UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________ to ______________

Commission File Number 001-39983

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Cayman Islands		98-1567976
(State or other jurisdiction of		(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

2 Rousseau Street

San Francisco, California

94112

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(415) 404-6356

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, $0.0001 par value, and one-half of one redeemable warrant	KRNLU	The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Class A ordinary shares included as part of the units	KRNL	The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Redeemable warrants included as part of the units	KRNLW	The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒	Smaller reporting company ☒
	Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☒ No ☐

As of November 13, 2023, there were 6,315,949 of the registrant’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, and 7,618,750 of the registrant’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

		Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	2
	Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022	2
	Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	3
	Unaudited Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	4
	Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022	6
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	39
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	40
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	40
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	40
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	41
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	41
Item 5.	Other Information	41
Item 6.	Exhibits	41
PART III
SIGNATURE		42

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

	September 30, 2023			December 31, 2022
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	804		$	93,095
Prepaid expenses		44,754			42,022
Total current assets		45,558			135,117
Cash and investments held in Trust Account		66,631,804			309,234,766
Total Assets	$	66,677,362		$	309,369,883

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,418,880		$	848,420
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		15,260			1,949,715
Accrued expenses - related party		260,000			170,000
Promissory note - related party		1,667,311			—
Convertible promissory note		1,450,000			—
Derivative liability - forward purchase agreement		6,261,728			—
Total current liabilities		13,073,179			2,968,135
Deferred underwriting commissions		—			10,666,250
Warrant liabilities		1,439,250			174,354
Total Liabilities		14,512,429			13,808,739

Commitments and Contingencies		-			-
Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, $0.0001 par value; 6,315,949 and 30,475,000 shares issued and outstanding at approximately $10.53 and $10.14 per share redemption value as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		66,531,804			309,134,766

Shareholders’ Deficit:
Preference shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022		—			—
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; no non-redeemable shares issued or outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022		—			—
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 7,618,750 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022		762			762
Ordinary shares
Additional paid-in capital		—			—
Accumulated deficit		(14,367,633	)		(13,574,384	)
Total Shareholders’ Deficit		(14,366,871	)		(13,573,622	)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Deficit	$	66,677,362		$	309,369,883

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

	September 30, 2023			September 30, 2022			September 30, 2023			September 30, 2022
	For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2023			September 30, 2022			September 30, 2023			September 30, 2022
General and administrative	$	578,578		$	249,489		$	1,737,996		$	783,395
Administrative fees - related party		30,000			30,000			90,000			90,000
Loss from operations		(608,578	)		(279,489	)		(1,827,996	)		(873,395	)
Other income (expense):
Unrealized (loss) gain from change in fair value of warrant liabilities		1,439,250			1,199,375			(1,264,896	)		11,753,875
Income from investments held in Trust Account		562,902			1,378,065			1,522,366			1,838,466
Gain on waiver of deferred underwriting commissions by underwriter allocated to Public Warrants		—			—			755,346			—
Unrealized loss on fair value of derivative liabilities – forward purchase agreement		(788,496	)		—			(6,261,728	)		—
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount		(416,701	)		—			(1,322,101	)		—
Interest expense		(1,220	)		—			(4,880	)		—
Net income (loss)	$	187,157		$	2,297,951		$	(8,403,889	)	$	12,718,946

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class A ordinary shares		11,608,672			30,475,000			12,316,438			30,475,000
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A ordinary shares	$	0.01		$	0.06		$	(0.42	)	$	0.33
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Class B ordinary shares		7,618,750			7,618,750			7,618,750			7,618,750
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share, Class B ordinary shares	$	0.01		$	0.06		$	(0.42	)	$	0.33

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(UNAUDITED)

	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Deficit
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

	Ordinary Shares								Additional						Total
	Class A				Class B				Paid-in			Accumulated			Shareholders’
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Deficit
Balance at January 1, 2023		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—		$	(13,574,384	)	$	(13,573,622	)
Proceeds allocated to Share Rights of convertible promissory note - related party		—		—		—		—		546,809			—			546,809
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount		—		—		—		—		(546,809	)		(1,012,654	)		(1,559,463	)
Net loss		—		—		—		—		—			(2,728,281	)		(2,728,281	)
Balance at March 31, 2023 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—		$	(17,315,319	)	$	(17,314,557	)
Proceeds allocated to Share Rights of convertible promissory note - related party		—		—		—		—		775,292			—			775,292
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount		—		—		—		—		(775,292	)		9,786,196			9,010,904
Net loss		—		—		—		—		—			(5,862,765	)		(5,862,765	)
Balance at June 30, 2023 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—		$	(13,391,888	)	$	(13,391,126	)
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount		—		—		—		—		—			(1,162,902	)		(1,162,902	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—			187,157			187,157
Balance at September 30, 2023 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—			(14,367,633	)		(14,366,871	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(UNAUDITED)

