Proxy Statement - Notice of Shareholders Meeting (preliminary) (pre 14a)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

G SQUARED ASCEND II INC.

(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 all boxes that apply):

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No fee required

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 12, 2023

G SQUARED ASCEND II INC.
205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 3770
Chicago, IL 60601

NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON [•]

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
G Squared Ascend II Inc.:

You are cordially invited to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting (the “General Meeting”) of G Squared Ascend II Inc. (the “Company,” “Ascend II,” “we,” “us” or “our”) to be held at [•] ET on June , 2023. For the purposes of the memorandum and articles of association of Ascend II, the physical place of the meeting will be at the offices of Goodwin Procter LLP, 601 Marshal Street, Redwood City, CA 94063. Shareholders of the Company will also be able to attend the General Meeting virtually at: [•].

The General Meeting will be held for the purpose of considering and voting on (i) an extension proposal to amend, by way of a special resolution, the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which Ascend II has to consummate an initial business combination and (ii) an adjournment proposal to adjourn the General Meeting at a later date, if necessary, under certain circumstances.

A further description and the full text of both proposals and resolutions is below.

The Extension Proposal

•

The Extension Proposal — to consider and vote upon a proposal by the following special resolution to amend (the “Extension Proposal”) the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (together, the “Existing Charter”) to extend from June 17, 2023 (the “Original Termination Date’) to December 17, 2023 (the “Extended Date”), the date (the “Termination Date”) by which, if the Company has not consummated a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company, with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), the Company must (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Class A ordinary shares sold in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Public Shares”); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders 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.

The full text of the Extension Proposal is as follows:

“RESOLVED, as a special resolution, that the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended by the deletion of the existing Articles 38.8, 38.9, and 38.11 in their entirety and the insertion of the following language in their place:

38.8 In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination by December 17, 2023 (the “Extension Date”), or such later time as the Members of the Company may approve in accordance with these Articles, the Company shall:

(a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up;

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

(c) 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 38.8 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.

38.9 In the event that any amendment is made to these Articles:

(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 Articles 38.2(b) or 38.6; or

(ii) redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Extension Date pursuant to Article 38.8; or

(b) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of Public Shares, 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, 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.

38.9 In the event that any amendment is made to these Articles:

(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 Articles 38.2(b) or 38.6; or

(ii)

redeem 100% of the Public Shares if the Company has not consummated an initial Business Combination by the Extension Date pursuant to Article 38.8; or

(b)

with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of Public Shares, 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, 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.

38.11 After the issue of Public Shares (including pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option), and prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the directors shall not issue additional Shares or any other securities that would entitle the holders thereof to:

(a)

receive funds from the Trust Account; or

(b)

vote as a class with the Public Shares:

(i)

on a Business Combination or on any other proposal presented to Members prior to or in connection with the completion of a Business Combination; or

(ii)

to approve an amendment to these Articles to:

(A)

extend the time the Company has to consummate a Business Combination beyond the Extension Date (as the Extension Date may be extended in accordance with these Articles); or

(B)

amend the foregoing provisions of these Articles.

Such amendment above is referred to herein as the “Extension Amendment”.

The Adjournment Proposal

•

The Adjournment Proposal — to consider and vote upon a proposal (the “Adjournment Proposal”) by the following ordinary resolution to approve the adjournment of the General Meeting by the chair thereof to a later date, if necessary, under certain circumstances, to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of approving the Extension Proposal, to amend the Extension Proposal, or to allow reasonable additional time for the filing or mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosure that the Company has determined in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel is required under applicable law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by the Company’s shareholders prior to the General Meeting; provided that the General Meeting is reconvened as promptly as practical thereafter. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented at the General Meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Extension Proposal.

The full text of the Adjournment Proposal is as follows:

“RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution, that the adjournment of the extraordinary general meeting to a time and place to be confirmed by the chair of the extraordinary general meeting be ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.”

The purpose of the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal is to allow the Company additional time to complete its initial Business Combination.

Upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”), $145,187,500 was placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. government securities. There is uncertainty under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) whether certain special purpose acquisition companies, or “SPACs,” with Trust Account assets held in securities, that do not consummate an initial Business Combination within 24 months after the effective date the SPAC’s IPO registration statement, would fall under the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act. Ascend II’s IPO registration statement became effective on June 14, 2021. Due to this uncertainty, if the Extension Proposal is approved, Ascend II intends to liquidate, prior to June 14, 2023, the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to maintain the funds in the trust account in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank.

Your attention is directed to the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the General Meeting.

The Company’s Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 19, 2023 as the date for determining the Company’s shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the General Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only holders of record of the Company’s ordinary shares on that date are entitled to have their votes counted at the General Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

After careful consideration of all relevant factors, the Company’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote or give instructions to vote (i) “FOR” the Extension Proposal; and (ii) “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

Enclosed is the proxy statement containing detailed information concerning the Extension Proposal, the Adjournment Proposal and the General Meeting. Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the General Meeting, we urge you to read this material carefully and vote your shares.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Ward Davis
Chief Executive Officer

[•], 2023

Your vote is important. Please sign, date, and return your proxy card as soon as possible but in any event so as to be received by [•] prior to the commencement of the General Meeting to make sure that your shares are represented at the General Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you may also cast your vote in person (including virtually) at the 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 in person (including virtually) at the 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 have no effect on the outcome of the proposals.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on June , 2023: This notice of meeting, the accompany proxy statement, proxy card and annual report are available at [•].

