Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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References in this report (the “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to Mercury Ecommerce Acquisition Corp. References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and
directors, and references to the “Sponsor” refer to Mercury Sponsor Group I LLC. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed financial
statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the
Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and
similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently
available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of the Company’s final prospectus for its Initial Public Offering (as defined below) filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We are a blank check company incorporated on March 1, 2021 as a Delaware corporation and formed for the purpose of effectuating a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or
similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this Quarterly Report as our “initial business combination”. We intend to effectuate our initial business combination using cash from the proceeds of our
initial business combination and the private placement of the private placement warrants, the proceeds of the sale of our shares in connection with our initial business combination (pursuant to forward purchase agreements or backstop agreements
we may enter into following the consummation of the Initial Public Offering or otherwise), shares issued to the owners of the target, debt issued to bank or other lenders or the owners of the target, or a combination of the foregoing.
Results of Operations
We have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. Our only activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and for the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021
were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for our initial public offering, described below. We do not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our initial business combination. We generate
non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash and cash equivalents held after our initial public offering. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance),
as well as due diligence expenses.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had net income of $1,671,654, which resulted from gains on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,873,651, unrealized gains on investments held in the
Trust Account of $53,063, and realized gains on investments held in the Trust Account of $18,428, partially offset by formation and operating costs of $222,890 and franchise tax expense of $50,598. The gain on the change in fair value of warrant
liabilities was due in large part to the decrease in the publicly traded price of the public warrants.
For the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021, we had a net loss of $11,768, which resulted entirely from formation and operating costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On July 30, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering of 17,500,000 units generating gross proceeds to the Company of $175,000,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the initial public offering, we
completed the private sale of 7,850,000 warrants to the Sponsor at a purchase price of $1.00 per warrant (the “private placement warrants”), generating gross proceeds of $7,850,000. The proceeds from the sale of the private placement warrants
were added to the net proceeds from our initial public offering held in a trust account (the “trust account”). If we do not complete an initial business combination within 24 months from the closing of our initial public offering, the proceeds
from the sale of the private placement warrants will be used to fund the redemption of the public shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the private placement warrants will expire worthless.
We had granted the underwriter in our initial public offering a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 20, 2021, the underwriter partially exercised
the over-allotment option and purchased an additional 541,500 units, generating gross proceeds of $5,415,000, and incurred $108,300 in cash underwriting fees and $189,525 that will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting
commissions. Simultaneously with the underwriter partially exercising the over-allotment option, our sponsor purchased an additional 162,450 private placement warrants (the “over-allotment private placement warrants”) at a price of $1.00 per
over-allotment private placement warrant ($162,450 in the aggregate).
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $446,749, which was due to the change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $1,873,651, changes in working capital of $173,261,
unrealized gain on investments held in Trust Account of $53,063, and realized gain on investments held in Trust Account of $18,428 partially offset by our net income of $1,671,654.
For the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $968, which was due our net loss of $11,768, partially offset by changes in working capital of
$10,800.
For the period from March 1, 2021 (inception) through March 31, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $16,357, which was due to the proceeds from the promissory note - related party of $60,000 and the
proceeds from the sale of Class B common stock to our sponsor of 25,000, partially offset by the payment of deferred offering costs of $68,643.
As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had cash of $395,310 and $842,059 held outside the trust account, respectively. We intend to use the funds held outside the trust account primarily to identify and
evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate
documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.
In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with an intended initial business combination, our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor or certain of our officers and
directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete our initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that our initial business combination does not close, we may use a
portion of the working capital held outside the trust account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our trust account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants, at a price of
$1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the private placement warrants, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period. The terms of such loans by our officers and directors, if any,
have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. We do not expect to seek loans from parties other than our sponsor or an affiliate of our sponsor as we do not believe third parties will be willing to loan such
funds and provide a waiver against any and all rights to seek access to funds in our trust account.
We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans. We may have insufficient funds available to operate our business prior to our initial business combination.
