proposal No. 2 - The Adjournment Proposal - to resolve as an ordinary resolution, that the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to approve the Extension Proposal, be approved. |
7
|
We are not asking you to vote on our proposed business combination with Einride at this time. If the Extension is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares now, you will retain the right to vote on the business combination when it is submitted to shareholders, and the right to redeem your Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event the business combination is approved and completed (as long as your election is made in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company in effect prior to the meeting at which the shareholders’ vote is sought) or the Company has not consummated a business combination by the Extended Date. If the Extension Proposal is not approved, we may not be able to consummate our business combination.
We urge you to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting regarding the proposals.
If the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension is implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account following the Election. We cannot predict the amount that will remain in the Trust Account if the Extension Proposal is approved and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be only a small fraction of the approximately $____ million that was in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026. In such event, we may need to obtain additional funds to complete an initial business combination, and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on terms acceptable or at all. |
| If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the Public Shareholders 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of 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. In the event of a liquidation, holders of our Founder Shares and Private Shares will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares and Private Shares. |
8
| Q. | A. | |
| Why is the Company proposing the Extension Proposal? |
As described in the prospectus for our IPO, we had up to February 8, 2026 (or May 8, 2026 if we had executed a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for an initial business combination by February 8, 2026 but had not consummated a transaction by that date) to consummate an initial business combination. As previously disclosed and as discussed in more detail in our public filings, on November 12, 2025, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for its initial business combination with Einride, thereby providing the Company with the additional three months (until May 8, 2026) to consummate such transaction. The Company is still in the process of attempting to consummate such transaction and there may not be sufficient time to do so before May 8, 2026. Without the Extension, if we are unable to complete a business combination on or before May 8, 2026, we would be precluded from completing an initial business combination and, among other things, would be required to cease all operations and ultimately liquidate and dissolve the Company.
Accordingly, our Board is proposing the Extension Proposal to amend the Existing Memorandum and Articles in the manner set forth herein, to allow the Board to extend the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (or until August 8, 2026), unless the closing of a business combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that the Insiders lend to the Company $0.03 per Public Share outstanding on such date for each month extension utilized to consummate an initial business combination.
Each Contribution will be deposited in the trust account on or prior to the beginning of the subsequent monthly extension. The Insiders will not make any Contributions unless the Extension Amendment is approved and the Extension effectuated. The Contributions will not bear any interest and will be repayable by the Company to the lender upon consummation of a business combination. The loans will be forgiven if the Company is unable to consummate a business combination except to the extent of any funds held outside of the Company’s trust account.
We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the applicable monthly deadline announcing whether or not the necessary funds had been timely deposited. If we have not made the Contribution within 30 days of the end of each month during the extended period, we will dissolve and liquidate as described herein. |
| Q | A. | |
| Why should I vote “FOR” the Extension Proposal? |
Our Existing Memorandum and Articles provide that if our shareholders approve an amendment of our Existing Memorandum and Articles modifying the timing of our obligation to redeem all of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial business combination before the then current termination date, we will provide our Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon such approval 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses and net of taxes paid or payable, divided by the number of the then outstanding Public Shares. |
9
|
As described above, we may need more time to consummate our initial business combination with Einride. Accordingly, our Board believes such circumstances warrant providing the Company with additional time, if necessary, to complete the business combination, particularly since we are also affording shareholders who wish to redeem their Public Shares the opportunity to do so.
Whether a holder of Public Shares votes in favor of or against the Extension Proposal or does not vote at all, if such proposal is approved, the holder may, but is not required to, redeem all or a portion of its Public Shares for 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares.
Liquidation of the Trust Account is a fundamental obligation of the Company to the Public Shareholders and we are not proposing and will not propose to change that obligation to the Public Shareholders.
Accordingly, our Board recommends that you vote in favor of the Extension Proposal. |
| Q. | A. | |
| Why should I vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal? |
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our shareholders, our Board may not be able to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates in the event that we need more time to approve the Extension Proposal.
If presented, our Board recommends that you vote in favor of the Adjournment Proposal. |
| Q. | A. | |
| How do the Company officers and directors intend to vote their shares? |
Our officers and directors beneficially own an aggregate of 4,356,475 ordinary shares. Such shares represent approximately 16.3% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. We have been informed that they intend to vote their shares in favor of the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.
In addition, the Insiders may purchase Public Shares in privately negotiated transactions or in the open market prior to or following the Extraordinary General Meeting, although they are under no obligation to do so. Such Public Shares purchased by the Insiders would be (a) purchased at a price no higher than the redemption price for the Public Shares, which is currently estimated to be approximately $[●] per share and (b) would not be (i) voted by the Insiders at the extraordinary general meeting or (ii) redeemable by the Insiders. However, they have no current commitments, plans or intentions to engage in such transactions and have not formulated any terms or conditions for any such transactions. None of the funds in the Trust Account will be used to purchase Public Shares in such transactions. Any such purchases that are completed after the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting may include an agreement with a selling shareholder that such shareholder, for so long as it remains the record holder of the shares in question, will vote in favor of the Extension Proposal and/or will not exercise its redemption rights with respect to the shares so purchased subject to applicable securities laws. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to reduce the number of Public Shares that are redeemed. In the event that such purchases do occur, the purchasers may seek to purchase shares from shareholders who would otherwise have elected to redeem their Public Shares for a portion of the Trust Account. None of the Insiders may make any such purchases when they are in possession of any material non-public information not disclosed to the seller or during a restricted period under Regulation M under the Exchange Act or other federal securities law. |
10
|
The Insiders may also enter into transactions with investors and others to provide them with incentives to reverse any redemption requests. While the nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options and the transfer to such investors of our securities for nominal value. We would file a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the material terms of any purchases or arrangements made by any of the Insiders, such as the purchase price or incentives agreed to, the impact, if any, on the likelihood of approval of the Extension Proposal and the identities or nature/type of the sellers of the shares if not purchased in the open market. However, any shares purchased by the foregoing individuals and entities would not be voted on the Extension Proposal. There is no assurance that purchases will be able to be made in compliance with applicable securities laws and as a result, they may not be able to make any such purchases. |
| Q. | A. | |
| What vote is required to adopt the Extension Proposal? | The approval of the Extension Proposal requires a special resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. | |
| Q. | A. | |
| What vote is required to approve the Adjournment Proposal? | The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. | |
| Q. | A. | |
| What if I do not want to vote “FOR” the Extension Amendment? |
If you do not want the Extension Amendment to be approved, you must vote “AGAINST” such proposal. If the Extension Proposal is approved, and the Extension is implemented, then the Withdrawal Amount will be withdrawn from the Trust Account and paid pro rata to the redeeming holders. You will still be entitled to make the Election if you vote against, abstain or do not vote on the Extension Proposal.
Broker “non-votes” and abstentions will count towards the quorum requirement for the Extraordinary General Meeting but will have no effect with respect to the approval of the Proposals (i.e., it will be treated as neither a vote “for” nor “against” any matter and will not be counted when calculating the votes cast).