G SQUARED ASCEND II INC.
205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 3770
Chicago, IL 60601

PROXY STATEMENT

G Squared Ascend II Inc. (the “Company,” “Ascend II,” “we,” “us” or “our”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, is providing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) of proxies to be voted at the Extraordinary General Meeting (the “General Meeting”) to be held [•] ET on June , 2023. For the purposes of the memorandum and articles of association of Ascend II, the physical place of the meeting will be at the offices of Goodwin Procter LLP, 601 Marshal Street, Redwood City, CA 94063. Shareholders of the Company will also be able to attend the General Meeting virtually at: [•].

The General Meeting will be held for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following proposals and resolutions:

•

The proposed amendment to the Existing Charter pursuant to the Extension Proposal is referred to herein as the “Extension Amendment”.

The purpose of the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal is to allow the Company additional time to complete an initial Business Combination. The Company’s prospectus for its initial public offering (“IPO”) and its Existing Charter provide that the Company has until June 17, 2023 to complete an initial Business Combination

If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Company would have until December 17, 2023 to consummate an initial Business Combination, which is a total of up to 30 months from the consummation of the Company’s IPO, without the requirement that additional cash be deposited into the Trust Account.

Upon the closing of the Company’s IPO, $145,187,500 was placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”) located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee and invested only in U.S. government securities. There is uncertainty under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) whether certain special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) with Trust Account assets held in securities that do not consummate an initial Business Combination

within 24 months after the effective date of the SPAC’s IPO registration statement would fall under the definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act. Ascend II’s IPO registration statement became effective on June 14, 2021. Due to this uncertainty, prior to June 14, 2023, Ascend II intends to liquidate the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the Trust Account and thereafter to maintain the funds in the Trust Account in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank.

The Board has fixed the close of business on May 19, 2023 as the record date for determining the Company’s shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the General Meeting and any adjournment thereof (the “Record Date”). On the Record Date, there were 17,968,750 outstanding ordinary shares of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”), consisting of 3,593,750 outstanding Class B ordinary shares of the Company and 14,375,000 Class A ordinary shares of the Company. The Company’s warrants do not have voting rights. Only holders of record of the Company’s Ordinary Shares on the Record Date are entitled to have their votes counted at the General Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

This proxy statement contains important information about the General Meeting, the Extension Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal. Please read it carefully and vote your shares.

This proxy statement is dated [•] and, together with the proxy card, is first being mailed to shareholders on or about that date.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 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 carefully read the entire document, including the annexes to this proxy statement.

What is being voted on?

You are being asked to consider and vote upon (A) a proposal by special resolution to amend the Company’s Existing Charter (such amendment, the “Extension Amendment”) to extend from June 17, 2023 to December 17, 2023, the date (the “Termination Date”) by which, if the Company has not consummated a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company, with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), the Company must: (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Class A ordinary shares sold in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Public Shares”); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders 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.

Why is the Company proposing the Extension Proposal?

The Company is a blank check company incorporated on February 12, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company. We were incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar Business Combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial Business Combination. On June 14, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 14,375,000 units, including 1,875,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $143,750,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with G Squared Ascend Management II, LLC (the “Sponsor”) of 5,341,667 warrants (the “Private Warrants”), generating gross proceeds of $8,012,500. As of June 17, 2021, a total of $145,187,500 ($10.10 per Public Share) of the net proceeds from the IPO and the Private Placement were deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) established for the benefit of the persons holding Public Shares, located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the assets held in the Trust Account. If the Extension Proposal is approved, Ascend II intends to liquidate, prior to June 14, 2023, the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to maintain the funds in the trust account in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank.

Our Existing Charter provides for the return of the IPO proceeds held in the Trust Account to the holders of Public Shares if there is no qualifying initial Business Combination(s) consummated on or before June 17, 2023. If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Company would have until December 17, 2023 to consummate an initial Business Combination, which is a total of up to 30 months from the consummation of the Company’s IPO, without the requirement that additional cash be deposited into the Trust Account.

The Company believes that given its expenditure of time, effort, and money searching for a potential initial Business Combination opportunity, the holders of Public Shares of the Company should be given an opportunity to consider and vote on an initial Business Combination. We do not believe that we will have sufficient time to consummate an initial Business Combination prior to June 17, 2023. Therefore, we are seeking approval of the Extension Proposal.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that it is in the best interests of the shareholders to amend the terms by which the Company may continue the Company’s existence in order to allow the Company more time to complete an initial Business Combination. Accordingly, the Board is proposing the Extension Proposal.

YOU ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION AT THIS TIME. IF THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL IS APPROVED AND THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND YOU DO NOT ELECT TO REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES NOW, YOU WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION WHEN IT IS SUBMITTED TO SHAREHOLDERS AND THE RIGHT TO REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES FOR A PRO RATA PORTION OF THE TRUST ACCOUNT IN THE EVENT AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION IS APPROVED AND COMPLETED OR THE COMPANY HAS NOT CONSUMMATED AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION BY THE EXTENDED DATE (DECEMBER 17, 2023).

Why should I vote for the Extension Proposal?

The Board believes the Company’s shareholders will benefit from the Company consummating an initial Business Combination and is proposing the Extension Proposal to amend the terms by which the Company may extend the date by which the Company has to complete an initial Business Combination and would allow you as a shareholder the benefit of voting for an initial Business Combination and remaining a shareholder in the post-Business Combination company, if you desire.

Accordingly, we believe that the Extension Proposal is consistent with the spirit in which the Company offered its securities to the public in the IPO.

You will have redemption rights in connection with the Extension Proposal.

May I redeem my Public Shares in connection with the vote on the Extension Proposal?

Yes. Under our Existing Charter, the submission of a matter to amend our Existing Charter entitles the holders of Public Shares to redeem their shares for their pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account. Holders of Public Shares do not need to vote against the Extension Proposal or be a holder of record on the Record Date to exercise their redemption rights.

