- Business
- PowerUp Acquisition Corp. (PWUPW) operates as a blank check company, or special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), incorporated in the Cayman Islands in 2021 and headquartered at 188 Grand Street, Unit 195, New York, NY, focused on effecting mergers, share exchanges, asset acquisitions, share purchases, reorganizations, or similar business combinations with one or more businesses, initially targeting sectors including interactive media, digital media, sports, entertainment, leisure, video gaming, gaming-adjacent opportunities, and metaverse-related enterprises; it provides emerging companies streamlined access to public markets through its Nasdaq-listed structure, supported by trust accounts holding IPO proceeds, comprehensive due diligence processes, robust governance, and a management team experienced in capital markets transactions. The company raised $287.5 million in its September 2021 initial public offering, priced at $10 per unit comprising one Class A ordinary share and one-half of a redeemable warrant. In a major strategic development, PowerUp completed a business combination with Aspire Biopharma, Inc. on February 17, 2025, following shareholder approval on January 31, 2025, valuing Aspire at a pre-money equity of approximately $316 million and resulting in Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. listing on Nasdaq under tickers ASBP and ASBPW as of February 20, 2025; this reverse merger transaction shifted the combined entity toward biopharmaceutical operations emphasizing Aspire's patented sublingual drug delivery technology for FDA-approved drugs, nutraceuticals, supplements, and fast-track aspirin products for cardiac emergencies, with prior extensions of its combination deadline to facilitate the deal.