10-K: K&F Growth Acquisition II Faces Going Concern Doubt
Annual Report
K&F Growth Acquisition Corp. II, a SPAC, reported a net income of $10.2 million for 2025, primarily from trust account interest, but faces substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern without a business combination by November 2026.
Summary
- K&F Growth Acquisition Corp. II (the Company) is a blank check company (SPAC) incorporated on July 2, 2024, with the purpose of effecting a Business Combination.
- The Company consummated its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on February 6, 2025, raising $287,500,000 from Public Units and $9,227,270 from Private Placement Units, totaling $296,727,270 in gross proceeds.
- A total of $288,937,500 was initially placed in a Trust Account, which grew to $299,876,159 by December 31, 2025, primarily due to interest income.
- The Company reported a net income of $10,196,396 for the year ended December 31, 2025, consisting mainly of $10,938,659 in interest earned on the Trust Account, offset by $742,263 in operating costs.
- Management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern due to its current lack of liquidity to sustain operations and the mandatory liquidation deadline if a Business Combination is not completed.
- The Company must complete an initial Business Combination by November 6, 2026 (21 months from the IPO closing), or it will liquidate and redeem its Public Shares.
- The redemption price for Public Shares was approximately $10.43 per share as of December 31, 2025.
- The management team, including Co-CEOs Edward King and Daniel Fetters, has prior SPAC experience, having founded Acies I, which completed a $1.1 billion Business Combination with PlayStudios, Inc. in 2021.
- A class action lawsuit related to the Acies I/PlayStudios Business Combination, naming Mr. King, Mr. Fetters, and director James Murren as co-defendants, was settled and dismissed with prejudice on December 7, 2025.
- The common stock of the combined company, PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc., traded at $0.4301 per share on Nasdaq as of March 26, 2026, indicating significant underperformance post-combination.
- The Company's search for a target business has broadened beyond the initial focus on experiential entertainment to other industries, targeting companies with an equity valuation greater than $1.0 billion.
- Public Shareholders face potential dilution from the conversion of Founder Shares (Class B Ordinary Shares) and Private Placement Rights, which can convert into Class A Ordinary Shares at a ratio greater than one-for-one under certain anti-dilution provisions.
- A deferred underwriting fee of $10,062,500 is payable upon the completion of an initial Business Combination.
Sentiment
Score: 3
Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this filing with a negative sentiment due to the explicit 'going concern' warning, the lack of operational revenue, and the poor post-combination performance of the management's previous SPAC target, PlayStudios, Inc. While the management team is experienced and the trust account is substantial, these significant red flags outweigh the positives.
Positives
- The Company successfully completed its IPO and private placement, securing a substantial Trust Account balance of $299,876,159 as of December 31, 2025.
- The management team possesses extensive experience in investment banking, M&A, and leading public and private companies, with a track record of founding a successful SPAC (Acies I).
- The Company has broadened its search criteria for target businesses, increasing the pool of potential acquisition candidates.
- The Company generated a net income of $10,196,396 for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily from interest earned on the Trust Account.
- The Company has established robust corporate governance structures, including independent Audit and Compensation Committees, and adopted a Code of Ethics, Insider Trading Policy, and Executive Compensation Clawback Policy.
Negatives
- Management has identified substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern due to insufficient liquidity outside the Trust Account and the impending Business Combination deadline.
- The Company has no operating revenues and its net income is solely derived from interest on the Trust Account, highlighting its pre-operational status.
- The past performance of the management team's previous SPAC, Acies I, resulted in PlayStudios, Inc.'s common stock trading at $0.4301 per share as of March 26, 2026, significantly below typical IPO pricing, and involved a class action lawsuit.
- Public Shareholders face significant potential dilution from the conversion of Founder Shares and Private Placement Rights, which could convert at a greater than one-for-one ratio.
- A deferred underwriting fee of $10,062,500 is contingent upon and payable only after the completion of an initial Business Combination, reducing the funds available for the target.
- Public Shareholders have limited voting rights on the appointment and removal of directors prior to the consummation of an initial Business Combination, as these rights are held by Class B Ordinary Shareholders (Sponsor).
Risks
- The Company is a blank check company with no operating history or revenues, making its ability to achieve its business objective of completing a Business Combination uncertain.
- There is a risk of not completing an initial Business Combination within the Combination Period (by November 6, 2026), which would lead to liquidation and redemption of Public Shares, with Rights expiring worthless.
- The Company may be unable to obtain additional financing required to complete a Business Combination or fund the operations and growth of a target business, potentially forcing restructuring or abandonment of a transaction.
- Public Shareholders may experience significant dilution if the Company issues additional Ordinary Shares or equity-linked securities to complete a Business Combination, or due to the anti-dilution provisions of Founder Shares.
