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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report:
Commission File Number:
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not applicable |
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(Translation of Registrant’s name into English) |
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(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Address of principal executive offices)
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone:
(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of the issuer as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting over Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
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International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐ |
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Other ☐ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
On August 25, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), noco-noco Inc. (formerly known as Prime Number Holding Limited), an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company” or “PubCo”), consummated the previously announced Business Combination (defined below). The Business Combination was announced on December 29, 2022, where PubCo, Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (“PNAC”), Prime Number Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”), Prime Number New Sub Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“New SubCo”), NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD., a Singapore private company limited by shares (“noco-noco”), and certain shareholders of noco-noco collectively holding a controlling interest (together with other shareholders of noco-noco subsequently joining the transactions, the “Sellers”), entered into a business combination agreement (“Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, PNAC proposed to enter into a business combination with noco-noco involving a merger and a share exchange, among which: (i) Merger Sub would merge with and into PNAC, with PNAC as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (the “Merger”), (ii) New SubCo would acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of noco-noco from the Sellers, and in exchange, PubCo would issue to the Sellers the ordinary shares of PubCo, with noco-noco becoming a subsidiary of New SubCo and an indirect subsidiary of PubCo (the “Share Exchange”, and together with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”). Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each of PNAC and noco-noco would become a subsidiary of PubCo, and PNAC stockholders and the Sellers would receive ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo (“PubCo Ordinary Shares”) as consideration and become the shareholders of PubCo. The Merger was consummated on August 24, 2023, and the Share Exchange and Business Combination were consummated on the Closing Date.
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, upon the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) each PNAC unit (“PNAC Units”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was automatically detached and the holder thereof was deemed to hold one share of PNAC Class A Common Stock (defined below), one half of PNAC Warrant (defined below), and one PNAC Right (defined below); (ii) each share of PNAC Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“PNAC Class A Common Stock”, together with PNAC Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, the “PNAC Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was canceled in exchange for the right to receive one PubCo Ordinary Share, (iii) each PNAC warrant (“PNAC Warrant”) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger ceased to be a warrant with respect to PNAC Common Stock and was assumed by PubCo and converted into a warrant of PubCo (“PubCo Warrant”) to purchase one PubCo Ordinary Share subject to substantially the same terms and conditions prior to the effective time of the Merger; and (iv) each PNAC Right (“PNAC Right”) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was cancelled in exchange for the right to receive one-eighth (1/8) of one PubCo Ordinary Share. In addition, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, upon the consummation of the Share Exchange (i) New SubCo acquired all the outstanding shares of noco-noco (“noco-noco Shares”) from the Sellers, (ii) in exchange, each Seller received such number of newly issued PubCo Ordinary Share that was equal to the product of (a) the quotient of (i) $1,350,000,000 (the “noco- noco Valuation”), divided by (ii) the price per PubCo Ordinary Share that equals to the redemption price of each share of PNAC Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination (the “PubCo Per Share Price”), multiplied by (b) such Seller’s Pro Rata Portion as set out in the Allocation Schedule of the Business Combination Agreement.
On August 28, 2023, the PubCo Ordinary Shares and PubCo Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW”, respectively.
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INTRODUCTION
Frequently Used Terms
In this annual report on Form 20-F (this “Report”), unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “noco-noco” and references to “we,” “us,” or similar such references should be understood to be references to noco-noco Inc. and its subsidiaries. When this Report refers to “noco-noco” “we,” “us,” or similar such references in the context of discussing noco-noco Pte. Ltd.’s business or other affairs prior to the consummation of the Business Combination on August 25, 2023, it refers to the business of noco-noco Pte. Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Following the date of consummation of the Business Combination, references to “noco-noco” “we,” “us,” or similar such references should be understood to refer to noco-noco Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to “PNAC” should be understood to refer to Prime Number Acquisition I Corp.
Certain amounts and percentages that appear in this Report may not sum due to rounding.
Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, in this Report:
“3DOM Alliance” means 3DOM Alliance Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Japan, which is the majority shareholder of noco-noco;
"Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association" means the amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company adopted on August 18, 2023 and which took effect as of August 25, 2023;
“Business Combination” has the meaning ascribed to it in the section entitled “Explanatory Note.”;
“Business Combination Agreement” means the business combination agreement, dated December 29, 2022 (as may be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among PubCo, PNAC, Merger Sub, New SubCo, noco-noco and certain shareholders of noco-noco;
“Closing” means the closing of the Business Combination;
“Closing Date” means the date of the Closing;
“ERF” means Emissions Reduction Fund, one of the schemes regulated by the CER;
“ESS” means energy storage system, a device or group of devices assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time;
“JOBS Act” means the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012;
“LOI” means letter of intent;
“Merger” means the merger between PNAC and Merger Sub, with PNAC being the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo;
“Merger Closing” means the closing of the Merger;
“Merger Effective Time” means the effective time of the Merger, being the time of the Certificate of Merger (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) being accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later time as may be specified in the Certificate of Merger;
“Merger Sub” means Prime Number Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation;
“MOU” means memorandum of understanding;
“Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market;
“New SubCo” means Prime Number New Sub Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares;
“noco-noco” means NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD., a Singapore private company limited by shares, or as the context requires, NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD. and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities;
“noco-noco Shares” means the outstanding ordinary shares of noco-noco;
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“noco-noco Valuation” means $1,350,000,000;
“PNG” means Papua New Guinea;
“PubCo” means prior to the Closing, Prime Number Holding Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands; and upon and following the Closing, noco-noco Inc., an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands;
“PubCo Per Share Price” means the price per PubCo Ordinary Share that equal to the redemption price of each share of PNAC public share in connection with the Business Combination;
“Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Company, having a par value of $0.0001 each;
“R&D” means research and development;
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement to be entered between PubCo, the Sponsors and certain shareholders of noco-noco pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement upon closing;
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;
“Sellers” means the shareholders of noco-noco (immediately prior to the Share Exchange) participating in the Share Exchange. “shareholders” or “stockholders” means the holders of shares or stocks of a company;
“Share Exchange” means the transaction pursuant to which New SubCo will acquire issued and outstanding shares of noco-noco from the Sellers, in exchange, PubCo will issue to the Sellers the PubCo Ordinary Shares;
“Share Exchange Closing” means the closing of the Share Exchange;
“Singapore Dollars” and “S$” means Singapore dollars, the legal currency of Singapore;
“Transaction Financing” means equity financing that, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, PubCo, PNAC and the New SubCo shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain, on the terms mutually agreed to by noco-noco and PNAC, in an amount that is at least $20,000,000 prior to or upon the Share Exchange Closing; and
“U.S. Dollars,” “US$” and “$” means United States dollars, the legal currency of the United States;
“U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Frequently Used Technical Terms
Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, in this Report:
“ACCUs” means Australian Carbon Credit Units, the national carbon credits issued by Australian regulators which can be obtained through establishing ERF projects;
“BEV” means battery electric vehicles, vehicles that exclusively use chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs; and “EV” means electric vehicles; and
“OEM” means original equipment manufacturer.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains or may contain forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include information about our possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify the forward- looking statements, but absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The risk factors and cautionary language referred to or incorporated by reference in this Report provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in our forward-looking statements, including among other things, the matters set forth in the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” of this Report.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Report, or the documents to which we refer readers in this Report, to reflect any change in our expectations with respect to such statements or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based.
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PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Our business and our industry are subject to significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this Report and in our other filings with the SEC, including the following risk factors, in evaluating our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results, and growth prospects would likely be materially and adversely affected. This Report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summary description sets forth an overview of the material risks we are exposed to in the normal course of our business activities. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full risk factor discussion immediately following this summary description. We encourage you to read the full risk factor discussion carefully.
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by any of the following material risks:
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Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We are an early stage company with a history of financial losses and our battery business expects to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future.
We are engaged in (i) leasing of battery products, including batteries, BEVs and ESS and (ii) carbon abatement solutions and carbon credit sales. Our business incurred a net loss of approximately $1.1 million and $16.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and an accumulated deficit of approximately $2.4 million and $19.1 million as of June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. As our battery business currently does not have any operations to generate revenue, except revenue generated in 2021 for production of sample batteries used for a client’s internal testing for the purpose of providing the Public Utility Board of Singapore with a proof-of-concept ESS, we believe that our battery business will continue to incur operating and net losses each fiscal year until such time as we begin significant production and leasing of our battery products, which is not expected to occur until the fourth quarter of 2024, and may occur later. Additionally, the revenue to be generated from carbon credit sales is dependent on the timing as to when the carbon abatement projects will be approved by the local government authorities.