If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the Adjournment Proposal will not be presented for a vote. |
11
| Q. | A. | |
| What happens if the Extension Proposal is not approved? |
If our shareholders do not approve the Extension Proposal, the Board will not be allowed to effectuate the Extension. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, 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.
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. In the event of a liquidation, holders of our Founder Shares and Private Shares will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares and Private Shares. |
| Q. | A. | |
| If the Extension Proposal is approved, what happens next? |
We will continue our efforts to complete our initial business combination with Einride. Upon approval of the Extension Proposal by the requisite number of votes, the Extension will become effective. We will remain a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and our Public Units, Public Shares and the warrants contained in the Public Units (the “Public Warrants”) will remain publicly traded.
Pursuant to the Extension Proposal, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account will reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of our ordinary shares held by the Insiders as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares and Private Shares.
If the Extension Proposal is approved but we do not complete a business combination by the Extended Date or any Contribution required to be made is not so made as described herein, we 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 released to us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the each case to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. We cannot assure you that the per share distribution from the Trust Account, if we liquidate, will not be reduced due to unforeseen claims of creditors. |
12
| Q. | A. | |
| Will you seek any further extensions to consummate a business combination? | The Company may seek further extensions to consummate an initial business combination if the Board determines doing so would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. | |
| Q. | A. | |
| If I do not exercise my redemption rights now, would I still be able to exercise my redemption rights in connection with our proposed business combination? | Yes. Unless you elect to redeem your shares at this time, you will be able to exercise redemption rights in respect of the proposed business combination with Einride or any other future initial business combination, subject to any limitations set forth in our Existing Memorandum and Articles. |
|
Q. How do I change my vote? |
A. You may change your vote by sending a later-dated, signed proxy card to our Proxy Solicitor at 7 Penn Plaza, New York, New York 10001, so that it is received prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting or by attending the Extraordinary General Meeting virtually and voting. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to the same address, which must be received by our Secretary prior to the Extraordinary General Meeting. | |
| Please note, however, that if on the record date your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, custodian bank, or other nominee then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. If your shares are held in street name, and you wish to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, you must bring to the Extraordinary General Meeting a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares, confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares and giving you the right to vote your shares. |
|
Q. How are votes counted? |
A. Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Extraordinary General Meeting, who will separately count “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. The Extension Amendment Proposal must be approved by a special resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Accordingly, a shareholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote virtually at the Extraordinary General Meeting means that such shareholder’s ordinary shares will not count towards the quorum requirement for the Extraordinary General Meeting and will not be voted. An abstention or broker non-vote will be counted towards the quorum requirement but will not count as a vote cast at the Extraordinary General Meeting. | |
|
Q. If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker automatically vote them for me? |
A. No. Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, your broker, bank, or nominee cannot vote your shares with respect to non-discretionary matters unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures provided to you by your broker, bank, or nominee. We believe all the proposals presented to the shareholders will be considered non-discretionary and therefore your broker, bank, or nominee cannot vote your shares without your instruction. Your bank, broker, or other nominee can vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with directions you provide. If your shares are held by your broker as your nominee, which we refer to as being held in “street name,” you may need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. |
13
|
Q. What is a quorum requirement? |
A. A quorum of our shareholders is necessary to hold a valid Extraordinary General Meeting. A quorum will be present at the Extraordinary General Meeting if a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares entitled to vote at such meeting being individual present in person (including virtually) or by proxy or if a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorized representative or proxy. As of the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting, the holders of at least 12,899,688 ordinary shares would be required to achieve a quorum.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement, but will not count as a vote cast at the Extraordinary General Meeting. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting has power to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting. |
|
Q. Who can vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting? |
A. Only holders of record of our ordinary shares at the close of business on March 30, 2026, are entitled to have their vote counted at the Extraordinary General Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. On this record date, 25,799,375 ordinary shares were outstanding and entitled to vote.
Shareholder of Record / Shares Registered in Your Name. If on the record date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, then you are a shareholder of record. As a shareholder of record, you may vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner / Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank. If on the record date your shares were held, not in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting which is being held virtually. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Extraordinary General Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. |
|
Q. What interests do the Company’s Insiders have in the approval of the proposals? |
A. Our Insiders have interests in the proposals that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include ownership of Founder Shares and Private Shares and the possibility of future compensatory arrangements. | |
|
Q. Do I have appraisal or dissenters’ rights if I object to the Extension Proposal? |
A. Our shareholders do not have appraisal or dissenters’ rights in connection with the Extension Proposal under Cayman Islands law. |
14
|
Q. What do I need to do now? |
A. We urge you to read carefully and consider the information contained in this Proxy Statement, and to consider how the proposals 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. |
|
Q. How do I vote? |
A. If you are a holder of record of our ordinary shares, you may vote virtually at the Extraordinary General Meeting or by submitting a proxy for the Extraordinary General Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting virtually, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may submit your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope. You may still attend the Extraordinary General Meeting and vote at the meeting if you have already voted by proxy.
If your ordinary 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 are also invited to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Extraordinary General Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent. | |
|
Q. How do I redeem my ordinary shares in connection with the Extension?
|
A. Each of our Public Shareholders who (i) holds Public Shares or (ii) holds Public Shares as part of Units and elects to separate such Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising its redemption rights with respect to the ordinary shares may submit an election that, if the Extension is implemented, such Public Shareholder elects to redeem all or a portion of his ordinary shares at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned and not previously released to us (which interest shall be net of taxes paid or payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares.
Holders of Units must elect to separate the underlying ordinary shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the 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 ordinary shares and Public Warrants, or if a holder holds Units registered in its, his or her own name, the holder must contact Equiniti directly and instruct it to do so. Your broker, bank or other nominee may have an earlier deadline by which you must provide instructions to separate the Units into the underlying ordinary shares and Public Warrants in order to exercise redemption rights with respect to the ordinary shares, so you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary.
In order to tender your ordinary shares for redemption, you must elect either to physically tender your share certificates to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the Company’s transfer agent, at Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, at 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10005 Attn: _____________, or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent electronically using DTC’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, which election would likely be determined based on the manner in which you hold your shares. You should tender your ordinary shares in the manner described above prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May __, 2026, two business days before the Extraordinary General Meeting). |
15
|
Q. What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials? |
A. You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards, if your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. 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. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast a vote with respect to all of your shares. | |
|
Q. Who is paying for this proxy solicitation? |
A. We will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. We have engaged the Proxy Solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Extraordinary General Meeting. We have agreed to pay Proxy Solicitor a fee of $15,000 upon consummation of our initial business combination. We will also reimburse Proxy Solicitor for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify Proxy Solicitor and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. In addition to these mailed proxy materials, our directors and officers may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. These parties will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. |
|
Q. Who can help answer my questions? |
A. If you have questions about the proposals or if you need additional copies of the Proxy Statement or the enclosed proxy card you should contact our proxy solicitor:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. 7 Penn Plaza New York, New York 10001 Toll-free: (800) 322-2885 Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your ordinary shares, please contact:
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 E-mail: ________________
You may also obtain additional information about us from documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” |
16
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this Proxy Statement may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Proxy Statement may include, for example, statements about:
| ● | our ability to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our expectations around the performance of Einride or another target business following a business combination; | |
| ● | our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors following our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with our business or in approving our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our potential ability to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination; | |
| ● | our public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; | |
| ● | the lack of a market for our securities; | |
| ● | the use of proceeds not held in the trust account or available to us from interest income on the trust account balance; | |
| ● | the trust account possibly being subject to claims of third parties; or | |
| ● | our financial performance. |
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. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described below, as well as under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2025 and in other reports the Company files with the SEC. 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.