- Increased competition among SPACs for attractive target businesses may lead to higher acquisition costs or an inability to find a suitable target.
- The Trust Account proceeds could be reduced by claims from third-party creditors, potentially leading to Public Shareholders receiving less than the stated redemption price upon liquidation.
- Current global geopolitical conditions and armed conflicts (e.g., Ukraine/Russia, Middle East) could materially adversely affect the search for a Business Combination target or the performance of a post-combination company.
- Cybersecurity incidents or attacks could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption, financial loss, and impact the ability to consummate a Business Combination.
- The Company could be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act, imposing burdensome compliance requirements and restricting its activities.
- Conflicts of interest may arise for the Sponsor, officers, and directors due to their ownership interests and other business affiliations, potentially influencing Business Combination decisions.
- The share price of the post-Business Combination company may be less than the redemption price of the Public Shares, as demonstrated by the previous SPAC's target (PlayStudios).
- The Company may reincorporate in another jurisdiction, potentially resulting in taxes for shareholders or Rights holders and changes in governing laws.
- Nasdaq may delist the Company's securities if it fails to complete a Business Combination within the 36-month requirement, limiting liquidity for shareholders.
- The Rights may expire worthless if an initial Business Combination is not completed within the Combination Period, as holders will not receive funds from the Trust Account for them.
Future Outlook
The Company's future outlook is entirely dependent on successfully completing an initial Business Combination by November 6, 2026. Management may seek shareholder approval to extend this Combination Period, which would offer Public Shareholders redemption rights. The Company may also pursue additional financing through debt or equity issuances to fund a Business Combination or working capital needs. The strategy remains to identify, acquire, and build a company in the public markets, leveraging the management team's expertise and network.
Management Comments
- Our Management Team consists of Edward King and Daniel Fetters, who have many years of experience in structuring and negotiating complex corporate capital markets and mergers and acquisitions, operating and leading public companies, and leading private companies.
- We believe our complementary team provides us a distinct advantage to identify a target and execute a successful Business Combination.
- We believe we can serve as a highly valued resource to and can work effectively with the management team of our Business Combination partner and provide them with significant competitive insights and help create enduring shareholder value.
- We expect that our expertise will be invaluable to management teams in accessing the capital markets and driving value for shareholders long term.
- We expect that value creation in the public markets from the initial Business Combination will be achieved by our intended upfront implementation of rigorous discipline and creativity to the valuation, terms and conditions of the merger transaction to ensure alignment of economic incentives and creation of an attractive investment thesis.
Industry Context
StockSavvy.ai notes that the SPAC market is highly competitive, with numerous entities seeking Business Combination opportunities. The filing highlights that attractive targets may become scarcer, and target companies may demand improved financial terms. The Company's previous SPAC, Acies I, merged with PlayStudios, Inc., whose common stock subsequently traded at $0.4301 per share, significantly below typical IPO prices, underscoring the risk of post-Business Combination underperformance prevalent in the SPAC industry.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- The Company's previous SPAC, Acies I, completed a $1.1 billion Business Combination with PlayStudios, Inc. in 2021. However, as of March 26, 2026, PlayStudios, Inc.'s common stock traded at $0.4301 per share on Nasdaq, which is substantially less than the typical $10 IPO price for SPACs, indicating significant underperformance compared to industry expectations for successful SPAC mergers.
- The Company operates under the Nasdaq 36-Month Requirement, mandating completion of a Business Combination within 36 months of its IPO registration statement's effectiveness, a standard applicable to all SPACs listed on Nasdaq.
- The target equity value criterion of 'greater than $1 billion' is a common, but ambitious, benchmark for SPACs, aiming for larger, more established businesses than some smaller SPACs might pursue.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Committee Establishment | Established an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, both comprised solely of independent directors (Ms. Arpin, Mr. Murren, Mr. Freeman for Audit; Ms. Arpin, Mr. Freeman for Compensation). | 2025-02-04 | Enhances oversight of financial reporting, compliance, and executive compensation, aligning with Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules, promoting investor confidence. |
| Policy Adoption | Adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, an Insider Trading Policy, and an Executive Compensation Clawback Policy. | 2025-02-04 | Strengthens ethical conduct, prevents insider trading, and allows for recovery of erroneously awarded compensation, improving corporate accountability and compliance with regulatory requirements like SEC Rule 10D-1 and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. |
| Controlled Company Status | Nasdaq considers the Company a 'controlled company' due to Class B Ordinary Shareholders' exclusive right to vote on director appointments prior to a Business Combination, though the Company does not currently intend to rely on this exemption. | N/A | Potentially reduces shareholder protections if the Company were to rely on the exemption, as it would not be subject to all Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, but currently, the Company does not intend to use this exemption. |
Legal Proceedings
- A class action lawsuit alleging misrepresentations and omissions in connection with the Business Combination of Acies I (management's previous SPAC) with PlayStudios, Inc. was filed in April 2022, naming Edward King, Daniel Fetters, and James Murren as co-defendants. The parties reached an agreement in principle to settle on January 20, 2025, and the settlement received final approval and dismissal with prejudice on December 7, 2025.