If the Extension Proposal is approved, with respect to holders’ right to redeem, the Company will (i) remove from the Trust Account an amount (the “Withdrawal Amount”) equal to the pro rata portion of funds available in the Trust Account relating to any Public Shares redeemed by holders in connection with the Extension Proposal, if any, and (ii) deliver to the holders of such redeemed Public Shares their pro rata portion of the Withdrawal Amount. The remainder of such funds shall remain in the Trust Account and be available for use by the Company to complete an initial Business Combination on or before the Extended Date. Holders of Public Shares who do not redeem their Public Shares now will retain their redemption rights and their ability to vote on an initial Business Combination.

Why is the Company proposing the Adjournment Proposal?

The Company is proposing the Adjournment Proposal to allow the Company more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the Extension Proposal, in the event that there are insufficient Ordinary Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct business at the General Meeting or at the time of the General Meeting to approve the Extension Proposal.

How do the Company’s executive officers, directors and affiliates intend to vote their shares?

All of the Company’s directors, executive officers and their respective affiliates, as well as the Sponsor, are expected to vote any Class A ordinary shares of the Company (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”) and Class B ordinary shares of the Company (the “Class B Ordinary Shares” and together with the Class A Ordinary Shares, the “Ordinary Shares”) over which they have voting control (including any Public Shares owned by them) in favor of the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.

Our Sponsor, executive officers and directors, and certain other individuals are not entitled to redeem such shares in connection with the Extension Proposal. On the Record Date, they held an aggregate of 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares representing in the aggregate approximately 20.0% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares. The Company’s Sponsor, directors and executive officers beneficially owned no Public Shares as of the Record Date, but may choose to purchase Public Shares in the open market and/or through negotiated private transactions after the date of this proxy statement. In the event that such purchases do occur, the purchasers may seek to purchase shares from shareholders who would otherwise have voted against the Extension Proposal and/or elected to redeem their shares. Any Public Shares so purchased will not be voted in favor of the Extension Proposal.

What vote is required to adopt the proposals?

Extension Proposal. The Extension Proposal must be approved by a special resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Ordinary Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting.

Adjournment Proposal. The Adjournment Proposal must be approved by an ordinary resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting.

What if I do not want to approve the Extension Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal?

If you do not want to approve the Extension Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal, you must vote against each proposal.

Will you seek any further extensions to liquidate the Trust Account?

Other than the extension until the Extended Date, as of the date of this proxy statement, we do not anticipate seeking any further extension to consummate an initial Business Combination, although we may determine to do so in the future, if necessary.

What happens if the Extension Proposal is not approved?

If the Extension Proposal is not approved at the General Meeting, we expect to take all necessary actions and hold additional general meetings until June [ ], 2023 to obtain the approval of the Extension Proposal. If the Extension Proposal is not approved by June [ ], 2023 and the Sponsor does not request that the Company extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination or the Board does not adopt a resolution to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, and we are unable to consummate an initial Business Combination prior to or on June [ ], 2023, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and dissolution pursuant to the terms of our Existing Charter. As a result, we will undergo a liquidation procedure under the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”). No vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such winding up, liquidation and dissolution under the terms of our Existing Charter. At such time, the Private Warrants will expire and our Sponsor will receive nothing upon a liquidation with respect to such Private Warrants, and the Private Warrants will be worthless.

The amount in the Trust Account (less approximately $[•] representing the aggregate nominal par value of the shares of our holders of Public Shares) under the Companies Act will be treated as a share premium which is distributable under the Companies Act, provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are forced to liquidate the Trust Account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our holders of Public Shares the amount in the Trust Account calculated as of the date that is two days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our holders of Public Shares with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot

assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the Trust Account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.

Our holders of shares as of immediately prior to our IPO, including our Sponsor, our executive officers and directors, and certain other individuals (our “Initial Shareholders”), have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation of our Trust Account or other assets with respect to the 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares held or controlled by our Initial Shareholders prior to the IPO (“Insider Shares” or “insider shares”). There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our Private Warrants, which will expire worthless.

If the Extension Proposal is approved, what happens next?

If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Company will continue to attempt to consummate an initial Business Combination until the Extended Date or the earlier date on which the Board otherwise determines in its sole discretion that it will not be able to consummate an initial Business Combination by the Extended Date, if applicable, and does not wish to seek an additional extension.

If the Extension Proposal is approved, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account, if any, will reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of Company shares held by the Company’s officers, directors and their affiliates.

Would I still be able to exercise my redemption rights in the future if I vote against any subsequently proposed Business Combination?

Unless you elect to redeem your shares in connection with this shareholder vote to approve the Extension Proposal, you will be able to vote on any initial Business Combination when it is submitted to shareholders. If you disagree with any initial Business Combination, you will retain your right to vote against it and/or redeem your Public Shares upon consummation of any initial Business Combination in connection with the shareholder vote to approve such initial Business Combination, subject to any limitations set forth in the Existing Charter.

How do I change my vote?

If you have submitted a proxy to vote your shares and wish to change your vote, or revoke your proxy, you may do so by delivering a later-dated, signed proxy card to Okapi Partners, the Company’s proxy solicitor, at [•], Toll-Free [•] or [•], Email: [•], prior to the commencement of the General Meeting.

How are votes counted?

The Company’s proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners, will be appointed as inspector of election for the meeting. Votes will be counted by the inspector of election, who will separately count “FOR” and “AGAINST” votes, abstentions, and broker non-votes.

Adjournment Proposal. The Adjournment Proposal must be approved by an ordinary resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary

Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting.

Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, are not treated as votes cast and will have no effect on the proposals. As a result, if you abstain from voting on any of the proposals, your shares will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum (if so present in accordance with the terms of our Existing Charter), but the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of such proposal.