We expect the rate at which we will incur losses to be higher in future periods as we, among other things, continue to expand our footprints in the Southeast Asia and South Asia region, increase our sales and marketing activities, develop our distribution infrastructure, and increase our general and administrative functions to support our growing operations. We may find that these efforts are more expensive than we currently anticipate or that these efforts may not result in revenues, which would further increase our losses or even prevent us from continuing as a going concern.
Further, the battery and EV industries are affected by market conditions that are outside our control. Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, including changes in market demand for batteries, BEVs and ESS, industry-wide technology changes, the loss of key clients and the postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of large orders by key clients. As a result of these factors and other risks discussed in this section, period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon to predict our future performance.
Our business model has yet to be tested and any failure to commercialize our strategic plans would have an adverse effect on our operating results and business, harm our reputation and could result in substantial liabilities that exceed our resources.
Our battery business has not commenced operations yet. Investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by a new enterprise, many of which are beyond our control, including substantial risks and expenses in the course of developing or manufacturing new products or services, establishing or entering new markets, organizing operations, and undertaking marketing activities. The likelihood of our success must be considered in light of these risks, expenses, complications, delays and the competitive environment in which we operate. There is, therefore, nothing at this time upon which to base an assumption that our business plan will prove successful, and we may not be able to generate significant revenue, raise additional capital, or operate profitably. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by early commercial stage companies, including introducing products or services that are accepted by the markets, scaling up our infrastructure and headcount, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties or delays in connection with our growth. In addition, as a result of the capital-intensive nature of our leasing business, we can be expected to face pressures to raise additional financings in order to sustain our operations of leasing projects to grow our business and achieve profitability. Any investment in our company is therefore highly speculative and could result in the loss of your entire investment.
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It is difficult to predict our future revenues and appropriately budget for our expenses, and we have limited insight into potential changes in trends that may emerge and affect our business. In the event that actual results differ from our estimates or we adjust our estimates in future periods, our operating results, prospects and financial position could be materially affected. The projected financial information appearing elsewhere in these materials was prepared by management and reflects current estimates of future performance. The projected results depend on the successful implementation of management’s growth strategies and are based on assumptions and events over which we have only partial or no control. In particular, our projected results are heavily reliant on our ability to successfully develop, manufacture, market and lease our battery products. The assumptions underlying such projected information require the exercise of judgment and may not occur, and the projections are subject to uncertainty due to the effects of economic, business, competitive, regulatory, legislative, and political or other changes.
Our business plan may not prove successful, is subject to legal and regulatory risks and our products may not be well-accepted by the markets, which could materially and adversely affect our prospects.
Our businesses in Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Australia, and PNG, are relatively new, and there is no assurance that we will be able to achieve and maintain growth and profitability across all of our business segments. There is also no assurance that our offerings will be accepted by the market or that market acceptance of our offerings will grow. Further, technologies and industry standards in relation to batteries, BEVs and ESS are evolving. For example, many of our competitors are developing a variety of battery technologies, such as solid state batteries and fuel cells, which are expected to compete with our existing product lines. It is possible that our competitors will be able to introduce new products with more desirable features than ours and their new products will gain greater market acceptance. In addition, our business could be impacted by macro-economic conditions and their effect on discretionary consumer spending, which could impact the business of our prospective consumers and in turn could impact the demand of service offerings made available by us.
