References to "we", "us", "our" or the "Company" are to CENAQ Energy Corp., except where the context requires otherwise. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "continue," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings.





Overview


We are a newly organized blank check company incorporated as a Delaware corporation on June 24, 2020, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

Our sponsor is CENAQ Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The registration statement for the initial public offering was declared effective on August 12, 2021. On August 17, 2021, we consummated our initial public offering ("Public Offering" or "IPO") of 15,000,000 units, at $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $150,000,000. The underwriter was granted a 45-day option from the date of the final prospectus relating to the IPO to purchase up to 2,250,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any, at $10.00 per unit. On August 19, 2021, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment in full, generating additional gross proceeds of $22,500,000. Transaction costs of our IPO and the over-allotment amounted to $17,771,253 consisting of $3,450,000 of underwriting discount, $6,037,500 of deferred underwriting discount, an excess of fair value of the founder shares acquired by the Anchor Investors of $6,265,215, fair value of the 189,750 representative shares of $1,442,100 and $576,438 of other cash offering costs were charged to additional paid in capital.

Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, we consummated the private placement ("Private Placement") of 6,000,000 warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, generating gross proceeds to us of $6 million. On August 19, 2021, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment in full and consummated the private placement of additional 675,000 warrants, at a price of $1.00 per warrant, generating gross proceeds to us of $675,000.

Upon the closing of the IPO and the Private Placement, $174,225,000 ($10.10 per share) of the net proceeds of the sale of the Units in the IPO and the Private Placement were placed in the Trust Account.

If we are unable to complete an initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, until February 16, 2023, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay its franchise and income taxes as well as expenses relating to the administration of the Trust Account (less up to $100,000 of interest released to us to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders' rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject, in each case, to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Proposed Business Combination

Business Combination Agreement

On August 12, 2022, the Company, Verde Clean Fuels OpCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("OpCo"), and, for a limited purpose, the Sponsor, entered into a business combination agreement (as the same may be amended from time to time, the "Business Combination Agreement") with Bluescape Clean Fuels Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Holdings"), and Bluescape Clean Fuels Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Intermediate"). The transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement are collectively referred to herein as the "business combination." In connection with the closing of the business combination (the "Closing"), the Company will change its name to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. ("Verde Inc.").

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, during the period between the consummation of the business combination and the earlier of the five year anniversary from the consummation of the business combination or the date of the consummation of a sale of the post combination company (the "Earn Out Period"), OpCo may transfer up to 3,500,000 Class C common units of OpCo and a corresponding number of shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Class C common stock"), of the post combination company to Holdings within five business days after the occurrence of certain triggering events.





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Sponsor Letter


In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on August 12, 2022, the Sponsor entered into a letter agreement with Intermediate, Holdings and the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsor agreed to (i) forfeit 2,475,000 of its Private Placement Warrants, (ii) comply with the lock-provisions in the Letter Agreement, dated August 12, 2021, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and the Company's directors and officers, (iii) vote all of its shares of Class A common stock and Founder Shares in favor of the adoption and approval of the Business Combination Agreement and the business combination, (iv) not redeem any of its shares of Class A common stock in connection with such stockholder approval, (v) waive its anti-dilution rights with respect to its Founder Shares in connection with the consummation of the business combination and (vi) subject a portion of the shares of Class A common stock as a result of the conversion of its Founder Shares to forfeiture if certain triggering events do not occur during the Earn Out Period.





Underwriters Letter


In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on August 12, 2022, the Company, Intermediate and Holdings entered into a letter agreement with the underwriters, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) Imperial Capital, LLC agreed to forfeit all of its 1,423,125 Private Placement Warrants and all of its 156,543 Representative Shares, (ii) I-Bankers Securities, Inc. agreed to forfeit all of its 301,875 Private Placement Warrants and all of its 33,207 Representative Shares and (iii) the underwriters agreed to reduce their deferred underwriting fees related to the IPO from $6,037,500 to $4,312,500.