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

	Ordinary Shares								Additional					Total
	Class A				Class B				Paid-in		Accumulated			Shareholders’
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital		Deficit			Deficit
Balance at January 1, 2022		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(24,845,647	)	$	(24,844,885	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—		6,124,381			6,124,381
Balance at March 31, 2022 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(18,721,266	)	$	(18,720,504	)
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount		—		—		—		—		—		(375,465	)		(375,465	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—		4,296,614			4,296,614
Balance at June 30, 2022 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(14,800,117	)	$	(14,799,355	)
Balance		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(14,800,117	)	$	(14,799,355	)
Remeasurement of Class A ordinary shares to redemption amount		—		—		—		—		—		(1,378,065	)		(1,378,065	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—		2,297,951			2,297,951
Net (loss) income		—		—		—		—		—		2,297,951			2,297,951
Balance at September 30, 2022 (unaudited)		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(13,880,231	)	$	(13,879,469	)
Balance		—	$	—		7,618,750	$	762	$	—	$	(13,880,231	)	$	(13,879,469	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(8,403,889	)	$	12,718,946
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Income from investments held in Trust Account		(1,522,366	)		(1,838,466	)
Interest expense - amortization of debt discount		1,322,101			—
Unrealized loss (gain) on the change in fair value of warrant liabilities		1,264,896			(11,753,875	)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities – forward purchase agreement		6,261,728			—
Gain on waiver of deferred underwriting commissions by underwriter		(755,346	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses		(2,731	)		285,464
Accounts payable		2,570,460			4,033
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,934,455	)		187,681
Accrued expenses - related party		90,000			103,852
Net cash used in operating activities		(1,109,602	)		(292,365	)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Cash deposited into Trust Account		(2,100,000	)		—
Proceeds from Trust Account for payment to redeeming shareholders		246,225,328			—
Net cash provided by investing activities		244,125,328			—

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from promissory note - related party		1,667,311			—
Proceeds from convertible promissory note		1,450,000			—
Payment to redeeming shareholders		(246,225,328	)		—
Offering costs paid		—			(70,000	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(243,108,017	)		(70,000	)

Net Change in Cash		(92,291	)		(362,365	)
Cash - Beginning of the period		93,095			474,945
Cash - End of the period	$	804		$	112,580

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Waiver of deferred underwriting commissions by underwriter	$	9,910,904		$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES AND GOING CONCERN

Kernel Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on November 10, 2020. The Company was incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses that the Company has not yet identified (“Business Combination”).

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity from November 10, 2020 through September 30, 2023 relates to the Company’s formation and the preparation of its initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”), as described below, and since the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the search for a target for the Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of its initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company generates non-operating income in the form of dividend income, interest income or gains on investments held in a trust account (“Trust Account”) from the proceeds derived from the Initial Public Offering.

The Company’s sponsor was Kernel Capital Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Original Sponsor”). The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective on February 2, 2021. On February 5, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 30,475,000 units (the “Units” and, with respect to the Class A ordinary shares included in the Units being offered, the “Public Shares”), including 3,975,000 additional Units to cover the underwriters’ over-allotment (the “Over-Allotment Units”), at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $304.8 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $17.4 million, of which approximately $10.7 million was for deferred underwriting commissions. On May 24, 2023, the underwriters agreed to waive their rights to the fee payable by the Company for deferred underwriting commissions, with respect to any potential Business Combination of the Company (see Note 6).

Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company consummated a private placement (the “Private Placement”) of 8,750,000 warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”), at a price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant with the Original Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of approximately $8.8 million, which is discussed in Note 4.

On December 28, 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with the Original Sponsor, and VKSS Capital, LLC, a Delaware corporation (the “New Sponsor” or “Sponsor”), pursuant to which the New Sponsor, or an entity designated by the New Sponsor, will purchase from the Original Sponsor 7,618,750 Class B ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share and 8,750,000 Private Placement Warrants, each of which is exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.00 payable at the time the Company effects the initial Business Combination. Upon the closing of the initial Business Combination, New Sponsor shall also convey 2,000,000 Class B ordinary shares to the equityholders of the Original Sponsor, as of December 28, 2022, pro rata based on the equityholders’ underlying interest in the Company’s Class B ordinary shares as of December 28, 2022 (see Note 4).

Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement, approximately $304.8 million ($10.00 per Unit) of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering and certain of the proceeds of the Private Placement were placed in the Trust Account with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Continental”) acting as trustee and has been invested in United States “government securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), as amended, having a maturity of 185 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company, until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination and (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account as described below.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of its Initial Public Offering and the sale of Private Placement Warrants, although substantially all of the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally toward consummating a Business Combination. The Company’s initial Business Combination must be with one or more operating businesses or assets with a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the net assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the interest earned on the Trust Account) at the time the Company signs a definitive agreement in connection with the initial Business Combination. However, the Company will only complete a Business Combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the target business or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target business sufficient for it not to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

The Company will provide its holders of the Public Shares (the “Public Shareholders”) with the opportunity to redeem all or a portion of their Public Shares upon the completion of a Business Combination either (i) in connection with a general meeting called to approve the Business Combination or (ii) by means of a tender offer. The decision as to whether the Company will seek shareholder approval of a Business Combination or conduct a tender offer will be made by the Company. The Public Shareholders will be entitled to redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (initially anticipated to be $10.00 per share, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its tax obligations). The per-share amount to be distributed to Public Shareholders who redeem their Public Shares will not be reduced by the deferred underwriting commissions the Company will pay to the underwriters (as discussed in Note 6). These Public Shares will be recorded at a redemption value and classified as temporary equity upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” In such case, the Company will proceed with a Business Combination if the Company has net tangible assets of at least $5,000,001 upon such consummation of a Business Combination and a majority of the shares voted are voted in favor of the Business Combination. If a shareholder vote is not required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements and the Company does not decide to hold a shareholder vote for business or other reasons, the Company will, pursuant to the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association”), conduct the redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and file tender offer documents with the SEC prior to completing a Business Combination. If, however, a shareholder approval of the transactions is required by applicable law or stock exchange listing requirements, or the Company decides to obtain shareholder approval for business or other reasons, the Company will offer to redeem shares in conjunction with a proxy solicitation pursuant to the proxy rules and not pursuant to the tender offer rules. Additionally, each Public Shareholder may elect to redeem their Public Shares irrespective of whether they vote for or against the proposed transaction or whether they were a Public Shareholder on the record date for the general meeting held to approve the proposed transaction. If the Company seeks shareholder approval in connection with a Business Combination, the holders of the Founder Shares (as defined in Note 4) prior to this Initial Public Offering (the “Initial Shareholders”) agreed to vote their Founder Shares and any Public Shares purchased during or after the Initial Public Offering in favor of a Business Combination. In addition, the Initial Shareholders agreed to waive their redemption rights with respect to their Founder Shares and Public Shares in connection with the completion of a Business Combination. In addition, the Company agreed not to enter into a definitive agreement regarding an initial Business Combination without the prior consent of the New Sponsor.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that a Public Shareholder, together with any affiliate of such shareholder or any other person with whom such shareholder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), will be restricted from redeeming its shares with respect to more than an aggregate of 15% or more of the Public Shares, without the prior consent of the Company.

The Company’s New Sponsor, officers and directors agreed not to propose an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (A) to modify the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to allow the redemption of its Public Shares in connection with a Business Combination or to redeem 100% of its Public Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within 30 months (including six month extension) from the closing of the Initial Public Offering, or February 5, 2024, (the “Combination Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provisions relating to shareholders’ rights or pre-initial Business Combination activity, unless the Company provides the Public Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares in conjunction with any such amendment.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up; (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes, if any (less up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of the then-outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any); and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), to the Company’s obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

In connection with the redemption of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Public Shares for a portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, each holder will receive a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account, plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes payable (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses).

The Initial Shareholders agreed to waive their liquidation rights with respect to the Founder Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Initial Shareholders should acquire Public Shares in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such Public Shares if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period. The underwriters agreed to waive their rights to their deferred underwriting commissions (see Note 6) held in the Trust Account in the event the Company does not complete a Business Combination within the Combination Period and, in such event, such amounts will be included with the funds held in the Trust Account that will be available to fund the redemption of the Company’s Public Shares. In the event of such distribution, it is possible that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution in the Trust Account will be less than the $10.00 per share initially held in the Trust Account. In order to protect the amounts held in the Trust Account, the Sponsor agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent any claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company, or a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into a written letter of intent, confidentiality or other similar agreement or business combination agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below the lesser of (i) $10.00 per Public Share and (ii) the actual amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, if less than $10.00 per share due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, less taxes payable, provided that such liability will not apply to any claims by a third party or prospective target business who executed a waiver of any and all rights to the monies held in the Trust Account (whether or not such waiver is enforceable) nor will it apply to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the Initial Public Offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, the Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. The Company will seek to reduce the possibility that the Sponsor will have to indemnify the Trust Account due to claims of creditors by endeavoring to have vendors, service providers (except the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm), prospective target businesses or other entities with which the Company does business, execute agreements with the Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to monies held in the Trust Account. There can be no guarantee that the Company will be successful in obtaining such waivers from its targeted vendors and service providers.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charter Amendment and Share Redemptions