If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or nominee, will they automatically vote my shares for me?

No. If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record holding shares for you, your shares will not be voted with respect to any proposal for which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. If a proposal is determined to be discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote on the proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. If a proposal is determined to be non-discretionary, your broker, bank or other holder of record is not permitted to vote on the proposal without receiving voting instructions from you. The Company believes that the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal will be considered non-discretionary and therefore your broker, bank or other holder of record holding your shares for you cannot vote your shares without your instruction on any of the proposals presented. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a non-discretionary proposal because the holder of record has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. As we do not believe that either of the Proposals is discretionary, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank of other holder of record, there will be no Proposals on which your shares may be voted. Accordingly, there may be no broker non-votes and your shares may not be counted for purposes of a quorum.

What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the General Meeting?

At the General Meeting, Ascend II will count a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to a particular proposal as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on any of the proposals.

If a shareholder who holds shares in “street name” does not give the broker voting instructions, the broker is not permitted under applicable self-regulatory organization rules to vote the shares on “non-routine” proposals, such as the Extension Proposal. These “broker non-votes” will also count as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on either of the Proposals. However, as we do not believe that either of the Proposals is discretionary, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other holder of record, there will be no Proposals on which your shares may be voted. Accordingly, there may be no broker non-votes and your shares may not be counted for purposes of a quorum.

What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote?

Signed and dated proxies received by Ascend II without an indication of how the shareholder intends to vote on a proposal will be voted as recommended by the Board.

If I am not going to attend the General Meeting, should I return my proxy card instead?

Yes. Whether you plan to attend the General Meeting virtually or not, please read the proxy statement carefully, and vote your shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided.

May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?

Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the General Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the previous one, or by voting again via the internet, or by submitting a written revocation stating that you would like to revoke your proxy that our proxy solicitor receives prior to the General Meeting. If you hold your Ordinary Shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee, you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm or nominee regarding the revocation of proxies. If you are a record holder, you should send any notice of revocation or your completed new proxy card, as the case may be, to:

[•]
[•]
Toll-Free [•] or [•]
Email: [•]

Unless revoked, a proxy will be voted at the General Meeting in accordance with the shareholder’s indicated instructions. In the absence of instructions, proxies which have been signed and returned will be voted FOR each of the Proposals.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. 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. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast your vote with respect to all of your shares.

What is a quorum requirement?

A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. Holders of a majority of the issued shares entitled to vote at the General Meeting, present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy, constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the General Meeting will either stand adjourned to the same day/time/place in the following week or will be adjourned to such other day/time/place as the Board decides. As of the Record Date for the General Meeting, 14,375,001 Ordinary Shares, in the aggregate, would be required to achieve a quorum.

Who can vote at the General Meeting?

Only holders of record of the Company’s Ordinary Shares at the close of business on May 19, 2023 are entitled to have their vote counted at the General Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. For the purposes of this Proxy Statement “holders of record” means the persons entered in the register of members of the Company as the holders of the relevant shares. On the Record Date, there were 17,968,750 outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company.

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, then you are a shareholder of record. As a shareholder of record, you may vote in person (including virtually) at the General Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the General Meeting virtually, 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 General Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the General Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

Does the Board recommend voting for the Extension Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal?

Yes. The Board recommends that the Company’s shareholders vote “FOR” the Extension Proposal and “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal.

What interests do the Company’s directors and officers have in the approval of the Extension Proposal?

The Company’s directors, officers and their affiliates have interests in the Extension Proposal that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include, but are not limited to, beneficial ownership of insider shares and Private Warrants that will become worthless if the Extension Proposal is not approved and the Sponsor does not request that the Company extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination or the Board does not adopt a resolution to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, and we are unable to consummate an initial Business Combination prior to or on June 17, 2023. See the section entitled “Interests of the Company’s Directors and Officers.”

What if I object to the Extension Proposal? Do I have appraisal or dissenters’ rights?

Company’s shareholder do not have appraisal rights in connection with the Extension Proposal. As a matter of Cayman Islands law, dissenters’ rights are only applicable in a statutory merger involving the Company, which is not the case with the Extension Proposal.

What do I need to do now?

You are urged 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 or, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, on the voting instruction form provided by the broker, bank or nominee.

How do I redeem my Ordinary Shares of the Company?

In connection with the General Meeting and the vote on the Extension Proposal, each holder of Public Shares may seek to redeem their shares for their pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, less any taxes we anticipate will be owed on such funds but have not yet been paid. Holders of Public Shares do not need to vote on the Extension Proposal or be a holder of record on the Record Date to exercise redemption rights.

To demand redemption, if you hold physical certificates for Ordinary Shares, you must physically tender your share certificates to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, at Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, One State Street Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004, Attn: [•], E-mail: [•], no later than two business days prior to the General Meeting. If you hold your Ordinary Shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you must tender or deliver your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company electronically using The Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System two business days prior to the General Meeting to demand redemption. You will only be entitled to receive cash in connection with a redemption of these shares if you continue to hold them until the effective date of the Extension Amendment.

Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies?

