WSJ explains why some critics say investing in these so-called blank-check companies isn’t worth the risk. Illustration: Zoë Soriano/WSJ Markets and economics are complex. It's easy to be ...

The other past winners are Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs) and Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future). Currently, the Blank Check community is in the process of deciding this year's winner.

A blank check company is a publicly-traded, developmental stage company that has no established business plan. It may be used to gather funds as a startup or, more likely, it has the intent to ...