17
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully all of the risks described below as well as in our reports we file with the SEC. 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.
Risks related to the Extension Proposal
Approving the Extension Proposal involves a number of risks. Even if the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension is implemented, we can provide no assurances that an initial business combination will be consummated prior to the Extended Date. Our ability to consummate an initial business combination is dependent on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If the Extension Proposal is approved, we expect to seek shareholder approval of an initial business combination. We are required to offer shareholders the opportunity to redeem ordinary shares in connection with the Extension Proposal, and we will be required to offer shareholders redemption rights again in connection with any shareholder vote to approve our initial business combination. Even if the Extension Proposal or our initial business combination are approved by our shareholders, it is possible that redemptions will leave us with insufficient cash to consummate an initial business combination on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. The fact that we will have separate redemption periods in connection with the Extension Proposal and our initial 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 ordinary shares on the open market. The price of ordinary shares may be volatile, and there can be no assurance that shareholders will be able to dispose of ordinary shares at favorable prices, or at all.
Risks related to Potential Application of the Investment Company Act
As previously indicated, the Company completed its initial public offering in February 2024 and has operated as a blank check company searching for a target business with which to consummate an initial business combination since such time. Due to the length of time that we have been searching for a business combination, it is possible that a claim could be made that we have been operating as an unregistered investment company. It is also possible that the investment of funds from the IPO during our life as a blank check company, and the earning and use of interest from such investment, could increase the likelihood of us being found to have been operating as an unregistered investment company more than if we sought to potentially mitigate this risk by holding such funds as cash from the outset of our IPO. If the Company was deemed to be an investment company for purposes of the Investment Company Act and found to have been operating as an unregistered investment company, it could cause the Company to liquidate. If we are forced to liquidate, investors in the Company would not be able to participate in any benefits of owning stock in an operating business, including the potential appreciation of our stock following such a transaction and our warrants would expire worthless.
Risks related to redemptions
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 may adversely affect the liquidity of our ordinary shares. As a result, you may be unable to sell your 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.
18
Risks related to Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States by foreign persons in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States. The scope of CFIUS was expanded by the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (“FIRRMA”) to include certain non-passive, non-controlling investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and certain acquisitions of real estate even with no underlying U.S. business. FIRRMA and subsequent implementing regulations that are now in force also subject certain categories of investments to mandatory filings. If an initial business combination falls within the scope of foreign ownership restrictions, the Company may be unable to consummate such transaction.
In addition, if an initial business combination falls within CFIUS’s jurisdiction, the parties may be required to make a mandatory filing, determine to submit a voluntary notice to CFIUS, or proceed with the transaction without notifying CFIUS and then bear the risk of CFIUS intervention, before or after closing the transaction. CFIUS may decide to block or delay the business combination or impose conditions to mitigate national security concerns with respect to such business combination if the parties proceeded without first obtaining CFIUS clearance.
The foreign ownership limitations, and the potential impact of CFIUS, may limit the attractiveness of any business combination. Moreover, the process of government review, whether by CFIUS or otherwise, could be lengthy. Failure to obtain any required approvals within the requisite time period may prevent the parties from completing the business combination and require the Company to liquidate. If the Company liquidates, the Company’s warrants will expire worthless and Public Shareholders may lose the potential investment opportunity in a combined company and the opportunity of realizing future gains on the securities of the combined company through any price appreciation in the combined company.
Risks related to Einride Business Combination
We face risks and uncertainties with respect to our proposed business combination with Einride. [Such risks and uncertainties are described in detail in the proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination filed with the SEC on _________, 2026.] [Such risks and uncertainties will be described in detail in the proxy statement relating to the proposed business combination when such proxy statement becomes available.]
Risks related to Conflicts of Interest
The Insiders have interests in the proposals that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include ownership of Founder Shares and Private Shares and the possibility of future compensatory arrangements. See the section below titled “The Extraordinary General Meeting – Interests of our Insiders” for further information relating to such interests.
19
BACKGROUND
We are a blank check company incorporated on November 6, 2023 in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company, for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
On February 8, 2024, we consummated our IPO of 20,125,000 units, including 2,625,000 units subject to the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one Ordinary Share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Ordinary Share for $11.50. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $201,250,000.
Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO, we consummated the private placement of an aggregate of 555,625 Private Placement Units at a price of $10.00 per Private Placement Unit, generating total proceeds of $5,556,250. The Private Placement Units were purchased by our shareholders prior to the IPO and the underwriters in the IPO. The Private Placement Units are identical to the units sold in the IPO.
On November 12, 2025, we entered into a definitive agreement with Einride pursuant to which we will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Einride on the closing of such transaction. For additional information regarding Einride, the definitive agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, see the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 12, 2025, [the registration statement on Form F-4 filed by Einride and the Company relating to the transaction, as filed with the SEC on ________, 2026,] as well as other filings made by the Company with the SEC.
As of April __, 2026, there was approximately $____ million in the Trust Account.
Our principal executive offices are located at 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10017 and our telephone number is (212) 319-7676.
20
PROPOSAL 1 - THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL
The Extension Proposal
We are proposing to amend the Existing Memorandum and Articles, in the manner set forth below, to allow the Board to extend the date by which we have to consummate a business combination on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (or until August 8, 2026), unless the closing of a business combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that the Insiders lend to the Company $0.03 per Public Share outstanding on such date for each month extension utilized to consummate an initial business combination, which Contributions shall be deposited by the Company into the Trust Account and thereby increase the per-share redemption price paid in connection with the ultimate consummation of a business combination or the Company’s liquidation. Each Contribution will be deposited in the trust account on or prior to the beginning of the subsequent monthly extension. The Insiders will not make any Contributions unless the Extension Amendment is approved and the Extension effectuated. The Contributions will not bear any interest and will be repayable by the Company to the lender upon consummation of a business combination. The loans will be forgiven if the Company is unable to consummate a business combination except to the extent of any funds held outside of the Company’s trust account.
The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow us more time, if necessary, to complete our business combination. As described above, on November 12, 2025, we entered into the definitive agreement with Einride and since such time, we have been seeking to consummate such transaction. However, we may not have sufficient time to consummate such transaction before May 8, 2026. Without the Extension, if we are unable to complete the business combination on or before May 8, 2026, we would be precluded from completing an initial business combination and, among other things, would be required to cease all operations and ultimately liquidate and dissolve the Company
If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, then, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, 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.
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. In the event of a liquidation, holders of our Founder Shares, including the Insiders, and Private Shares will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares and Private Shares.
