What are blank cheque companies?

What if I tell you: Shell companies with no commercial operations are formed to raise capital through an IPO for acquiring an existing company. What if I also tell you that even retail investors can invest in these blank cheque companies. Well, I am talking about Special Purpose Acquisition Company shortly called as SPAC. SPACs have been around in the US for a very long time but SPAC deals in India are still at a nascent stage becoming popular recently mostly due to abundant dry powder post covid. However, it does sound risky isn’t it? The complexity of SPAC deals has challenges. To understand more about these blank cheque companies and regulatory framework around it, Mint's Nasrin Sultana is joined by Vikas Bagaria, partner Deloitte India.