Subscription Agreements



In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on August 12, 2022, the Company entered into separate subscription agreements with certain investors (the "PIPE Investors"), pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell to the PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $80,000,000 in a private placement (the "PIPE Financing"). Of the $80,000,000 of commitments, Holdings has agreed to purchase 800,000 shares to be sold in the PIPE Financing for an aggregate commitment of $8,000,000. Arb Clean Fuels Management LLC ("Arb Clean Fuels"), an entity affiliated with a member of the Sponsor, has agreed to purchase 7,000,000 shares to be sold in the PIPE Financing for an aggregate commitment of $70,000,000; provided, that, to the extent funds in the Trust Account immediately prior to the consummation of the business combination, after giving effect to the Company stockholders' redemption rights, exceed $17,420,000, each $10.00 increment of such excess funds shall reduce Arb Clean Fuels' commitment by $10.00 up to a maximum reduction of $20,000,000. Additionally, an entity unaffiliated with the Sponsor has agreed to purchase 200,000 shares for an aggregate commitment of $2,000,000.





Lock-Up Agreement


In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, on August 12, 2022, Holdings entered into a Lock-Up Agreement, pursuant to which Holdings agreed to subject its shares of common stock received in connection with the business combination to the lock-up provisions therein.

Agreements to be Executed at Closing

The Business Combination Agreement also contemplates the execution by the parties of various agreements at the Closing, including, among others, the below.





Tax Receivable Agreement



In connection with the business combination, the Company will enter into the tax receivable agreement (the "Tax Receivable Agreement") with Holdings (together with its permitted transferees, the "TRA Holders," and each a "TRA Holder") and the Agent (as defined therein), which will generally provide for the payment by Verde Inc. to each TRA Holder of 85% of the net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax and franchise tax (computed using simplifying assumptions to address the impact of state and local taxes) that Verde Inc. realizes (or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances) in periods after the business combination as a result of (i) certain increases in tax basis that occur as a result of Verde Inc.'s acquisition (or deemed acquisition for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of all or a portion of such TRA Holder's Class C OpCo Units pursuant to an OpCo Holder Exchange set forth in the A&R LLC Agreement, and (ii) imputed interest deemed to be paid by Verde Inc. as a result of, and additional tax basis arising from, any payments Verde Inc. makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Verde Inc. will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these net cash savings.





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Payments generally will be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement as Verde Inc. realizes actual cash tax savings in periods after the consummation of the business combination from the tax benefits covered by the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, if the Tax Receivable Agreement terminates early (at Verde Inc.'s election or due to other circumstances, including Verde Inc.'s breach of a material obligation thereunder or upon certain changes of control described in the Tax Receivable Agreement), Verde Inc. would be required to make an immediate payment to each TRA Holder equal to the present value of the anticipated future payments to be made by it under the Tax Receivable Agreement (based upon certain valuation assumptions and deemed events set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement), such payments not to exceed $50 million, in the aggregate, in the case of certain changes of control.

Verde Inc. will depend on OpCo to make distributions to Verde Inc. in an amount sufficient to cover Verde Inc.'s obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

A&R LLC Agreement


Following the Closing, Verde Inc. will operate its business through OpCo. On the Closing Date, Verde Inc. and Holdings will enter into an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of OpCo (the "A&R LLC Agreement"). The A&R LLC Agreement will provide, among other things, that each Class C OpCo Unit will be exchangeable, subject to certain conditions, for one share of Class A common stock, and a corresponding share of Class C common stock will be cancelled in connection with such exchange, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the A&R LLC Agreement.

A&R Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Closing, that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated August 17, 2021 (the "IPO Registration Rights Agreement") will be amended and restated and Verde Inc., certain stockholders of CENAQ prior to the Closing (the "Initial Holders") and certain stockholders receiving Class A common stock and Class C common stock pursuant to the business combination (the "New Holders" and together with the Initial Holders, the "Reg Rights Holders") will enter into an amended and restated IPO Registration Rights Agreement (the "A&R Registration Rights Agreement").