In an extraordinary general meeting held on February 3, 2023, shareholders approved a charter amendment (the “February Charter Amendment”), changing the structure and cost of the Company’s right to extend the date by which the Company must (i) consummate a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “business combination”), (ii) cease its operations if it fails to complete such business combination, and (iii) redeem or repurchase 100% of the Company’s Public Shares (the “Termination Date”), which was previously February 5, 2023 (the “August Charter Amendment Proposal”). The February Charter Amendment allowed the Company to extend the Termination Date by up to six (6) one-month extensions to August 5, 2023 (each, an “Extension,” and such later date, the “Extended Deadline”) provided that if any Extended Deadline ends on a day that is not a business day, such Extended Deadline will be automatically extended to the next succeeding business day. To effect each 1-month Extension, the Company, its Sponsor or any of their affiliates or designees must deposit into the Company’s Trust Account with Continental by the applicable Extended Deadline (the “Extension Payment”), the lesser of (x) $300,000 or (y) $0.06 per share for each of the Company’s publicly held shares outstanding as of the deadline prior to the extension (after giving effect to redemptions in connection with the approval of the February Charter Amendment by the Company’s shareholders with respect to the first such extension). In connection with the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal, the shareholders also approved a proposal to amend the Company’s trust agreement with Continental (the “Trust Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company’s Trust Agreement with Continental was amended to conform the procedures in the Trust Agreement by which the Company may extend the date on which Continental must liquidate the Trust Account if the Company has not completed its initial Business Combination to the procedures in the February Charter Amendment (the “Trust Amendment Proposal”). In connection with the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal and the Trust Amendment Proposal at the shareholders meeting, holders of 22,848,122 of the Company’s Public Shares exercised their right to redeem those shares for cash at an approximate price of $10.15 per share, for an aggregate of approximately $231.9 million. Following the payment of the redemptions, the Trust Account had a balance of approximately $74.7 million before the first Extension Payment.

The shareholders of the Company approved the Amendment to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (the “August Charter Amendment”) at the August 3, 2023 shareholders meeting, changing the structure and cost of the Company’s right to extend the Termination Date by up to six (6) one-month Extensions to February 5, 2024, provided that if any Extended Deadline ends on a day that is not a business day, such Extended Deadline will be automatically extended to the next succeeding business day (the “Second Extension Amendment Proposal”). To effect each Extension, the Company, its sponsor or any of their affiliates or designees must deposit into the Company’s Trust Account with Continental an Extension Payment (after giving effect to redemptions in connection with the approval of the August Extension Charter Amendment) the lesser of (x) $150,000 or (y) $0.04 per share for each of the Company’s Public Shares outstanding as of the applicable Extended Deadline, unless the closing of the Company’s initial business combination shall have occurred, in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note payable upon consummation of a business combination. In connection with the approval of the Second Extension Amendment Proposal, the shareholders also approved a proposal to amend the Trust Agreement, pursuant to which the Company’s Trust Agreement with Continental was amended to conform the procedures in the Trust Agreement by which the Company may extend the date on which Continental must liquidate the Trust Account if the Company has not completed its initial Business Combination to the procedures in the August Charter Amendment (the “Second Trust Amendment Proposal”).

In connection with the approval of the Second Extension Amendment Proposal and the Second Trust Amendment Proposal at the August 3, 2023 shareholders meeting, holders of 1,310,929 of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares exercised their rights to redeem those shares for cash at an approximate price of $10.42 per share, for an aggregate of approximately $13.6 million. Following the payment of the redemptions, the Trust Account has a balance of $66,631,804 inclusive of extension payments at September 30, 2023.

On each of February 9, 2023, March 7, 2023, April 4, 2023, May 9,2023, June 6,2023, and July 5, 2023 the Company deposited $300,000, and on each of August 3, 2023 and September 5, 2023 the Company deposited $150,000 into the Trust Account to extend the date to consummate a Business Combination through March 5, 2023, April 5, 2023, May 5, 2023, June 5, 2023, July 5, 2023, August 5, 2023, September 5, 2023, October 5, 2023, and November 5, 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash deposited into the Trust Account in relation to the extensions amounted to $2,100,000.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Proposed Business Combination

On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a business combination agreement by and among the Company, AIRO Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“ParentCo”), Kernel Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo (“Kernel Merger Sub”), AIRO Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo (“AIRO Merger Sub”), the Company’s Sponsor, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, in the capacity as the representative for the Company’s shareholders (the “Seller Representative”), and AIRO Group Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AIRO Group Holdings”), referred to collectively as the parties (the “Parties”) (as may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will change the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”).