The Board’s Reasons for the Extension Proposal
Our Existing Memorandum and Articles provide that if our shareholders approve an amendment to modify the substance of timing of the Company’s obligation to allow redemption in connection with an initial business combination or redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by the Deadline Date or such later date as approved by our shareholders, we will provide our Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their ordinary shares upon such approval at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest not previously released to us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses and net of any additional taxes payable, divided by the number of the then outstanding Public Shares. This provision of the Existing Memorandum and Articles was included to protect our shareholders from having to sustain their investments for an unreasonably long period if we failed to find a suitable business combination in the timeframe originally contemplated by the Existing Memorandum and Articles.
The purpose of the Extension Proposal is to allow us more time, if necessary, to complete our business combination as described above.
21
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO VOTE ON OUR BUSINESS COMBINATION WITH EINRIDE AT THIS TIME. If the Extension Proposal is implemented and you do not elect to redeem your Public Shares now, you will retain the right to vote on the business combination when it is submitted to shareholders, and the right to redeem your Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event the business combination is approved and completed (as long as your election is made in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company in effect prior to the meeting at which the shareholders’ vote is sought) or the Company has not consummated a business combination by the Extended Date. If the Extension Proposal is not approved, we may not be able to consummate our business combination.
If the Extension Proposal is Not Approved
Our Board will abandon the Extension if our shareholders do not approve the Extension Proposal. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination by May 8, 2026, as contemplated by our IPO prospectus and in accordance with our Existing Memorandum and Articles, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, liquidate and dissolve, subject in each case to our obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of 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. In the event of a liquidation, holders of our Founder Shares and Private Shares will not receive any monies held in the Trust Account as a result of their ownership of the Founder Shares and Private Shares.
If the Extension Proposal is Approved
We will continue our efforts to complete an initial business combination by the Extended Date. Upon approval of the Extension Proposal, the Extension will become effective. We will remain a reporting company under the Exchange Act, and our units, Public Shares and Public Warrants will remain publicly traded.
We will file a Current Report on Form 8-K promptly after the applicable monthly deadline announcing whether or not the necessary funds had been timely deposited.
If the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension is implemented, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account in connection with the Elections will reduce the amount held in the Trust Account. We cannot predict the amount that will remain in the Trust Account if the Extension Proposal is approved and the amount remaining in the Trust Account may be only a small fraction of the approximately $____ million that was in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026. In such event, we may need to obtain additional funds to complete an initial business combination, and there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on terms acceptable or at all.
22
If the Extension Proposal is approved but we do not complete a business combination by the Extended Date or any Contribution required to be made is not so made as described herein, we 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 us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then Public Shares in issue, 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 our remaining shareholders and our Board, 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. We cannot assure you that the per share distribution from the Trust Account, if we liquidate, will not be reduced due to unforeseen claims of creditors.
Full text of the Resolution
“RESOLVED as a special resolution that:
| (a) | Article 48.7 of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company as adopted by special resolution dated 5 February 2024 with effect from 5 February 2024 (the Existing Memorandum and Articles) be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 48.7: |
| “48.7 |
The Company has until 8 May 2026 to consummate a Business Combination, provided however that if the Board of Directors anticipates that the Company may not be able to consummate a Business Combination by 8 May 2026, the Company may, by Resolution of Directors, extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination on a monthly basis, up to three (3) months (up to 8 August 2026) (the “Extended Date”) to complete a Business Combination, unless the closing of a Business Combination shall have occurred prior thereto or such earlier date as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that Einride AB or another mutually agreed upon third party on behalf of Einride AB or the Company, including but not limited to each of their respective officers, directors, affiliates or designees (collectively, the “Insiders”) lend to the Company (each a “Contribution”) $0.03 per Public Share outstanding on such monthly date for each month utilized to consummate an Business Combination, which Contributions shall be deposited by the Company into the Trust Account. In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by the relevant Extended Date (subject to all monthly extensions having been validly made in each case) or such later time as the Members of the Company may approve in accordance with these Articles, the Company shall: |
| (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 the Company to pay taxes and trust administration expenses, if any, divided by the number of the Public Shares then in issue, which redemption will completely extinguish public Members’ rights as Members (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 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 in all cases subject to the other requirements of Applicable Law. If the Company shall wind up for any other reason prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company shall, as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, follow the foregoing procedures set out in this Article 48.7 with respect to the liquidation of the Trust Account, subject to its obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of Applicable Law.”
23
| (b) | Article 48.8 of the Existing Memorandum and Articles be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following new Article 48.8: |
| “48.8 | In the event that any amendment is made to these Articles prior to a Business Combination (an “Amendment”): |
| (a) | that would modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to provide holders of Public Shares the right to: |
| (i) | have their shares redeemed or repurchased in connection with a Business Combination pursuant to the Articles; or | |
| (ii) | redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the relevant Extended Date (subject to all monthly extensions having been validly made in each case); or |
| (b) | with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of Public Shares (excluding any Public Shares held by Founders), |
each holder of Public Shares who is not a Founder, Officer or director shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares upon the approval of any such amendment (an “Amendment Redemption”) at 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 approval of any such amendment, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account not previously released to the Company to pay income taxes, if any, divided by the number of Public Shares then in issue.”
Vote Required for Approval
The Extension Proposal must be approved by a special resolution under the Existing Memorandum and Articles, being a resolution passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Accordingly, a shareholder’s failure to vote by proxy or vote in person (including virtually) on the Extension Proposal means that such shareholder’s shares will not count towards the quorum requirement for the Extraordinary General Meeting and will not be voted. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will not have any effect on voting on the proposals presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Recommendation of the Board
OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL.
24
PROPOSAL 2 - THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Overview
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow our Board to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates if necessary to approve the Extension Proposal.
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our shareholders, our Board may not be able to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date in the event that we need additional time to approve either the Extension Proposal.
Full Text of the Resolution
“RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution, that, in the event that it is determined that additional time is necessary to solicit further votes to approve the Extension Proposal, the chairman of the Extraordinary General Meeting be directed and authorized to adjourn such meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company and Cayman Islands law to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies.”
Vote Required for Approval
The approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires an ordinary resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders who, being present in person (including virtually) or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Accordingly, a shareholder’s failure to vote by proxy or vote in person (including virtually) on the Adjournment Proposal means that such shareholder’s shares will not count towards the quorum requirement for the Extraordinary General Meeting and will not be voted. An abstention or broker non-vote will be counted towards the quorum requirement but will not have any effect on voting on the proposals presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting.
Recommendation of the Board
IF PRESENTED, OUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
25
THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
Date, Time and Place. The Extraordinary General Meeting of our shareholders will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May __, 2026, virtually, at https://www.______, or at such other time, on such other date and at such other place at which the meeting may be adjourned or postponed.
Voting Power; Record Date. You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the Extraordinary General Meeting, if you owned the ordinary shares at the close of business on March 30, 2026, the record date for the Extraordinary General Meeting. You will have one vote per proposal for each ordinary share you owned at that time. The Company rights do not carry voting rights.
On the record date of the Extraordinary General Meeting, there were 25,799,375 ordinary shares outstanding.
If you do not want the Extension Proposal to be approved, you must vote “AGAINST” the proposal. If the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension is implemented, then the Withdrawal Amount will be withdrawn from the Trust Account and paid pro rata to the redeeming holders. You will still be entitled to make the Election if you vote against, abstain or do not vote on the Extension Proposal.