Pursuant to the A&R Registration Rights Agreement, Verde Inc. will agree that, within thirty (30) days after the Closing, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC (at Verde Inc.'s sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of certain securities held by or issuable to the Reg Rights Holders (the "Resale Registration Statement"), and Verde Inc. will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Resale Registration Statement declared effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. In certain circumstances, the Reg Rights Holders can demand Verde Inc.'s assistance with underwritten offerings and block trades, and the Reg Rights Holders will be entitled to certain piggyback registration rights.





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Results of Operations



As of September 30, 2022, we have not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from June 24, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2022 relates to our formation and Public Offering, and, since the completion of the IPO, searching for a target to consummate a Business Combination. We will not generate any operating revenues until after the completion of a Business Combination, at the earliest. We will generate non-operating income in the form of interest income from the proceeds derived from the Public Offering and placed in the Trust Account (defined below).

For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of $2,387,015. We incurred $3,013,729 of general and administrative expenses, which includes $2,501,501 in costs related to identifying a target business. We also incurred $3,150 of interest expense on promissory note from related party and $126,744 of provision for income taxes. We earned interest income of $757,106 and $498 of unrealized loss on marketable securities held in Trust Account.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had a net loss of $3,566,151. We incurred $4,408,361 of general and administrative expenses, which includes $3,410,564 in costs related to identifying a target business. We also incurred $4,212 of interest expense on promissory note from related party and $131,832 of provision for income taxes. We earned interest income of $978,254 on marketable securities held in Trust Account.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $67,295, which consists of formation and operating costs of $68,294 and interest income of $999.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $72,647, which consists of formation and operating costs of $73,646 and interest income of $999.





Liquidity and Going Concern



As of September 30, 2022, we had $8,242 in our operating bank account, and working capital deficit of $3,600,490.

Until the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will be using the funds not held in the Trust Account for identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, performing due diligence on prospective target businesses, paying for travel expenditures, selecting the target business to acquire, and structuring, negotiating and consummating the Business Combination.

In order to finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Company's Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of the Company's officers and directors committed to provide the Company with Working Capital Loans up to $1,500,000, as defined later (see Note 5). As of the date of the filing of these financial statements, the period of time for the Company to complete a business combination under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation is extended for a period of 3 months from November 16, 2022 to February 16, 2023. In connection with the Extension, the Sponsor has deposited $1,725,000, representing 1% of the gross proceeds of the IPO, into the Trust Account for its public stockholders. This commitment extends through February 16, 2023. To date, there were no amounts outstanding under any Working Capital Loans.

If the Company's estimate of the costs of identifying a target business, undertaking in-depth due diligence and negotiating a Business Combination are less than the actual amount necessary to do so, the Company may have insufficient funds available to operate its business prior to the Business Combination. Moreover, the Company may need to obtain additional financing either to complete its Business Combination or because it becomes obligated to redeem a significant number of its public shares upon consummation of the Business Combination, in which case the Company may issue additional securities or incur debt in connection with such Business Combination. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the Company would only complete such financing simultaneously with the completion of the Business Combination. If the Company is unable to complete its Business Combination because it does not have sufficient funds available to it, the Company will be forced to cease operations and liquidate the Trust Account. In addition, following the Business Combination, if cash on hand is insufficient, the Company may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet its obligations.

We cannot assure you that our plans to raise capital or to consummate an initial business combination will be successful. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which is considered to be one year from the issuance of the financial statements. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q do not include any adjustments that might result from our inability to continue as a going concern.

In connection with the Company's assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB's Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-15, "Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern," management has determined that if the Company is unable to complete a Business Combination by February 16, 2023, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raise 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 February 16, 2023.





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Underwriters agreement


We granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of our Public Offering to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 19, 2021, the over-allotments were exercised in full.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering and the over-allotment, the underwriters were paid an underwriting discount of 2% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering and the over-allotment, or $3,450,000. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering and the over-allotment upon the completion of our initial Business Combination.





