NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In December 2020, certain of the Initial Stockholders purchased an aggregate of 4,312,500 shares of common stock from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. In September 2021, certain of the Initial Stockholders sold an aggregate of 1,547,802 shares back to the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $959.14. Of those shares, 1,437,500 shares were cancelled, and the remaining 110,302 shares were purchased by certain of the Initial Stockholders from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $959.14, resulting in an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of common stock being held by the Initial Stockholders (the “Founder Shares”). On November 22, 2021, CR Financial Holdings, Inc. sold an aggregate of 56,932 shares to the Company’s independent directors for an aggregate purchase price of $495.05.

The sale of the Founder Shares to certain of the Company’s Initial Stockholders and independent directors, as described above, is within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The fair value of the 167,234 shares sold to the Company’s Initial Stockholders and independent directors was approximately $788,900, or $4.72 per share. The Founder Shares were effectively sold subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founder Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence. Stock-based compensation will be recognized at the date a Business Combination is considered probable in an amount equal to the number of Founder Shares times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founder Shares. As of September 30, 2023, the Company determined that a Business Combination is not considered probable, and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized.

The Initial Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until (1) with respect to 50% of the Founder Shares, the earlier of six months after the completion of a Business Combination and the date on which the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after a Business Combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Founder Shares, six months after the completion of a Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to a Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Working Capital Loans

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Stockholders, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest. On July 26, 2023, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note in the aggregate amount of up to $750,000 (the “Note”) to individuals or entities listed on the Note. The Note is non-interest bearing and is payable on the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company consummates an initial business combination or (ii) the date the Company liquidates if a Business Combination is not consummated. The Note will be repaid only from amounts remaining outside of the Company’s Trust Account, if any. The proceeds will be used by the Company to pay various expenses of the Company, including the extension payments, and for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were Working Capital Loans outstanding of $250,000 and $0, respectively.

Underwriting Agreement and Business Combination Marketing Agreement

The Company entered into an underwriting agreement and a business combination marketing agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”), the underwriters in the Initial Public Offering. The underwriters are related parties of the Company. See Note 6 for a discussion of the business combination marketing agreement.

NOTE 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

In December 2020, certain of the Initial Stockholders purchased an aggregate of 4,312,500 shares of common stock from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000. In September 2021, certain of the Initial Stockholders sold an aggregate of 1,547,802 shares back to the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $959.14. Of those shares, 1,437,500 shares were cancelled, and the remaining 110,302 shares were purchased by certain of the Initial Stockholders from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $959.14, resulting in an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of common stock being held by the Initial Stockholders (the “Founder Shares”). On November 22, 2021, CR Financial Holdings, Inc. sold an aggregate of 56,932 shares to the Company’s independent directors for an aggregate purchase price of $495.05.

The sale of the Founder Shares to certain of the Company’s Initial Stockholders and independent directors, as described above, is within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Under ASC 718, stock-based compensation associated with equity-classified awards is measured at fair value upon the grant date. The fair value of the 167,234 shares sold to the Company’s Initial Stockholders and independent directors was approximately $788,900, or $4.72 per share. The Founder Shares were effectively sold subject to a performance condition (i.e., the occurrence of a Business Combination). Compensation expense related to the Founder Shares is recognized only when the performance condition is probable of occurrence. Stock-based compensation will be recognized at the date a Business Combination is considered probable in an amount equal to the number of Founder Shares times the grant date fair value per share (unless subsequently modified) less the amount initially received for the purchase of the Founder Shares. As of December 31, 2021, the Company determined that a Business Combination is not considered probable, and, therefore, no stock-based compensation expense has been recognized.

The Initial Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Founder Shares until (1) with respect to 50% of the Founder Shares, the earlier of six months after the completion of a Business Combination and the date on which the closing price of the common stock equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing after a Business Combination and (2) with respect to the remaining 50% of the Founder Shares, six months after the completion of a Business Combination, or earlier, in either case, if, subsequent to a Business Combination, the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Promissory Note

On August 9, 2021, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to a related party, pursuant to which the Company could borrow an aggregate principal amount of $200,000. The promissory note was non-interest bearing and payable promptly after consummation of the Initial Public Offering or the date on which the Company determined not to conduct the Initial Public Offering. The outstanding balance under the Promissory Note of $200,000 was repaid at the closing of the Initial Public Offering on December 13, 2021. Borrowings under Promissory Note are no longer available.

Working Capital Loans

In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Initial Stockholders, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan the Company funds as may be required (“Working Capital Loans”). If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company would repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, the Company may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the Working Capital Loans, but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the Working Capital Loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such Working Capital Loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The Working Capital Loans would be repaid upon consummation of a Business Combination, without interest. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, there are no Working Capital Loans outstanding.

Underwriting Agreement and Business Combination Marketing Agreement

The Company entered into an underwriting agreement and a business combination marketing agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”), the underwriters in the Initial Public Offering. The underwriters are related parties of the Company. See Note 6 for a discussion of the underwriting agreement and the business combination marketing agreement.