Proxies; Board Solicitation; Proxy Solicitor. Your proxy is being solicited by our Board on the proposal to approve the Extension Proposal being presented to shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting. We have engaged Proxy Solicitor to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Extraordinary General Meeting. No recommendation is being made as to whether you should elect to redeem your shares. Proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone. If you grant a proxy, you may still revoke your proxy and vote your shares at the Extraordinary General Meeting if you are a holder of record of the ordinary shares. You may contact Proxy Solicitor at:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
7 Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10001
Toll-free: (800) 322-2885
Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Interests of our Insiders
When you consider the recommendation of our Board, you should keep in mind that our directors, officers and their affiliates have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include, among other things, the interests listed below:
| ● | If the Extension Proposal is not approved and we do not consummate a business combination, the 5,031,250 Founder Shares which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 and the 455,000 Private Shares which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $4,550,000 will be worthless (as the holders of the Founder Shares and Private Shares have waived liquidation rights with respect to such securities). Such ordinary shares would have a value of approximately $54.9 million assuming a price of $10.00 per share. | |
| ● | All rights specified in the Existing Memorandum and Articles relating to the right of officers and directors to be indemnified by the Company, and of the Company’s officers and directors to be exculpated from monetary liability with respect to prior acts or omissions, will continue after a business combination. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and the Company liquidates, the Company will not be able to fulfill its obligations to its officers and directors under those provisions. |
26
| ● | The Company’s officers, directors and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on the Company’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and a business combination is not consummated, these out-of-pocket expenses will not be repaid unless there are funds available outside of the trust account. | |
| ● | If the Trust Account is liquidated, including in the event we are unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, Crescendo Advisors LLC, an affiliate of Eric Rosenfeld, the Company’s Chief SPAC Officer, has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to us, or a prospective target business with which we have entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per public share and (ii) the actual amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per public share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. |
Additionally, if the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension is implemented and the Company consummates the business combination with Einride, the officers and directors may have additional interests that will be described in the proxy statement for such transaction.
Redemption Rights
Each of our Public Shareholders who (a) holds Public Shares or (b) holds Public Shares as part of Public Units and elect to separate such Public Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares may submit an election that such Public Shareholder elects to redeem all or a portion of their 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 and not previously released to us to pay our taxes and trust administration expenses (which interest shall be net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares.
TO DEMAND REDEMPTION, PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME ON MAY __, 2026, TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING, YOU SHOULD ELECT EITHER TO PHYSICALLY TENDER YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES TO EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, LLC OR TO DELIVER YOUR SHARES TO THE TRANSFER AGENT ELECTRONICALLY USING DTC’S DWAC (DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN), AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT YOUR BANK OR BROKER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED ELSEWHERE HEREIN.
Holders of Public Units must elect to separate the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares. If holders hold their Public Units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank that they elect to separate the Public Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants, or if a holder holds Public Units registered in its, his or her own name, the holder must contact Equiniti directly and instruct it to do so. Your broker, bank or other nominee may have an earlier deadline by which you must provide instructions to separate the Public Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants in order to exercise redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares, so you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary.
In order to tender your ordinary shares for redemption, you must elect either to physically tender your share certificates to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the Company’s transfer agent, at 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10005, Email: ______________, or to deliver your shares to the transfer agent electronically using DTC’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system, which election would likely be determined based on the manner in which you hold your shares. You should tender your ordinary shares in the manner described above prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May __, 2026, two business days before the Extraordinary General Meeting.
27
Through the DWAC system, this electronic delivery process can be accomplished by the shareholder, whether or not it is a record holder or its shares are held in “street name,” by contacting the transfer agent or its broker and requesting delivery of its shares through the DWAC system. Delivering shares physically may take significantly longer. In order to obtain a physical share certificate, a shareholder’s broker and/or clearing broker, DTC, and our transfer agent will need to act together to facilitate this request. There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $100 and the broker would determine whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. It is our understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. We do not have any control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, and it may take longer than two weeks to obtain a physical share certificate. Such shareholders will have less time to make their investment decision than those shareholders that deliver their shares through the DWAC system. Shareholders who request physical share certificates and wish to redeem may be unable to meet the deadline for tendering their shares before exercising their redemption rights and thus will be unable to redeem their shares.
Certificates that have not been tendered in accordance with these procedures prior to the vote on the Extension Proposal at the Extraordinary General Meeting will not be redeemed for cash held in the Trust Account on the redemption date. In the event that a Public Shareholder tenders its shares and decides that it does not want to redeem its shares, the shareholder may withdraw the tender at any time until the vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting (or after the vote with our consent). If you delivered your ordinary shares for redemption to our transfer agent and decide prior to the vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting not to redeem your shares, you may request that our transfer agent return the shares (physically or electronically). You may make such request by contacting our transfer agent at the address listed above. In the event that a Public Shareholder tenders shares and the Extension Proposal is not approved, these shares will not be redeemed and the physical certificates representing these shares will be returned to the shareholder promptly following the determination that the Extension Proposal will not be approved. The transfer agent will hold the certificates of Public Shareholders that make the Election until such shares are redeemed for cash or returned to such shareholders.
If properly demanded, we will redeem each public share for a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned not previously released to us for taxes and trust administration expenses (net of taxes payable), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares. Based upon the amount in the Trust Account as of April __, 2026, the most recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, which was approximately $____ million, we anticipate that the per-share price at which Public Shares will be redeemed from cash held in the Trust Account will be approximately $____ at the time of the Extraordinary General Meeting.
If you exercise your redemption rights, you will be exchanging your ordinary shares for cash and will no longer own the shares. You will be entitled to receive cash for these shares only if you properly demand redemption and tender your share certificate(s) to our transfer agent prior to the vote on the Extension Proposal at the Extraordinary General Meeting. We anticipate that a Public Shareholder who tenders ordinary shares for redemption in connection with the vote to approve the Extension Proposal would receive payment of the redemption price for such shares soon after the Extraordinary General Meeting.
28
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR SHAREHOLDERS EXERCISING REDEMPTION RIGHTS
The following discussion is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that elect to have their Public Shares redeemed for cash if the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved. This discussion assumes that the Public Shares and Public Warrants are treated as separate instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the separation of units into the Public Shares and Public Warrants underlying the units generally should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This position is not free from doubt, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a contrary position. Holders of units are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by the Extension Amendment (including any redemption of the Public Shares in connection therewith) with respect to any Public Shares held through the units (including alternative characterizations of the units).
This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as estate or gift taxes, the alternative minimum tax, nor does it address any aspects of U.S. state or local or non-U.S. taxation.
This summary does not discuss all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their individual circumstances, such as investors subject to special tax rules including:
| ● | Our initial shareholders; | |
| ● | banks, financial institutions, or financial services entities; | |
| ● | broker-dealers; | |
| ● | taxpayers that are subject to the mark-to-market accounting rules; | |
| ● | tax-exempt entities; | |
| ● | S-corporations; | |
| ● | Governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; | |
| ● | Insurance companies; | |
| ● | Regulated investment companies; | |
| ● | Real estate investment trusts; | |
| ● | Expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; | |
| ● | Persons that actually or constructively own five percent or more 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 or in connection with services; |
| ● | persons that hold our securities as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated or similar transaction; or | |
| ● | U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
29
In addition, this discussion is limited to investors who or that hold our securities as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment) under the Code.