In connection with the Domestication, each Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, shall convert into a share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and each Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, shall convert into a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Further, each share of Class B common stock and each share of Class A common stock that is then issued and outstanding shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of Kernel common stock (the “Kernel Common Stock”).

Following the Domestication, the parties will effect the merger of Kernel Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity as a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo (the “First Merger”). Immediately following the First Merger, AIRO Merger Sub will merge with and into AIRO Group Holdings, with AIRO Group Holdings continuing as the surviving entity as a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo (the “Second Merger” and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, together, the “Transaction”).

As consideration for the Second Merger, the holders of AIRO Group Holdings’ securities collectively shall be entitled to receive from ParentCo, in the aggregate, a number of shares of ParentCo common stock with an aggregate value equal to (the “AIRO Merger Consideration”) (a) $770,000,000 minus (b) the amount, if any, by which the net working capital is less than negative $500,000, plus (c) the amount, if any, by which the net working capital exceeds $500,000 (but not less than zero), minus (d) the amount, if any, by which the closing net debt exceeds the target net debt of $75,000,000, by more than $500,000 (but not less than zero), plus (e) the amount, if any, by which the target net debt of $75,000,000 exceeds closing net debt, minus (f) the amount, if any, by which the company transaction expenses exceed the target company transaction expenses of $14,000,000 (but not less than zero). In addition, holders of AIRO Group Holdings’ securities shall have the contingent right to receive from ParentCo, in the aggregate, up to 33,000,000 additional shares of ParentCo common stock, and the Sponsor shall have the contingent right to receive up to 3,300,000 shares of ParentCo Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”). In the event that for any full 12-month period (each an “Earnout Period”) commencing on or after the Closing Date (the “Earnout Start Date”) and ending on or before the last day of the thirteenth full calendar quarter following the Closing Date (the “Earnout End Date,” and the period between the Earnout Start Date and the Earnout End Date, the “Earnout Eligibility Period”) ParentCo’s revenue is (i) greater than or equal to $42,600,000 for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period, (ii) greater than or equal to $141,400,000 for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period, and (iii) greater than or equal to $358,900,000 for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period, then upon the occurrence of each (i), (ii), and (iii), ParentCo shall issue to each of the stockholders of AIRO Group Holdings such stockholder’s pro rata share of 6,600,000 Earnout Shares and the Sponsor shall be issued 660,000 Earnout Shares. In the event that ParentCo’s EBITDA for any Earnout Period is (x) greater than or equal to $(19,300,000) for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period, (y) greater than or equal to $4,000,000 for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period and (z) greater than or equal to $98,600,000 for the first time during the Earnout Eligibility Period, then upon the occurrence of each (x), (y), and (z), ParentCo shall issue to each of the stockholders of AIRO Group Holding such stockholder’s pro rata share of 4,400,000 Earnout Shares and the Sponsor shall be issued 440,000 Earnout Shares.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Business Combination Agreement contains customary conditions to Closing, including the following mutual conditions of the parties (unless waived): (i) approval of the shareholders of Kernel and AIRO Group Holdings of the Transaction and the other matters requiring shareholder approval; (ii) approvals of any required governmental authorities and completion of any antitrust expiration periods; (iii) receipt of specified third party consents; (iv) no law or order preventing the Transaction; (v) the Registration Statement having been declared effective by the SEC; (vi) no material uncured breach by the other party; (vii) no occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the other party; (viii) the satisfaction of the $5,000,001 minimum net tangible asset test by Kernel; (ix) approval from Nasdaq for the listing of the shares of ParentCo’s common to be issued in connection with the Transaction; and (x) reconstitution of the Post-Closing Board as contemplated under the Business Combination Agreement.

In addition, unless waived by AIRO Group Holdings, the obligations of AIRO Group Holdings to consummate the Transaction are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional Closing conditions, in addition to the delivery by Kernel of the Related Agreements (as defined and described in greater detail below), customary certificates and other Closing deliverables: (i) the representations and warranties of Kernel being true and correct as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Closing (subject to customary exceptions, including materiality qualifiers); (ii) Kernel having performed in all material respects its obligations and complied in all material respects with its covenants and agreements under the Business Combination Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the date of the Closing; (iii) absence of any Material Adverse Effect with respect to Kernel since the date of the Business Combination Agreement which is continuing and uncured; (iv) the replacement of the Replacement Warrants and Replacement Options; (v) at the Closing, Kernel having $50,000,000 in Unencumbered Cash, including funds remaining in the trust account (after giving effect to the completion and payment of any redemptions and any Transaction Expenses) and the proceeds of the PIPE/Convertible Note Investment, fifty percent (50%) of any net cash proceeds of any capital investment raise and/or convertible debt raise conducted by the Company during the period beginning on the effective date of the Business Combination and ending on the Closing Date, and any net cash proceeds of any executed agreements regarding a capital investment raise and/or convertible debt raise conducted by Kernel or ParentCo in which such cash proceeds are required to be paid to ParentCo during the thirty (30) day period beginning on the Closing Date.

