Hennessy Capital VIII prices upsized $210m SPAC IPO

Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VIII, a newly formed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), has priced an upsized initial public offering of 21 million units at $10.00 per unit, raising $210 million. The company disclosed that trading of the units on the Nasdaq Global Market is scheduled to begin on Thursday, February 5, 2026, under the ticker symbol “HCICU”. The offering, originally sized smaller, was increased prior to pricing.

The IPO is expected to close on February 6, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. A registration statement for the securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2026, clearing the way for the public offering. The transaction structure follows the standard SPAC model, providing cash in trust to fund a future merger or similar business combination.

Each unit in Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VIII consists of one Class A ordinary share and one right to receive one‑twelfth of a Class A ordinary share upon consummation of the company’s initial business combination. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and the rights are expected to list on Nasdaq under the symbols “HCIC” and “HCICR”, respectively. Until that separation occurs, investors will trade the bundled HCICU units.

The SPAC has also granted underwriters a 45‑day option to purchase up to an additional 3,150,000 units at the IPO price to cover any over‑allotments. If fully exercised, that option would increase gross proceeds beyond the initial $210 million. The units, shares and rights are being offered only by means of a prospectus available from the underwriting syndicate.

Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VIII was founded by Daniel J. Hennessy as a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. While the company may pursue an acquisition in any sector, it stated that it intends to focus its search on targets in the industrial innovation and energy transition sectors.

Barclays Capital Inc. and Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of Cohen & Company Securities, LLC, are acting as joint lead book‑running managers for the offering. Academy Securities, Inc. is serving as co‑manager. The company emphasised that the press release announcing the pricing does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction where such actions would be unlawful prior to proper registration or qualification.