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 U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. Partnerships holding our securities and partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors.
We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, any rulings from the IRS as to any U.S. federal income tax considerations described herein. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take positions inconsistent with the considerations discussed below or that any such positions would not be sustained by a court. Moreover, there can be no assurance that future legislation, regulations, administrative rulings or court decisions will not adversely affect the accuracy of the statements in this discussion.
WE URGE HOLDERS OF OUR PUBLIC SHARES CONTEMPLATING THE EXERCISE OF THEIR REDEMPTION RIGHTS TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES THEREOF.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders
This section is addressed to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of our Public Shares that elect to have their shares of the Company redeemed for cash if the Extension is implemented (a “Redeeming U.S. Holder”).
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our securities who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an individual who is a United States citizen or resident of the United States as determined for United States federal income tax purposes; | |
| ● | a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; | |
| ● | an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or | |
| ● | a trust (A) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons (within the meaning of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has in effect a valid election under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
Redemption of Shares
The balance of the discussion under this heading is subject in its entirety to the discussion below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.” If we are considered a “passive foreign investment company” for United States federal income tax purposes (which we will likely be, unless a “start-up” exception applies), then the tax consequences of the redemption will be as described in that discussion.
30
Subject to the preceding, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a Redeeming U.S. Holder of Public Shares who or that exercises their redemption rights will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale or exchange of the Public Shares under Section 302 of the Code (rather than as a corporate distribution). Whether a redemption of Public Shares qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total amount of shares in the Company treated as held by the Redeemed U.S. Holder before and after the redemption (including any shares constructively owned by the Redeemed U.S. Holder as a result of owning rights) relative to all of the shares of the Company outstanding before and after the redemption. A Redeeming U.S. Holder will generally be considered to have sold or exchanged its shares in a taxable transaction and recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the redemption and such shareholder’s adjusted basis in the shares exchanged if the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s ownership of shares is completely terminated or if the redemption meets certain other tests described below. Special constructive ownership rules apply in determining whether a Redeeming U.S. Holder’s ownership of shares is treated as completely terminated (and in general, such Redeeming U.S. Holder may not be considered to have completely terminated its interest if it continues to hold our rights). There will be a complete termination of a Redeeming U.S. Holder’s interest if either (1) all of the shares in the Company actually and constructively owned by such Redeeming U.S. Holder are redeemed or (2) all of the shares in the Company actually owned by the Redeeming U.S. Holder are redeemed and such 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 the Company (including any shares constructively owned by the U.S. Holder as a result of owning rights). A Redeeming U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Public Shares generally will equal the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost (that is, the portion of the purchase price of a unit allocated to a public share) less any prior distributions treated as a return of capital.
Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period of such shares is more than one year at the time of the exchange. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights associated with our shares may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. If the running of the holding period is suspended, it is possible that the holding period of such shares may not be considered to begin until the date of such redemption (and thus it is possible that long-term capital gain or loss treatment may not apply to shares redeemed in the redemption). Shareholders who hold different blocks of shares (generally, shares purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices) should consult their tax advisors to determine how the above rules apply to them.
The redemption of Public Shares generally will be treated as a sale or exchange of the Public Shares (rather than as a corporate distribution) if, within the meaning of Section 302 of the Code, such redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the Redeeming 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. In determining whether the redemption is substantially disproportionate or not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a Redeeming U.S. Holder, that Redeeming U.S. Holder is deemed to own not just shares actually owned but also any shares such U.S. Holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, (which generally would include shares which could be acquired upon the automatic conversion of the rights), and in some cases, shares owned by certain family members, certain estates and trusts of which the Redeeming U.S. Holder is a beneficiary, and certain affiliated entities.
Generally, the redemption will be “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the Redeeming U.S. Holder if (i) the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s percentage ownership of the outstanding voting shares (including all classes which carry voting rights) of the Company is reduced immediately after the redemption to less than 80% of the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s percentage interest in such shares immediately before the redemption; (ii) the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s percentage ownership of the outstanding shares (both voting and nonvoting) immediately after the redemption is reduced to less than 80% of such percentage ownership immediately before the redemption; and (iii) the Redeeming U.S. Holder owns, immediately after the redemption, less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company entitled to vote. Whether the redemption will be considered “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to a Redeeming U.S. Holder will depend upon the particular circumstances of that U.S. Holder. At a minimum, however, the redemption must result in a meaningful reduction in the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s actual or constructive percentage ownership of the Company. 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.”
31
If none of the redemption tests described above are satisfied, the redemption will be treated as a distribution with respect to the shares, in which case the Redeeming U.S. Holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution under Section 301 of the Code. If you are a corporate U.S. Holder, the amount treated as a dividend paid by us will be taxable to you 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. If the redemption is treated as a corporate distribution under Section 301 of the Code, such distribution generally will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Provided that we are not treated as a PFIC, as discussed in Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” below, with certain exceptions (including, but not limited to, dividends treated as investment income for purposes of investment interest deduction limitations), and provided certain holding period requirements are met, dividends paid to a non-corporate Redeeming U.S. Holder generally may constitute “qualified dividends” that will be subject to tax at the applicable tax rate accorded to long-term capital gains. However, it is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares described in this proxy statement may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income.
Any distribution in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a non-taxable return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Redeeming U.S. Holder’s shares remaining Public Shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of such Redeeming U.S. Holder’s Public Shares. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the Redeeming U.S. Holder in the redeemed Public Shares will be added to the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining Public Shares, or, if it has none, to the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the rights or possibly in other shares constructively owned by it.
As these rules are complex, U.S. Holders of shares considering exercising their redemption rights should consult their own tax advisors as to whether the redemption will be treated as a sale or as a distribution under the Code.
Certain Redeeming U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts are subject to a 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income” or “undistributed net investment income” (as applicable), which may include all or a portion of their capital gain or dividend income from their redemption of shares. Redeeming U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the net investment income tax.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
A non-U.S. corporation (i.e. a Cayman Islands company) will be a passive foreign investment company (or “PFIC”) for U.S. tax purposes if 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. Alternatively, a foreign corporation will be a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets in a taxable year of the foreign corporation, 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 have met the PFIC asset or income test beginning with our initial taxable year. However, pursuant to a start-up exception, a corporation will not be a PFIC for the first taxable year the corporation has gross income, if (1) no predecessor of the corporation was a PFIC; (2) the corporation satisfies the IRS that it will not be a PFIC for either of the first two taxable years following the start-up year; and (3) the corporation is not in fact a PFIC for either of those years. The actual PFIC status of the Company for its current taxable year or any subsequent taxable year will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. If we do not satisfy the start-up exception, we will likely be considered a PFIC since our date of formation, and will continue to be treated as a PFIC until we no longer satisfy the PFIC tests (although, as stated below, in general the PFIC rules would continue to apply to any U.S. Holder who held our securities at any time that we were considered to be a PFIC).