Ascend II will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the General Meeting. Ascend II has engaged Okapi Partners to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the General Meeting. Ascend II has agreed to pay [•] a fee of $[•], plus disbursements. Ascend II will reimburse [•] for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify [•] and its affiliates against certain claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses. Ascend II will also reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares and in obtaining voting instructions from those owners. Ascend II’s directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies by telephone, by facsimile, by mail, on the Internet or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have questions about the Proposals or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Ascend II’s proxy solicitor at:

Okapi Partners
Toll-Free [•] or [•]
Email: [•]

You may also obtain additional information about Ascend II from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our shareholders. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. Some of the statements contained in this proxy statement constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words or phrases. The cautionary language discussed in this proxy statement provides examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described by us in such forward-looking statements, including, among other things, claims by third parties against the Trust Account, unanticipated delays in the distribution of the funds from the Trust Account and the Company’s ability to finance and consummate a business combination following the distribution of funds from the Trust Account.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement and to consider the risks, uncertainties and events discussed in this proxy statement, in addition to the risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus related to the IPO dated June 14, 2021 and filed with the SEC on June 16, 2021 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) (File No. 333-253898), and the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on April 13, 2022 and April 14, 2023. The documents we file with the SEC, including those referred to above, also discuss some of the risks that could cause actual results to differ from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for additional information about our filings.

All forward-looking statements included herein attributable to the Company or any person acting on the Company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

BACKGROUND

The Company

Ascend II is a blank check company incorporated on February 12, 2021 as a Cayman Islands exempted company. We were incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to as our initial Business Combination. Our Business Combination and value creation strategy is to identify and complete our initial Business Combination with a growth-oriented, market-leading company in an industry that complements the collective investment experience and expertise of our management team, and to build long-term shareholder value.

On June 17, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering of 14,375,000 units, with each unit consisting of one Public Share and one-third of one redeemable warrant (“IPO”), including 1,875,000 units as a result of the underwriters’ full exercise of their over-allotment option, at an offering price of $10.00 per unit. Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) with G Squared Ascend Management II, LLC (the “Sponsor”) of 5,341,667 warrants (the “Private Warrants”), generating gross proceeds of approximately $8,012,500. Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, $145,187,500 ($10.10 per Public Share) of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement were placed in a trust account (“Trust Account”), located in the United States with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, and invested only in U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), with a maturity of 185 days or less or in any open-ended investment company that holds itself out as a money market fund selected by us meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) and (d)(4) of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of: (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the assets held in the Trust Account. If the Extension Proposal is approved, Ascend II intends to liquidate, prior to June 14, 2023, the U.S. government treasury obligations or money market funds held in the trust account and thereafter to maintain the funds in the trust account in cash in an interest-bearing demand deposit account at a bank.

The mailing address of our principal executive office is 205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 3770, Chicago, IL 60601. Our telephone number is (312) 552-7160.

PROPOSAL NO. 1
THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL

The Extension Proposal

The Company is proposing to amend its Existing Charter (such amendment, the “Extension Amendment”) to extend from June 17, 2023 (the “Original Termination Date’) to December 17, 2023 (the “Extended Date”), the date (the “Termination Date”) by which, if the Company has not consummated a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company, with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”), the Company must: (a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (b) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the shares sold in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Public Shares”); and (c) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders 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. The Extension Proposal is essential to the overall implementation of the Board’s plan to allow the Company more time to complete an initial Business Combination. Approval of the Extension Potential is a condition to the filing of the Extension Amendment. A copy of the Extension Amendment to the Existing Charter of the Company is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.

All holders of the Company’s Public Shares, whether they vote for or against the Extension Proposal or do not vote at all, will be permitted to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares into their pro rata portion of the Trust Account, provided that the Extension Proposal is approved. Holders of Public Shares do not need to be a holder of record on the Record Date in order to exercise redemption rights. If approved, we will not file the Extension Proposal if we do not have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Proposal, after taking into account the amount of redemptions, if any.

The per-share pro rata portion of the Trust Account on the Record Date after taking into account taxes owed but not paid by such date (which is expected to be the same approximate amount two business days prior to the General Meeting) was approximately $[•] per Public Share. The closing price of the Company’s Ordinary Shares on the Record Date was $[•]. The Company cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares.

Reasons for the Extension Proposal

The Company’s IPO prospectus and Existing Charter provide that the Company has until June 17, 2023 to complete an initial Business Combination. If the Extension Proposal is approved the Company would have until December 17, 2023 to consummate an initial Business Combination, which is a total of up to 30 months from the consummation of the Company’s IPO, without the requirement that additional cash be deposited into the Trust Account.

The Company believes that given its expenditure of time, effort, and money searching for a potential initial Business Combination opportunity, the holders of Public Shares of the Company should be given an opportunity to consider and vote on an initial Business Combination. Pursuant to the terms of the Existing Charter, the Company may not amend the Existing Charter to allow for a longer period of time to complete an initial Business Combination unless it provides holders of Public Shares with the right to seek redemption of their Public Shares in connection therewith.

If the Extension Proposal is Not Approved

to consummate any Business Combination prior to or on June [ ], 2023, it will trigger our automatic winding up, liquidation and dissolution pursuant to the terms of our Existing Charter. As a result, this has the same effect as if we had formally gone through a liquidation procedure under the Companies Act. Accordingly, no vote would be required from our shareholders to commence such winding up, liquidation and dissolution. At such time, the Private Warrants will expire and our Sponsor will receive nothing upon a liquidation with respect to such Private Warrants, and the Private Warrants will be worthless.

The amount in the Trust Account under the Companies Act (less approximately $[•] representing the aggregate nominal par value of the shares of our holders of Public Shares) will be treated as a share premium which is distributable under the Companies Act, provided that immediately following the date on which the proposed distribution is proposed to be made, we are able to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. If we are forced to liquidate the Trust Account, we anticipate that we would distribute to our holders of Public Shares the amount in the Trust Account calculated as of the date that is two days prior to the distribution date (including any accrued interest). Prior to such distribution, we would be required to assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us by our creditors for amounts they are actually owed and make provision for such amounts, as creditors take priority over our holders of Public Shares with respect to amounts that are owed to them. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such, our shareholders could potentially be liable for any claims of creditors to the extent of distributions received by them as an unlawful payment in the event we enter an insolvent liquidation. Furthermore, while we will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. Nor is there any guarantee that, even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the Trust Account or that a court would conclude that such agreements are legally enforceable.