Finally, unless waived by Kernel, the obligations of Kernel to consummate the Transaction are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional Closing conditions, in addition to the delivery by Kernel of the Related Agreements (as defined and described in greater detail below), customary certificates and other Closing deliverables: (i) the representations and warranties of AIRO Group Holdings being true and correct as of the date of the Business Combination Agreement and as of the Closing (subject to customary exceptions, including materiality qualifiers); (ii) AIRO Group Holdings having performed in all material respects their respective obligations and complied in all material respects with their respective covenants and agreements under the Business Combination Agreement required to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the date of the Closing; (iii) absence of any Material Adverse Effect with respect to AIRO Group Holdings and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis since the date of the Business Combination Agreement which is continuing and uncured; (iv) delivery of AIRO’s 2022 Audited Financials within 60 days of the Business Combination Agreement’s signing; (v) the completion of Kernel’s legal due diligence of AIRO Group Holdings and its subsidiaries to Kernel’s reasonable satisfaction; (vi) the replacement of the Replacement Warrants and Replacement Options; and (vii) the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Target Companies due earlier than 180 days after the Closing (less Company cash at Closing) is less than Fifty Million U.S. Dollars ($50,000,000).

On August 29, 2023, the Company, ParentCo, Kernel Merger Sub, AIRO Merger Sub, Seller Representative, AIRO Group Holdings, and the Sponsor entered into the First Amendment to the Business Combination Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment amends the Business Combination Agreement to make certain changes to the earnout provisions to fix the number of Earnout Shares that can be granted in each Earnout Period based on a $10.00 per share price.

Risks and Uncertainties

Management continues to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these unaudited condensed financial statements. The unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

In February 2022, the Russian Federation and Belarus commenced a military action with the country of Ukraine. As a result of this action, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus.

The escalation in October 2023 of the conflict between Israel and Hamas also could cause disruptions to global economic conditions and effect the stability of the Middle East region. It is unknown how long any of these disruptions will continue and whether such disruptions will become more severe.

The impact of these conflicts on the world economy is not determinable as of the date of these financial statements and the specific impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is also not determinable as of the date of these condensed financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As a result of political tensions in the Middle East and the military action commenced in February 2022 by the Russian Federation and Belarus in the country of Ukraine and related economic sanctions, the Company’s ability to consummate a Business Combination, or the operations of a target business with which the Company ultimately consummates a Business Combination, may be materially and adversely affected. Further, the Company’s ability to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by these events, including as a result of increased market volatility, or decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. The impact of this action and related sanctions on the world economy and the specific impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or ability to consummate a Business Combination are not yet determinable. The unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Going Concern

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had approximately $804 in its operating bank account and a working capital deficit of $13,027,621.

The Company’s liquidity needs to date have been satisfied through a contribution of $25,000 from Original Sponsor to cover for certain expenses in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares, the loan of $77,000 from the Original Sponsor under the Note, certain portion of the proceeds from the consummation of the Private Placement not held in the Trust Account, the Promissory Note of $2,100,000, and Convertible Promissory Note of $1,450,000. The Company repaid $77,000 of the loan from the Original Sponsor in February 2021. In addition, in order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of the Company’s officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, provide the Company Working Capital Loans. If the Company completes a Business Combination, the Company may repay the Working Capital Loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to the Company. Otherwise, the Working Capital Loans may 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.

Management has determined that the Company has access to funds from the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors to meet its needs through the earlier of the consummation of a Business Combination or one year from this filing. Over this time period, the Company will be using these funds for paying certain existing accounts payable, identifying and evaluating prospective initial Business Combination candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to merge with or acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination. In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” the Company have determined that the liquidity condition, the date of the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after December 5, 2023, with the option to extend an additional two months to February 5, 2024, as permitted by the Company’s governing documents. The unaudited condensed financial statements do not include any adjustment that might be necessary if the Company are unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s management plans to complete a business combination prior to the mandatory liquidation date.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, certain disclosures included in the annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted from these unaudited condensed financial statements as they are not required for interim financial statements under U.S. GAAP and the rules of the SEC. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the period presented. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected through December 31, 2023, or any future period.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the unaudited condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Making estimates requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which the Company’s management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. One of the more significant accounting estimates included in these unaudited condensed financial statements is the determination of the fair value of the warrant liability and forward purchase agreement. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage limit of $250,000 and investments held in Trust Account. The Company has significant cash balances at financial institutions which throughout the year regularly exceed the federally insured limit of $250,000. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Investments Held in Trust Account