32
If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a Redeeming U.S. Holder of our shares or rights and, in the case of our shares, the Redeeming U.S. Holder did not make either a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the Redeeming U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) shares or a timely “mark-to-market” election, in each case as described below, such holder generally will be subject to special rules with respect to:
| ● | any gain recognized by the Redeeming U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of its shares or rights (which would include the redemption, if such redemption is treated as a sale under the rules discussed above, under the heading “Redemption of Shares”); and | |
| ● | any “excess distribution” made to the Redeeming U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to such Redeeming U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the Redeeming U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by such Redeeming U.S. Holder in respect of the shares during the three preceding taxable years of such Redeeming U.S. Holder or, if shorter, such Redeeming U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares), which may include the redemption to the extent such redemption is treated as a distribution under the rules discussed above. |
Under these special rules:
| ● | any gain or “excess distribution” will be allocated ratably over the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares or rights; | |
| ● | the amount allocated to the Redeeming U.S. Holder’s taxable year in which the Redeeming U.S. Holder recognized the gain or received the excess distribution, or to the period in the Redeeming 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 Redeeming 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 Redeeming U.S. Holder; and | |
| ● | An additional tax equal to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such other taxable year of the Redeeming U.S. Holder. |
In general, if we are determined to be a PFIC, a Redeeming U.S. Holder may avoid the PFIC tax consequences described above in respect to our shares (but not our rights) by making a timely 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 Redeeming U.S. Holder in which or with which our taxable year ends. In general, a QEF election must be made on or before the due date (including extensions) for filing such Redeeming U.S. Holder’s tax return for the taxable year for which the election relates. A Redeeming U.S. Holder 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.
A Redeeming U.S. Holder may not make a QEF election with respect to its rights to acquire our shares. As a result, if a Redeeming U.S. Holder sells or otherwise disposes of such rights (other than upon exercise or conversion of such rights), any gain recognized generally will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above, if we were a PFIC at any time during the period the Redeeming U.S. Holder held the rights. If a Redeeming U.S. Holder that exercises such rights, or where such rights have been converted, properly makes a QEF election with respect to the newly acquired shares (or has previously made a QEF election with respect to our shares), the QEF election will apply to the newly acquired shares, but the adverse tax consequences relating to PFIC shares, adjusted to take into account the current income inclusions resulting from the QEF election, will continue to apply with respect to such newly acquired shares (which generally will be deemed to have a holding period for purposes of the PFIC rules that includes the period the Redeeming U.S. Holder held the rights), unless the Redeeming U.S. Holder makes a purging election. The purging election creates a deemed sale of such shares at their fair market value. The gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the Redeeming U.S. Holder will have a new basis and holding period in the shares acquired upon the exercise of the rights for purposes of the PFIC rules.
33
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 QEF election may not be made with respect to our rights. A Redeeming U.S. Holder generally makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 (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 U.S. 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. Redeeming U.S. Holders should consult their own 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 Redeeming U.S. Holder must receive a PFIC annual information statement from us. If we determine we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will endeavor to provide to a Redeeming U.S. Holder such information as the IRS may require, including a PFIC annual information statement, in order to enable the Redeeming U.S. Holder to make and maintain a QEF election. However, there is 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 Redeeming U.S. Holder has made a QEF election with respect to our shares, and the special tax and interest charge rules do not apply to such shares (because of a timely QEF election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the Redeeming U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) such shares or a purge of the PFIC taint pursuant to a purging election, as described above), any gain recognized on the sale of our shares generally will be taxable as capital gain and no interest charge will be imposed. As discussed above, Redeeming U.S. Holders of a QEF are currently taxed on their pro rata shares of its earnings and profits, whether or not distributed. In such case, a subsequent distribution of such earnings and profits that were previously included in income generally should not be taxable as a dividend to such Redeeming U.S. Holders. The tax basis of a Redeeming 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. Similar basis adjustments apply to property if by reason of holding such property the Redeeming U.S. Holder is treated under the applicable attribution rules as owning shares in a QEF.
Although a determination as to our PFIC status will be made annually, a determination that we are a PFIC for any particular year generally will apply for subsequent years to a Redeeming U.S. Holder who held shares or rights while we were a PFIC, whether or not we meet the test for PFIC status in those subsequent years. A Redeeming U.S. Holder who makes the QEF election discussed above for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the Redeeming U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares and receives the requisite PFIC annual information statement, however, will not be subject to the PFIC tax and interest charge rules discussed above in respect to such shares. In addition, such Redeeming U.S. Holder will not be subject to the QEF inclusion regime with respect to such shares for any taxable year of ours that ends within or with a taxable year of the Redeeming U.S. Holder and in which we are not a PFIC. On the other hand, if the QEF election is not effective for each of our taxable years in which we are a PFIC and the Redeeming U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) our shares, the PFIC rules discussed above will continue to apply to such shares unless the holder makes a purging election, as described above, and pays the tax and interest charge with respect to the gain inherent in such shares attributable to the pre-QEF election period.
Alternatively, if a Redeeming U.S. Holder, at the close of its taxable year, owns shares in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, the Redeeming U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election with respect to such shares for such taxable year. If the Redeeming U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election for the first taxable year of the Redeeming U.S. Holder in which the Redeeming U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, such holder generally will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above in respect of its shares. Instead, in general, the Redeeming U.S. Holder will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its shares at the end of its taxable year over the adjusted basis in its shares. The Redeeming U.S. Holder also will be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of its shares over the fair market value of its shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). The Redeeming U.S. Holder’s basis in its 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 the shares will be treated as ordinary income. Currently, a mark-to-market election may not be made with respect to our rights.
The mark-to-market election is available only for stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the New York Stock Exchange, 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. Redeeming 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 shares under their particular circumstances.
34
The application of the PFIC rules is extremely complex. Shareholders who are considering participating in the redemption and/or selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of their shares, and/or rights should consult with their tax advisors concerning the application of the PFIC rules in their particular circumstances.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders
This section is addressed to Non-U.S. Holders of our securities who or that elect to have their Public Shares of the Company redeemed for cash (“Redeeming Non-U.S. Holders”). For purposes of this discussion, a “Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership) that so redeems its shares of the Company and is not a U.S. Holder.
Any Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any capital gain recognized as a result of the redemption unless:
| ● | such shareholder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the redemption takes place and certain other conditions are met; or | |
| ● | such shareholder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and any gain recognized in the exchange is treated as effectively connected with such trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such holder in the United States), in which case the Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to the same treatment as a Redeeming U.S. Holder with respect to the exchange, and a corporate Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty). |
With respect to any redemption treated as a dividend rather than a sale, such dividend will not be subject to United States federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States). Dividends that are effectively connected with the Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at the same regular United States federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. Holder and, in the case of a Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our securities may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible United States backup withholding. However, backup withholding will not apply to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. A Redeeming Non-U.S. Holder generally will eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a holder’s United States federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
As previously noted above, the foregoing discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences is included for general information purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice to any shareholder. We once again urge you to consult with your own tax adviser to determine the particular tax consequences to you (including the application and effect of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax laws) of the proposals described in this proxy statement and the exercise of redemption rights in connection therewith.