Moreover, we may need to obtain additional financing to complete our initial business combination, either because the transaction requires more cash than is available from the proceeds held in our trust account or because we become obligated to
redeem a significant number of our public shares upon completion of our initial business combination, in which case we may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such business combination, which may include a specified
future issuance. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, we would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of our initial business combination. If we are unable to complete our initial business combination
because we do not have sufficient funds available to us, we will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the trust account. In addition, following our initial business combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, we may need to obtain
additional financing in order to meet our obligations.
Contractual Obligations
Underwriting Agreement
We granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional units to cover over-allotments at our initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. On August 20,
2021, the underwriter partially exercised the over-allotment option to purchase an additional 541,500 units at an offering price of $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $5,415,000.
The underwriter was paid a cash underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $3,608,300 in the aggregate, upon the closing of our initial public offering and partial exercise of the over-allotment option. In
addition, $0.35 per unit, or $6,314,525 in the aggregate will be payable to the underwriter for deferred underwriting commissions. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriter from the amounts held in the trust account solely in the
event that we complete an initial business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of condensed financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could
materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies.
Warrant Liabilities
We account for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Accounting Standards
Codification 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The
assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under
ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to our own common stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as
of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
Upon initial measurement as of July 30, 2021, we utilized a binomial/lattice model to value the public warrants and private placement warrants. The estimated fair value upon the initial measurement of the warrant
liabilities as of July 30, 2021, was determined using Level 3 inputs. We estimated volatility based on research on comparable companies with the same type of warrants along with the implied volatilities shortly after they start trading. The
risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants was assumed to be equivalent to their
remaining contractual term. The dividend rate was based on the historical rate, which we anticipated to remain at zero. After the public warrants were separately listed and traded in September 2021, since both public warrants and private
placement warrants are subject to the make-whole table, the private placement warrants have the same value as the public warrants and the public trading price is used.
The following table provides the significant unobservable inputs used in the binomial/lattice model for the initial valuation of the public warrants and private placement warrants as of July 30, 2021:
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As of July 30, 2021
(Initial
Measurement)
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Stock price
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$
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9.47
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Exercise price
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$
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11.50
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Dividend yield
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—
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%
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Expected term (in years)
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5.5
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Volatility
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20.0
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%
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Risk-free rate
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0.80
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%
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Fair value
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$
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0.95
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Transfers to/from Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value of the public warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 1 fair value measurement in
September 2021 after the public warrants were separately listed and traded. The estimated fair value of the private placement warrants transferred from a Level 3 measurement to a Level 2 fair value measurement in September 2021 due to the use of
an observable market quote for a similar asset in an active market.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 2 of the accompanying condensed financial statements.
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures.
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Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2022, due to the restatement of our July 30,
2021 balance sheet (the “restatement”) related to the classification of redeemable Class A Shares, which combined, constitutes a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
Regarding the restatement of the Company’s balance sheet included on our Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 6, 2021 and August 26, 2021, certain redemption provisions not solely within the control of the
Company require common stock subject to redemption to be classified outside of permanent equity. We had previously classified a portion of the Class A common stock in permanent equity. We restated our financial statements to classify all Class A
common stock as temporary equity and any related impact, as the threshold in its charter would not change the nature of the underlying shares as redeemable and thus would be required to be disclosed outside of permanent equity. Additionally, due
to the requirement to record additional deferred offering costs to be recorded for the excess fair value of the founder shares sold over the purchase price, we have determined that the misstatement of the balance sheet as of July 30, 2021 was
material based on quantitative criteria.
It was noted that the non-cash adjustments to the financial statements did not impact the amounts previously reported for our cash and cash equivalents or total assets. In light of this material weakness, we
performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our audited annual financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Other than the implementation of the remediation activities regarding the restatement of our July 30, 2021 balance sheet, during the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there has been no change in our internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management has
enhanced our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our condensed financial statements. Our updated
processes include providing enhanced access to accounting literature, research materials and documents and increased communication among our personnel and third-party professionals with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications.
The elements of our remediation plan can only be accomplished over time, and we can offer no assurance that these initiatives will ultimately have the intended effects.