Until February 2023, the Company’s portfolio of investments held in the Trust Account was comprised of U.S. government securities, within the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act, with a maturity of 185 days or less, or investments in money market funds that invest in U.S. government securities and generally have a readily determinable fair value, or a combination thereof. In July 2023, the Company instructed Continental to instead hold the funds in the Trust Account in an interest-bearing demand deposit account. In February 2023, the Company transferred the funds in the Trust Account into cash, and in August 2023, the Company transferred the Trust Account funds back to an interest-bearing demand deposit account. When the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are comprised of U.S. government securities, the investments are classified as trading securities. When the Company’s investments held in the Trust Account are comprised of money market funds, the investments are recognized at fair value. Trading securities and investments in money market funds are presented on the condensed balance sheets at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Gains and losses resulting from the change in fair value of these securities are included in income from investments held in Trust Account in the accompanying unaudited condensed statements of operations. The estimated fair values of investments held in the Trust Account are determined using available market information. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $246,225,328 was paid to redeeming shareholders. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the investments held in the Trust Account totaled $66,631,804 and $309,234,766, respectively.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, equals or approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheets, except for warrant liabilities (see Note 10).

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers consist of:

	●	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;
	●	Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
	●	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period.

The warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement Warrants are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised. The fair value of warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement has been measured by using the market value of the public warrants. The fair value of the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Public Offering was initially measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation and subsequently has been measured based on the market price at each measurement date when separately listed and traded. The determination of the fair value of the derivative liability may be subject to change as more current information becomes available and accordingly the actual results could differ significantly. Derivative liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

The Forward Purchase Agreement (see Note 6) is classified as a derivative in the condensed balance sheets with changes in the fair value recognized in the unaudited condensed statements of operations.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Convertible Promissory Notes

On March 23, 2023, Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund agreed to loan the Company an aggregate principal of $600,000 (the ‘First Polar Fund Convertible Note”) to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Company in exchange for the issuance of 600,000 Class A Common Stock at the closing of a business combination (“Share Rights”). At the option of Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund, upon the closing of a business combination, the outstanding principal of $600,000 at September 30, 2023 may be converted into a number of Class A Common Stock at a rate of one Class A Common Stock for each $10.00 of additional capital contribution (60,000 shares).

On April 4, 2023, Aesther Healthcare Sponsor agreed to loan the Company an aggregate principal of $50,000 (“the Aesther Healthcare Convertible Note”) to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Company in exchange for the issuance of 50,000 Class A Common Stock at the closing of a business combination (“Share Rights”). At the option of Aesther Healthcare Sponsor, upon the closing of a business combination, the outstanding principal of $50,000 at September 30, 2023 may be converted into a number of Class A Common Stock at a rate of one Class A Common Stock for each $10.00 of additional capital contribution (5,000 shares).

On April 25, 2023, Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund agreed to loan the Company an aggregate principal of $800,000 (the “Second Polar Fund Convertible Note”) to be used for a portion of the expenses of the Company in exchange for the issuance of 800,000 Class A Common Stock at the closing of a business combination (“Share Rights”). At the option of Polar Multi-Strategy Master Fund, upon the closing of a business combination, the outstanding principal of $800,000 at September 30, 2023 may be converted into a number of Class A Common Stock at a rate of one Class A Common Stock for each $10 of additional capital contribution (80,000 shares).

Collectively, the First Polar Fund Convertible Note, the Aesther Healthcare Convertible Note and the Second Polar Fund Convertible Note are referred to as the Convertible Notes. The Company accounted for its Share Rights as equity-classified instruments based on an assessment of the Share Right’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815. The assessment considers whether the Share Rights are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the Share Rights meet all the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the Share Rights are indexed to the Company’s own common stock, among other conditions for the equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, was conducted at the time of Share Rights issuance. Both the Convertible Promissory Note and the Share Rights meet the scope exception of ASC 815-10-15-74(a). The Company applied the guidance in ASC 470-20-25-2, “Debt With Conversion and Other Options”, requiring that the loan proceeds be allocated to the two instruments based on their relative fair values. At March 23, 2023, the Company allocated $53,191 of the proceeds to the First Polar Fund Convertible Note and $546,809 for the Share Rights. At April 4, 2023, the Company allocated $4,409 of the proceeds to the Asther Healthcare Convertible Note and $45,591 for the Share Rights. At April 25, 2023, the Company allocated $70,299 of the proceeds to the Second Polar Fund Convertible Note and $729,701 for the Share Rights. The Share Rights are recognized as a debt discount to the Convertible Promissory Notes and accreted through interest expense to the face value of the Convertible Promissory Notes utilizing an effective interest method. At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of the Convertible Promissory Notes (see Note 5) was $1,450,000, reflecting the fully amortized discount.