Furthermore, we plan to operate our leasing services and carbon abatement solutions in several countries in the large, diverse and complex Asia-Pacific region. Each of our segments is subject to various regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Focus areas of regulatory risk that we are exposed to include, among others: (i) evolution of laws and regulations applicable to the leasing of batteries, BEVs and ESS as well as carbon abatement projects and carbon credit sales, (ii) various forms of data regulation such as data privacy, data localization, data portability, cybersecurity and advertising or marketing, (iii) economic regulations such as price, supply regulation, safety, health, environment regulations, (iv) foreign ownership restrictions, (v) vehicle regulation, (vi) land management, and (vii) native title of land. In addition, we may not be able to obtain all the licenses, permits and approvals that may be necessary to provide our product or service offerings. Because the relevant laws and regulations, as well as their interpretations, are often unclear and evolving in certain jurisdictions, this can make it difficult for us to assess whether we have complied with the relevant laws and regulations and which licenses and approvals are necessary for our business, or the processes for obtaining such licenses in certain jurisdictions. For these reasons, we also cannot be certain that we will be able to comply with all the material laws and regulations or maintain the licenses and approvals that we have previously obtained, or that once they expire we will be able to renew them. We cannot be sure that our interpretations of the rules and their exemptions have always been or will be consistent with those of the local regulators. As we expand our businesses, we may be required to obtain new licenses and will be subject to additional laws and regulations in the markets we plan to operate in.
We also expect to expand our businesses in the Asia-Pacific region through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Such expansion may increase the complexity of our business and may place significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. If our efforts of expansion through acquisitions or strategic partnerships fail, our business, results of operations, financial position, reputation, and prospects could be materially adversely affected.
The success of our business significantly relies on our relationship with 3DOM Alliance. If 3DOM Alliance no longer exclusively licenses its intellectual property rights and technologies to us, our business, financial position, results of operations and prospect would be materially and adversely affected.
All of our technologies are licensed from 3DOM Alliance, enabling us to utilize certain intellectual property rights and technologies owned or licensed in by 3DOM Alliance to manufacture and offer our own products. We also rely on 3DOM Alliance’s intellectual property rights and technologies to enable the development, operations and improvement of our battery products. Although our license-in agreement with 3DOM Alliance has a perpetual term, 3DOM Alliance can terminate the license-in agreement if we fail to pay any amounts when due with a thirty (30) days’ written notice, or when we fail to perform any obligation and fail to cure within the sixty (60) days notice period. If the license-in agreement is terminated or if we are unable to license future intellectual property rights and technologies from 3DOM Alliance, if we do so only on terms that are less favorable to us, our ability to continue to develop, maintain and improve our battery products and services could be harmed, which could in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, some of the technology licensed under the 3DOM Alliance license are sublicensed to us by 3DOM (rather than licensed directly) and if 3DOM were to lose its rights to sublicense such technologies it is possible that we would not be able to use such technologies in the future.
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Our business and future growth depends on the growth in demand for BEVs, hybrid vehicles and alternative fuel.
As the demand for our products is directly related to the market demand for BEVs, a fast-growing e-mobility market will be critical to the success of our business. However, the markets we have targeted, primarily those in Asia-Pacific region, may not achieve the level of growth we expect during the time frame projected. If any of these markets that we plan to expand into fails to achieve our expected level of growth, we may incur significant losses and not be able to generate enough revenue to achieve profitability. If the market for alternative fuel, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles does not develop at the rate or in the manner or to the extent that we expect, or if critical assumptions that we have made regarding the efficiency of our energy solutions are incorrect or incomplete, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
The EV battery market continues to evolve and is highly competitive, and other battery manufacturers have significantly greater resources than we do.
The EV battery market, like the EV market it services, is fast-growing, extremely competitive and driven by the innovation of both large incumbents and emerging entrants like noco-noco. Lithium-ion battery technology has been widely adopted and our current competitors have, and future competitors may have, greater resources than we do and may also be able to devote greater resources to the development of their current and future technologies. These competitors also may have greater access to clients and may be able to establish cooperative or strategic relationships amongst themselves or with third parties that may further enhance their resources and competitive positioning. In addition, lithium-ion battery manufacturers may continue to reduce cost and expand supply of conventional batteries and, therefore reducing the prospects for our business or negatively impacting our ability to provide our products at a market-competitive price and with sufficient margins.