Related Party Transactions
- The Sponsor, K&F Growth Acquisition LLC II, paid $25,000 for 9,583,333 Founder Shares (Class B Ordinary Shares) on July 2, 2024.
- The Sponsor purchased 495,447 Private Placement Units at $10.00 per unit, generating $4,954,470 in gross proceeds, simultaneously with the IPO.
- The Company reimburses the Sponsor $25,000 per month for office space, utilities, and administrative support, totaling $275,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025.
- The Sponsor previously loaned the Company up to $300,000 under an IPO Promissory Note to cover offering expenses, which was fully repaid on February 6, 2025.
- The Sponsor or its affiliates, or certain officers and directors, may provide Working Capital Loans (up to $1,500,000) to finance transaction costs, convertible into units at $10.00 per unit.
- Independent directors received an indirect interest in 25,000 Founder Shares each through membership interests in the Sponsor.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Face significant risk of investment loss if a Business Combination is not completed, as Public Shares would be redeemed at approximately $10.43 per share (subject to taxes and creditor claims), and Rights would expire worthless. Potential for substantial dilution from Founder Shares and Private Placement Rights conversion. Limited voting power on director appointments pre-Business Combination.
- Sponsor and Management Team: Stand to profit substantially from their Founder Shares and Private Placement Units upon a successful Business Combination, even if the public share price declines. They have waived redemption rights on their Founder Shares and Private Placement Shares.
- Underwriters: Are entitled to a deferred underwriting fee of $10,062,500 upon the completion of an initial Business Combination, creating an incentive for a deal to close.
- Creditors: Claims against the Company could reduce the funds available in the Trust Account for Public Shareholders upon liquidation, despite the Sponsor's indemnification agreement (which is not assured to be satisfied).
Next Steps
- Identify and consummate an initial Business Combination with one or more businesses by November 6, 2026.
- Potentially seek shareholder approval to amend the Amended and Restated Articles to extend the Combination Period, which would offer Public Shareholders redemption rights.
- Explore additional financing options, including debt or equity issuances, to support a Business Combination or working capital needs.
- Continue to evaluate target businesses based on criteria such as equity valuation greater than $1 billion, defensible business models, and strong management.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2024-07-02 | Company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company. |
| 2024-10-31 | IPO Registration Statement on Form S-1 initially filed with the SEC. |
| 2024-12-31 | Fiscal year end for 2024. |
| 2025-01-20 | Agreement in principle reached to settle the class action lawsuit related to PlayStudios, Inc. Business Combination. |
| 2025-02-04 | IPO Registration Statement declared effective; Administrative Services Agreement, Share Rights Agreement, Letter Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, Private Placement Units Purchase Agreements, Underwriting Agreement, Clawback Policy, and Insider Trading Policy adopted/entered. |
| 2025-02-05 | Public Units commenced public trading on Nasdaq. |
| 2025-02-06 | Initial Public Offering (IPO) consummated; Private Placement of units completed. |
| 2025-03-13 | Public Shares and Public Rights commenced separate public trading on Nasdaq. |
| 2025-06-30 | Last business day of the Company's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, used for market value calculation. |
| 2025-12-07 | Settlement of the PlayStudios class action lawsuit received final approval and the case was dismissed with prejudice. |
| 2025-12-31 | Fiscal year end for 2025. |
| 2026-03-27 | Date of filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
| 2026-11-06 | End of the Combination Period (21 months from IPO closing) by which an initial Business Combination must be consummated. |
| 2030-02-06 | Earliest date for the Company's emerging growth company status to end. |
Recommendation
sellA seasoned investor or institution would likely recommend 'sell' or 'strong sell' for K&F Growth Acquisition Corp. II based on this filing. The explicit 'substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern' is a critical red flag, indicating a high risk of liquidation. While the Trust Account holds significant funds, the lack of operating revenue, the impending deadline for a Business Combination, and the poor post-combination performance of the management team's previous SPAC (PlayStudios, Inc. trading at $0.43) collectively point to a highly speculative and unfavorable investment outlook. The potential for significant dilution and the inherent risks of the SPAC model, exacerbated by the going concern warning, make this a high-risk proposition with limited upside potential relative to the downside.
Keywords
SPAC, K&F Growth Acquisition Corp. II, Business Combination, 10-K, SEC filing, Trust Account, redemption, dilution, going concern, financial report, corporate governance, risk factors, Class A Ordinary Shares, Rights, Edward King, Daniel Fetters, PlayStudios, Nasdaq
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