Our Initial Shareholders, including our Sponsor, have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation of our Trust Account or other assets with respect to the Insider Shares. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to our Private Warrants, which will expire worthless.

If the Extension Proposal is Approved

If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Existing Charter will be amended as set forth in Annex A (the “Extension Amendment”) and the Company would have up to an additional six months after the Original Termination Date to consummate a potential Business Combination, until December 17, 2023, which is a total of up to 30 months from the consummation of the Company’s IPO to complete an initial Business Combination. The Company will continue to attempt to consummate an initial Business Combination until the Extended Date, if necessary, or until the Board determines in its sole discretion that it will not be able to consummate an initial Business Combination and does not wish to seek an additional extension. The Company will remain a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and its Ordinary Shares will remain publicly traded during the extension period.

YOU ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON ANY BUSINESS COMBINATION AT THIS TIME. IF THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL IS APPROVED AND THE EXTENSION AMENDMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE AND YOU DO NOT ELECT TO REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES NOW, YOU WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON ANY PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION WHEN AND IF IT IS SUBMITTED TO SHAREHOLDERS AND THE RIGHT TO REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES FOR A PRO RATA PORTION OF THE TRUST ACCOUNT IN THE EVENT SUCH PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION IS APPROVED AND COMPLETED.

Redemption Rights

If the Extension Proposal is approved, and the Extension Amendment becomes effective, each holder of Public Shares may seek to redeem its Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds available in the Trust Account, less any taxes we anticipate will be owed, but have not yet been paid, calculated as of two business days prior to the meeting. Holders of Public Shares do not need to vote on the Extension Proposal or be a holder of record on the Record Date to exercise redemption rights.

If the Extension Proposal is approved, the Company will (i) remove from the Trust Account an amount (the “Withdrawal Amount”) equal to the pro rata portion of funds available in the Trust Account relating to any Public Shares redeemed by holders in connection with the Extension Proposal, if any, and (ii) deliver to the holders of such redeemed Public Shares their pro rata portion of the Withdrawal Amount. The remainder of such funds shall remain in the Trust Account and be available for use by the Company to complete an initial Business Combination on or before the Extended Date. Holders of Public Shares who do not redeem their Public Shares now will retain their redemption rights and their ability to vote on an initial Business Combination through the Extended Date, if the Extension Proposal is approved and the Extension Amendment becomes effective.

If the Extension Proposal is approved, and the Extension Amendment becomes effective, the removal of the Withdrawal Amount from the Trust Account, if any, will reduce the Company’s net asset value. The Company 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 $[•] that was in the Trust Account as of the Record Date. However, we will not proceed if we do not have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets following approval of the Extension Proposal (after taking into account the redemption of Public Shares).

TO DEMAND REDEMPTION, IF YOU HOLD PHYSICAL CERTIFICATES FOR ORDINARY SHARES, YOU MUST PHYSICALLY TENDER YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES TO CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, THE COMPANY’S TRANSFER AGENT, AT CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, ONE STATE STREET PLAZA, 30TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10004, ATTN: [•], E-MAIL: [•], NO LATER THAN TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL MEETING. IF YOU HOLD YOUR ORDINARY SHARES IN “STREET NAME” THROUGH A BANK, BROKER OR OTHER NOMINEE, YOU MUST TENDER OR DELIVER YOUR SHARES (AND SHARE CERTIFICATES (IF ANY) AND OTHER REDEMPTION FORMS) TO CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT/WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM TWO BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL MEETING TO DEMAND REDEMPTION.

The requirement for physical or electronic delivery prior to the vote at the General Meeting ensures that a redeeming holder’s election is irrevocable once the Extension Proposal is approved. In furtherance of such irrevocable election, shareholders making the election will not be able to tender their shares after the vote at the General Meeting.

The electronic delivery process through the DWAC system 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 the Company’s 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 a nominal amount and the broker would determine whether or not to pass this cost on to the redeeming holder. It is the Company’s understanding that shareholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. The Company does 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 for the Extension Proposal will not be redeemed into a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account. In the event that a holder of Public Shares tenders its shares and decides prior to the vote at the General Meeting that it does not want to redeem its shares, the shareholder may withdraw the tender. If you tendered or

delivered your shares (and share certificates (if any) and other redemption forms) for redemption to our transfer agent and decide prior to the vote at the 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 prior to the vote at the General Meeting. In the event that a holder of Public Shares tenders shares, and the Extension Proposal is not approved or is abandoned, these shares will be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Existing Charter promptly following the meeting, as described elsewhere herein. The Company anticipates that a holder of Public Shares who tenders 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 filing of the Extension Proposal. The transfer agent will hold the certificates of holders of Public Shares that make the election until such shares are redeemed for cash or redeemed in connection with our winding up.

The per-share pro rata portion of the Trust Account on the Record Date after taking into account taxes owed but not paid by such date (which is expected to be the same approximate amount two business days prior to the General Meeting) was approximately $[•] per Public Share. The closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the Record Date was $[•]. The Company cannot assure shareholders that they will be able to sell their Ordinary Shares in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when such shareholders wish to sell their shares.

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 by tendering your share certificate(s) to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the vote for the Extension Proposal. If the Extension Proposal is not approved or if it is abandoned, these shares will be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Existing Charter promptly following the meeting as described elsewhere herein.

Required Vote

The Extension Proposal must be approved by a special resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Ordinary Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, are not treated as votes cast and will have no effect on the Extension Proposal. As a result, if you abstain from voting on the Extension Proposal, your shares will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum (if so present in accordance with the terms of our Existing Charter), but the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of such proposal.