35
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of April __, 2026 held by:
| ● | each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares; |
| ● | each of our officers and directors; and | |
| ● | all of 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 shares beneficially owned by them. The following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the Public Warrants or the warrants contained in the Private Placement Units as such warrants may not be exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof.
| Name and address of beneficial owner(1) | Amount and nature of beneficial ownership |
Approximate percentage of outstanding Ordinary Shares |
||||||
| Eric S. Rosenfeld | 1,854,275 | (2) | 7.2 | % | ||||
| Gregory Monahan | 840,044 | 3.3 | % | |||||
| David D. Sgro | 25,000 | * | % | |||||
| Adam Jaffe | 631,569 | (3)(4) | 2.4 | % | ||||
| Adam Semler | 30,000 | (5) | * | % | ||||
| Brian Pratt | 1,160,000 | 4.5 | % | |||||
| John Ing | 150,000 | (6) | * | % | ||||
| All officers and directors as a group (seven individuals) | 4,316,475 | 16.7 | % | |||||
| Karpus Investment Management | 3,495,104 | (7) | 13.6 | % | ||||
| First Trust Capital Management L.P. | 1,927,713 | (8) | 7.5 | % | ||||
| Wealthspring Capital LLC | 1,671,295 | (9) | 6.5 | % | ||||
| Barclays PLC | 1,434,783 | (10) | 5.6 | % | ||||
| * | Less than one percent. |
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is c/o Legato Merger Corp. III, 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10017. |
| (2) | Includes 1,150,000 shares held in Mr. Rosenfeld’s self managed IRA. |
| (3) | Includes shares held by two trusts established for Mr. Rosenfeld’s children. Mr. Jaffe is the trustee of these trusts and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by such trusts. |
| (4) | Includes 200,000 shares held by Mr. Jaffe’s Roth IRA. |
| (5) | Represents shares held by Triple J Holdings II, LLC, an affiliate of Mr. Semler. |
| (6) | Represents shares held by The Mont Blanc Investment Corporation, an affiliate of Mr. Ing. |
| (7) | Represents shares held by Karpus Management, Inc., d/b/a Karpus Investment Management. The business address of Karpus is 183 Sully’s Trail, Pittsford, New York 14534. The information is derived from a Schedule 13G/A filed on August 14, 2025. |
36
| (8) | Represents shares held by First Trust Capital Management LP (“FTCM”). FTCM is 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 First Trust Merger Arbitrage Fund (ii) and Highland Capital Management Institutional Fund II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Client Accounts”). 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 Company) 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 Company’s Ordinary Shares held in the Client Accounts. First Trust Capital Solutions L.P. (“FTCS”) and FTCS Sub GP LLC (“Sub GP”) may be deemed to control FTCM and therefore may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the Ordinary Shares. No one individual controls FTCS or Sub GP. FTCS and Sub GP do not own any Ordinary Shares of the Company for their own accounts. The business address of the foregoing entities is 225 W. Wacker Drive, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60606. The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed on November 14, 2024. |
| (9) | Represents shares held by Wealthspring Capital LLC. Matthew Simpson is a manager of Wealthspring. The business address of Wealthspring and Mr. Simpson is 2 Westchester Park Drive, Suite 108, West Harrison, NY 10604. The information is derived from a Schedule 13G filed on November 14, 2024. |
| (10) | The business address of Barclays PLC is 1 Churchill Place, London, E145HP. The information is derived from a Schedule 13G/A filed on March 21, 2025. |
Our initial shareholders have agreed, subject to applicable securities laws, (A) to vote any shares owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination, (B) not to redeem any Founder Shares or Private Shares in connection with a shareholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination and (C) to waive liquidation rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Private Shares.
37
HOUSEHOLDING INFORMATION
Unless we have received contrary instructions, we may send a single copy of this Proxy Statement to any household at which two or more shareholders reside if we believe 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 our expenses. However, if shareholders prefer to receive multiple sets of our 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 our 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 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10017, to inform us of the shareholder’s 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
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You can read our SEC filings, including this Proxy Statement, at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
If you would like additional copies of this Proxy Statement or if you have questions about the proposals to be presented at the Extraordinary General Meeting, you should contact our proxy solicitation agent at the following address and telephone number:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
7 Penn Plaza
New York, New York 10001
Toll-free: (800) 322-2885
Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
You may also obtain these documents by requesting them in writing from us by addressing such request to our Secretary at 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
If you are a shareholder of the Company and would like to request documents, please do so by April __, 2026 in order to receive them before the Extraordinary General Meeting. If you request any documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means.
38
PRELIMINARY PROXY
LEGATO MERGER CORP. III
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
10:00 AM EASTERN TIME
MAY __, 2026
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
LEGATO MERGER CORP. III
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON
MAY __, 2026
The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement, dated April __, 2026, in connection with the special meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on May __, 2026, virtually, at https://www.______, and hereby appoints Greg Monahan, Eric Rosenfeld and Adam Jaffe the attorney and proxy of the undersigned, with power of substitution, to vote all ordinary shares of Legato Merger Corp. III (the “Company”) registered in the name provided, which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the special meeting of shareholders, and at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would have if personally present. Without limiting the general authorization hereby given, said proxies are, and each of them is, instructed to vote or act as follows on the proposals set forth in the accompanying proxy statement. Unless otherwise specified, all capitalized terms shall have the same meanings as those defined in the Notice and Proxy Statement.
THIS PROXY, WHEN EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL (PROPOSAL 1) AND “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL (PROPOSAL 2), IF PRESENTED.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL PROPOSALS.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on May __, 2026: This notice of meeting and the accompany proxy statement are available at https://www.______.
| Proposal 1 — Extension Proposal | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | |||
| A proposal to amend the Company’s existing Memorandum and Articles of Association to allow for the board of directors of the Company to extend the date by which the Company must consummate a business combination, in the manner and as provided for in the Proxy Statement. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
|
Proposal 2 — Adjournment Proposal |
FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAIN | |||
| A proposal to adjourn the Extraordinary General Meeting to a later date or dates, if the Company determines that additional time is necessary to approve the Extension Proposal. | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dated: ________________________, 2026 | |
| Shareholder’s Signature | |
| Shareholder’s Signature |
Signature should agree with name printed hereon. If share is held in the name of more than one person, EACH joint owner should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, and attorneys should indicate the capacity in which they sign. Attorneys should submit powers of attorney.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED TO MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL SET FORTH IN PROPOSAL 1 AND “FOR” THE PROPOSAL SET FORTH IN PROPOSAL 2, IF SUCH PROPOSAL IS PRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, AND WILL GRANT DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.
FAQ
What is Legato Merger Corp. III (LEGT) asking shareholders to approve?
How do redemption rights work if I hold LEGT Public Shares?
What happens if the Extension is not approved for LEGT?
Who benefits from the Insider Contributions tied to the Extension?
What vote thresholds are required for the Extension and Adjournment proposals?
How many shares and what insider holdings does LEGT disclose?