Offering Costs Associated with the Initial Public Offering

Offering costs consisted of legal, accounting, underwriting fees and other costs incurred through the Initial Public Offering that were directly related to the Initial Public Offering. Offering costs are allocated to the separable financial instruments issued in the Initial Public Offering based on a relative fair value basis, compared to total proceeds received. Offering costs associated with derivative warrant liabilities are expensed as incurred, and presented as other income (expenses) in the unaudited condensed statements of operations. Offering costs associated with the Class A ordinary shares issued were charged against the carrying value of Class A ordinary shares upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. The Company classified deferred underwriting commissions as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Class A ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, Class A ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 6,315,949 and 30,475,000 Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption, that are presented as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of the Company’s condensed balance sheets, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, 24,159,051 Class A ordinary shares were redeemed by shareholders.

Under ASC 480-10 S99, the Company has elected to recognize changes in the redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying value of the security to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. This method would view the end of the reporting period as if it were also the redemption date for the security. Effective with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Company recognized the accretion from initial book value to redemption amount, which resulted in charges against additional paid-in capital (to the extent available) and accumulated deficit.

Net Income (Loss) per Ordinary Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” The Company has two classes of shares, which are referred to as Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Income and losses are shared pro rata between the two classes of shares. This presentation assumes a business combination as the most likely outcome. Net income (loss) per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the respective period.

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share does not consider the effect of the warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering and the Private Placement Warrants to purchase 23,987,500 Class A ordinary shares in calculation of diluted income (loss) per share, because their exercise is contingent upon future events and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted net income (loss) per share is the same as basic net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Accretion associated with the redeemable Class A ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

The Company has considered the effect of Class B ordinary shares that were excluded from weighted average number as they were contingent on the exercise of over-allotment option by the underwriters. Since the contingency was satisfied, the Company included these shares in the weighted average number as of the beginning of the interim period to determine the dilutive impact of these shares.

	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023				For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
	Class A		Class B		Class A		Class B

Numerator:
Allocation of net income - basic and diluted	$	112,997	$	74,160	$	1,838,361	$	459,590

Denominator:
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted		11,608,672		7,618,750		30,475,000		7,618,750

Basic and diluted net income per ordinary share	$	0.01	$	0.01	$	0.06	$	0.06

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023						For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
	Class A			Class B			Class A		Class B

Numerator:
Allocation of net (loss) income - basic and diluted	$	(5,192,125	)	$	(3,211,764	)	$	10,175,157	$	2,543,789

Denominator:
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, basic and diluted		12,316,438			7,618,750			30,475,000		7,618,750

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per ordinary share	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.42	)	$	0.33	$	0.33

Income Taxes

The Company complies with the accounting and reporting requirements of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company’s management determined that the Cayman Islands is the Company’s only major tax jurisdiction. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position.

There is currently no taxation imposed on income by the government of the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Cayman federal income tax regulations, income taxes are not levied on the Company. Consequently, income taxes are not reflected in the Company’s financial statement. The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, ASC Subtopic 820, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” The ASU amends ASC 820 to clarify that a contractual sales restriction is not considered in measuring an equity security at fair value and to introduce new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions that are measured at fair value. The ASU applies to both holders and issuers of equity and equity-linked securities measured at fair value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on the financial statements.

The Company’s management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards updates, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

KERNEL GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

On February 5, 2021, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 30,475,000 Units, including 3,975,000 Over-Allotment Units, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of approximately $304.8 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $17.4 million, of which approximately $10.7 million was for deferred underwriting commissions. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, 24,159,051 Class A ordinary shares were redeemed by shareholders.

Each Unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant (“Public Warrant”). Each whole Public Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment (see Note 9).

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founder Shares

On November 19, 2020, the Original Sponsor paid an aggregate of $25,000 for certain expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for issuance of 5,750,000 Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”). On January 11, 2021, the Company effected a 1 for 1.25 forward stock split of the Founder Shares that increased the number of outstanding Founder Shares from 5,750,000 to 7,187,500 shares, and the Original Sponsor transferred an aggregate of 75,000 Founder Shares to the independent directors and an aggregate of 50,000 Founder Shares to the Former Advisors. On February 2, 2021, the Company effected a 1 for 1.06 forward stock split of the Founder Shares that increased the number of outstanding Founder Shares from 7,187,500 to 7,618,750 shares and resulted in the Original Sponsor holding 7,493,750 Founder Shares. The Original Sponsor agreed to forfeit up to an aggregate of <

SEC Form 10-Q filed by Kernel Group Holdings Inc.