Full Text of the Resolution

Please see Annex A.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL.

PROPOSAL NO. 2
THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will approve the Chair’s adjournment of the General Meeting to a later date to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to our shareholders in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes received at the time of the General Meeting to approve the Extension Proposal.

Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved

If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by our shareholders, the Chair will not adjourn the General Meeting to a later date in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes received at the time of the General Meeting to approve the Extension Proposal.

Required Vote

This Adjournment Proposal will be approved and adopted only if holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting vote “FOR” the Adjournment Proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, are not treated as votes cast and will have no effect on the Proposals. As a result, if you abstain from voting on the Adjournment Proposal, your shares will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum (if so present in accordance with the terms of our Existing Charter), but the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of such proposal.

Full Text of the Resolution

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ADOPTION OF THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.

THE GENERAL MEETING

Date, Time and Place. For the purposes of the articles of association of Ascend II, the physical place of the meeting will be at the offices of Goodwin Procter LLP, 601 Marshal Street, Redwood City, CA 94063. The General Meeting will be held at [•], ET on June , 2023 virtually at: [•].

Voting Power; Record Date. You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the General Meeting, if you owned Ordinary Shares at the close of business on [•], the Record Date for the General Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 17,968,750 outstanding Ordinary Shares, each of which entitles its holder to cast one vote on the proposal.

Proxies; Board Solicitation. Your proxy is being solicited by the Board on the proposals being presented to shareholders at the 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 in person at the General Meeting. Okapi Partners is assisting the Company in the proxy solicitation process for this General Meeting. The Company will pay that firm approximately $[•] in fees, plus disbursements for such services.

Required Votes

The Extension Proposal must be approved by a special resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Ordinary Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, are not treated as votes cast and will have no effect on the proposals. As a result, if you abstain from voting on any of the proposals, your shares will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum (if so present in accordance with the terms of our Existing Charter), but the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of such proposal.

The Sponsor and all of the Company’s directors, executive officers and their affiliates are expected to vote any Ordinary Shares owned by them in favor of the Extension Proposal. On the Record Date, they beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares, representing in the aggregate approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares. The Company’s Sponsor, directors and executive officers beneficially owned no Public Shares as of the Record Date, but may choose to purchase Public Shares in the open market and/or through negotiated private transactions after the date of this proxy statement. In the event that such purchases do occur, the purchasers may seek to purchase shares from shareholders who would otherwise have voted against the Extension Proposal and/or elected to redeem their shares. Any Public Shares so purchased will be voted in favor of the Extension Proposal.

The Adjournment Proposal must be approved by an ordinary resolution as a matter of Cayman Islands law, being the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares who, being present in person (including virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the General Meeting, vote at the General Meeting.

Interests of the Company’s Directors and Officers

When you consider the recommendation of the Board, you should keep in mind that the Company’s executive officers and members of the Board have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder. These interests include, among other things:

•

If the Extension Proposal is not approved and the Sponsor does not request that the Company extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination or the Board does not adopt a resolution to extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination, and we do not consummate an initial Business Combination by June 17, 2023, the 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares, which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $25,000, and 5,341,667 Private Warrants, which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $8,012,500, all will be worthless (as the holders have waived liquidation rights with respect to such shares). Such 3,593,750 Ordinary Shares had an aggregate market value of approximately $[•] based on the closing price of $[•] of the Ordinary Shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC on the Record Date.

•

Our Sponsor has agreed that, if we liquidate the Trust Account prior to the consummation of an initial Business Combination, it will be liable to pay debts and obligations to target businesses or vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such debts or obligations do not reduce the amounts in the Trust Account and only if such parties have not executed a waiver of claims against the Trust Account.

•

All rights specified in the Company’s Existing Charter 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 an initial Business Combination. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and the Company liquidates, the Company will not be able to perform its obligations to its officers and directors under those provisions;

•

Our Sponsor, directors and officers have agreed to waive their rights to participate in any liquidation of our Trust Account or other assets with respect to their Ordinary Shares (including both Public Shares and Private Warrants) and to vote their Ordinary Shares in favor of any dissolution and plan of distribution which we submit to a vote of shareholders.

•

Our officers and directors may loan funds to us and may be owed reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with certain activities on our behalf which would only be repaid if we complete an initial Business Combination. If the Extension Proposal is not approved and an initial Business Combination is not consummated, these out-of-pocket expenses will not be repaid.

Additionally, if the Extension Proposal is approved and the Company consummates an initial Business Combination, the officers and directors may have additional interests that would be described in the proxy statement for such transaction.

Board Recommendation

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE EXTENSION PROPOSAL AND “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL. THE BOARD EXPRESSES NO OPINION AS TO WHETHER YOU SHOULD REDEEM YOUR PUBLIC SHARES.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth as of May 10, 2023, the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares; (ii) each of our officers and directors; and (iii) all of our officers and directors as a group. As of the Record Date, we had 17,968,750 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC. Generally, a person has beneficial ownership of a security if the person possesses sole or shared voting power of that security, including any securities that a person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Ordinary Shares owned by them. As per the definition of beneficial ownership above, the following table does not reflect record of beneficial ownership of any Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of derivative securities or Private Warrants that are not exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.