Contractual Obligations


As of September 30, 2022, we did not have any long-term debt, capital or operating lease obligations.





Critical Accounting Policies



Use of Estimates


The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is possible that the estimates management considered could possibly change due to one or more future events. The most significant estimates that affected the financial statements as of September 30, 2022 are the calculations of the fair values of the over-allotment option, fair values of the representative shares and the fair values of the anchor shares. These estimates are uncertain due to the assumptions used in the stock valuations. These estimates and assumptions have not changed significantly during the year. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following as our critical accounting policies:

Offering Costs associated with the Initial Public Offering

Offering costs consist of underwriting, legal, accounting and other expenses incurred through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the IPO. We comply with the requirements of the ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") Topic 5A "Expenses of Offering". Offering costs are allocated to the separable financial instruments, if any, issued in the IPO based on a relative fair value basis compared to total proceeds received.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for the Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity." Common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable common stock (including common stock 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, common stock is classified as stockholders' equity.

We recognize changes in redemption value immediately as they occur. Immediately upon the closing of the IPO, we recognized the subsequent re-measurement under ASC 480-10-S99 from initial carrying amount to redemption value. The change in the carrying value of redeemable common stock resulted in charges against additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit.





Net Loss Per Common stock


We have two classes of common stock, which are referred to as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Income and losses are allocated on pro rata basis between redeemable and non-redeemable common stock. The 19,612,500 potential common shares for outstanding warrants to purchase our stock were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 because the warrants are contingently exercisable, and the contingencies have not yet been met. As a result, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share for the periods.





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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-06, Debt -debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging -Contracts in Entity' Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity' Own Equity ("ASU 2020-06"), which simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity-linked contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The guidance was adopted starting January 1, 2022. Adoption of the ASU did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer's Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This guidance clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting of an issuer's accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. The guidance was adopted starting January 1, 2022. Adoption of the ASU did not impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments and Contractual Obligations





Registration Rights


The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans (and any shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and warrants that may be issued upon conversion of Working Capital Loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective date of the Public Offering, requiring us to register such securities for resale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to our Class A common stock). The holders of the majority of these securities are entitled to make up to three demands, excluding short form demands, that we register such securities. In addition, the holders have certain "piggy-back" registration rights with respect to registration statements filed subsequent to the completion of the initial Business Combination and rights to require us to register for resale such securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. However, the registration rights agreement provides that we will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period, which occurs (i) in the case of the Founder Shares, on the earlier of (A) six months after the completion of the initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the initial Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of our Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 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 at least 75 days after the initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property and (ii) in the case of the Private Placement Warrants and the respective Class A common stock underlying such warrants, 30 days after the completion of the initial Business Combination. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.





Underwriters Agreement


We granted the underwriters a 45-day option from the date of the Public Offering to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 units to cover over-allotments, if any. On August 19, 2021, the over-allotments were exercised in full.

Simultaneously with the closing of the Public Offering and the over-allotment, the underwriters were paid an underwriting discount of 2% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering and the over-allotment, or $3,450,000. Additionally, the underwriters will be entitled to a deferred underwriting discount of 3.5% of the gross proceeds of the Public Offering and the over-allotment upon the completion of our initial Business Combination.





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JOBS Act


On April 5, 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We qualify as an "emerging growth company" and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We have elected to irrevocably opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time public companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another emerging growth company that has not opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accountant standards used.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an "emerging growth company", we choose to rely on such exemptions we may not be required to, among other things, (i) provide an auditor's attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404, (ii) provide all of the compensation disclosure that may be required of non-emerging growth public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, (iii) comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis), and (iv) disclose certain executive compensation related items such as the correlation between executive compensation and performance and comparisons of the CEO's compensation to median employee compensation. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we are no longer an "emerging growth company," whichever is earlier.

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