Raising to a higher AS was crucial. It eliminates the risk of an immediate RS upon merger. Why buy a shell when you have no shares available for future financing? Had he left it the AS would have been pretty much maxed out. Now when he hands over control he can deliver a true control block of shares so holders like you aren’t sitting on the board of directors Hahahah (friendly joke)... it is far more attractive now to buyers. Only 1/3 of the shares are outstanding with an additional 50 million in the treasury. Float remains the same while the buyers who spend $500k on the vehicle maintain full control. It was a great move.
Now why specifically 75 million remains a mystery. I would have went for 100 million myself, it’s almost as if he tailored it for a client. Interesting speculation.