	Class B ordinary shares				Class A ordinary shares
Name of Beneficial Owners	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		Approximate Percentage of Class		Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		Approximate Percentage of Class		Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Shares
G Squared Ascend Management II, LLC (our sponsor)(1)(2)(3)		3,363,750		93.60%		—		—		18.72%
Citadel Advisors LLC(6)		—		—		1,220,291		8.49%		6.79%
Aristeria Capital, L.L.C.(7)		—		—		1,367,717		9.51%		7.61%
First Trust Capital Management L.P.(8)		—		—		1,340,030		9.32%		7.46%
Directors and Executive Officers
Larry Aschebrook(3)(4)		—		—		—		—		—
Ward Davis(3)(4)		—		—		—		—		—
Tom Hoban(3)(4)		—		—		—		—		—
Thomas Evans(5)		30,000		*		—		—		*
Heather Hasson(5)		30,000		*		—		—		*
Cristina Antelo(5)		30,000		*		—		—		*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group		90,000		2.50%						*

Less than one percent.

(1)

The business address of each of the following entities and individuals is 205 N Michigan Ave., Suite 3770, Chicago, IL 60601; G Squared Ascend Management II, LLC, Larry Aschebrook, Ward Davis and Tom Hoban.

(2)

Interests shown consist solely of founder shares classified as Class B ordinary shares. The Class B ordinary shares will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares at the time of our initial business combination.

(3)

The shares reported herein are held in the name of our sponsor. Our sponsor is governed by managers, Larry Aschebrook, Ward Davis and Tom Hoban. As such, Mr. Aschebrook, Mr. Davis and Mr. Hoban may have voting and investment discretion with respect to the Class B ordinary shares held of record by our sponsor and may be deemed to have shared beneficial ownership of the Class B ordinary shares held directly by our sponsor.

(4)

Does not include any shares indirectly owned by this individual as a result of his or her direct or indirect ownership interest in our sponsor.

(5)

These individuals are currently directors.

(6)

Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023 by Citadel Advisors LLC, Citadel Advisors Holdings LP, Citadel GP LLC, and Mr. Kenneth Griffin. Each

entity reported shared voting power with respect to 1,220,291 shares. Mr. Griffin reported shared voting power with respect to 1,220,439 shares. The address for each of the entities and Mr. Griffin is Southeast Financial Center, 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 3300, Miami Florida 33131.

(7)

Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023 by Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. Aristeia Capital L.L.C. reported sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,367,717 shares. The address for Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. is One Greenwich Plaza, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.

(8)

Based on information provided on a Schedule 13G jointly filed with the SEC on May 10, 2023 by First Trust Capital Management L.P. (“FTCM”), First Trust Capital Solutions L.P. (“FTCS”) and FTCS Sub GP LLC (“Sub GP”). FTCS and Sub GP are control persons of FTCM. The entities reported sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,340,030 shares. The address for each of the entities is 225 W. Wacker Drive, 21st Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

As of the Record Date, our Initial Shareholders beneficially owned 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares representing approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares and have the right to elect all of our directors prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination. Holders of our Public Shares will not have the right to elect any directors to our Board prior to the completion of our initial Business Combination. Because of this ownership block, our Initial Shareholders may be able to effectively influence the outcome of all other matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and approval of significant corporate transactions including our initial Business Combination.

Our Initial Shareholders, including our Sponsor, CB Co-Investment LLC and our management team, have entered into an agreement with us, pursuant to which they have agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after our Initial Public Offering in connection with (i) the completion of our initial Business Combination and (ii) a shareholder vote to approve an amendment to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (A) that would modify the substance or timing of our obligation to provide holders of our Class A ordinary shares the right to have their shares redeemed in connection with our initial Business Combination or to redeem 100% of our Public Shares if we do not complete our initial Business Combination by the time set forth in our charter, as amended or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to the rights of holders of our Class A Ordinary Shares. Further, our Initial Shareholders, including our sponsor and our management team, have agreed to vote their 3,593,750 Class B Ordinary Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after our Initial Public Offering in favor of our initial Business Combination.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, the Company and its agents that deliver communications to its shareholders are permitted to deliver to two or more shareholders sharing the same address a single copy of the Company’s proxy statement. Upon written or oral request, the Company will deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement to any shareholder at a shared address who wishes to receive separate copies of such documents in the future. Shareholders receiving multiple copies of such documents may likewise request that the Company deliver single copies of such documents in the future. Shareholders may notify the Company of their requests by calling or writing the Company’s proxy solicitor at [•], [•].

OTHER INFORMATION

The Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, excluding exhibits, will be mailed without charge to any shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, upon written request to Chief Financial Officer, Ascend II, 205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 3770, Chicago, IL 60601.

Other Matters to Be Presented at the General Meeting

The Company did not have notice of any matter to be presented for action at the General Meeting, except as discussed in this proxy statement. The persons authorized by the accompanying form of proxy will vote in their discretion as to any other matter that comes before the General Meeting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The Company files its reports, proxy statements and other information electronically with the SEC. You may access information on the Company at the SEC website containing reports, proxy statements and other information at http://www.sec.gov. This proxy statement describes the material elements of relevant contracts, exhibits and other information attached as annexes to this proxy statement. Information and statements contained in this proxy statement are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of the relevant contract or other document included as an annex to this document.

This proxy statement contains important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this document. You may obtain this additional information, or additional copies of this proxy statement, at no cost, and you may ask any questions you may have about the Extension Proposal by contacting the Company’s proxy solicitor at the following:

Okapi Partners
[•]
Toll-Free [•] or [•]
Email: [•]

In order to receive timely delivery of the documents in advance of the General Meeting, you must make your request for information no later than [•].

ANNEX A

EXTENSION AMENDMENT

AMENDED AND RESTATED
MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
G SQUARED ASCEND II INC.

RESOLVED, as a special resolution: “that the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended by the deletion of the existing Articles 38.8, 38.9, and 38.11 in their entirety and the insertion of the following language in their place:

(a) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up;

(b) 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 income taxes, if any (less up to US$100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), 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