To date, we have focused our efforts on our state-of-the-art X-SEPA separator and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode. However, a number of development-stage companies are also seeking to develop new technologies for lithium-metal batteries, such as new technologies for cathodes, anodes, electrolytes and additives. Some of these companies have established relationships with OEMs and are in varying stages of development. Additionally, many OEMs are researching and investing in conventional lithium-ion batteries and/or lithium-metal battery efforts and, in some cases, in battery development and production. Furthermore, other companies are developing alternative technologies such as advanced diesel, ethanol, fuel cells or compressed natural gas, as well as potential improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine. We expect competition in battery technology and BEVs to intensify due to increased demand for EVs. Competition may also be driven by a regulatory push for EVs, continuing globalization, and consolidation in the worldwide automotive industry. Developments in alternative technologies or improvements in battery technology made by competitors may materially adversely affect the sales, pricing and gross margins of our battery products. If a competing technology is developed that has superior operational or price performance, our business will be harmed. Similarly, if we fail to accurately predict and ensure that our battery technology can address clients’ changing needs or emerging technological trends, or if our clients fail to achieve the benefits expected from our battery products, our business will be harmed.
Our future success depends on the needs and success of our clients, as well as the demand for our clients’ products or services.
The demand for our battery products, in particular the batteries and BEVs, will ultimately depend on our clients, consisting primarily of commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants. Decisions to purchase or lease our batteries and BEVs may depend on the performance of the industries of our clients and if demand for output in those industries decreases, then the demand for our products may decrease as well. Demand in these industries is impacted by numerous factors, including, but not limited to, commodity prices, infrastructure spending, fuel costs, energy demands, municipal spending and government mandates and incentives. Increases or decreases in these variables may significantly impact the demand for our products.
Many of our target clients are large commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants, and the failure to maintain existing clients and secure new clients, withdrawal of leasing services by such clients or failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations could have an adverse impact on our business.
Although we intend to lease predominantly to commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants, we may not be able to establish or continue our relationships with such commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants or power plants, if customer demand is not as high as we expect or if they face pressure or contractual obligations from their existing suppliers not to purchase our products or services. We may enter into long-term contracts with certain of these commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants, who have substantial bargaining power with respect to price and other commercial terms, and any long-term contracts would be subject to renegotiation and renewal from time to time. Failure to maintain existing clients, obtain new clients, loss of all or a substantial portion of sales to any future clients for whatever reason (including, but not limited to, loss of contracts or failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations, loss of market share by these clients, insolvency of such clients, reduced or delayed client requirements, plant shutdowns, strikes or other work stoppages affecting production by such clients) or continued reduction of prices to these clients could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results and business prospects. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain existing clients, obtain new clients or secure new contracts.
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The level of any future leasing to commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants, including the realization of future leasing services from awarded business or obtaining new business or clients, is inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the number of vehicles, energy storage or grid stabilization that these commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants actually need. Further, to the extent that the financial condition, including bankruptcy or market share, of any of our largest clients deteriorates or their sales otherwise continue to decline, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. Accordingly, we may not in fact realize all of the future sales represented by our awarded business. Any failure to realize these sales could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
We may not be able to engage target clients successfully and to convert such contacts into meaningful orders in the future.
Our success, and our ability to increase revenue and operate profitably, depends in part on our ability to identify target clients and convert target clients into meaningful orders or expand on client relationships. In some cases, certain clients will purchase our battery product samples on an early trial deployment basis, where such clients have the ability to test and evaluate whether our products meet their performance requirements before such clients commit to meaningful orders.
Our future success depends on whether our target clients are willing to use our battery products as well as whether their product lines will incorporate our battery products. If our target clients expand their product lines, we hope to be the primary supplier for their BEVs. Competition in our industry is high. To secure acceptance of our products, we must constantly develop and introduce longer-range and more cost-effective batteries with enhanced functionality and performance to meet evolving industry standards. If we are unable to meet our clients’ performance requirements or industry specifications, retain or engage with target clients, or convert early trial deployments into meaningful orders, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to establish and maintain confidence in our long-term business prospects among clients and analysts and within our industry or are subject to negative publicity, then our financial condition, operating results, business prospects and access to capital may suffer materially.
Clients may be less likely to purchase our battery products if they are not convinced that our business will succeed or that our service and support and other operations will continue in the long term. Similarly, suppliers and other third parties will be less likely to invest time and resources in developing business relationships with us if they are not convinced that our business will succeed. Accordingly, in order to build and maintain our business, we must earn and maintain confidence among clients, suppliers, analysts, ratings agencies and other parties in our products, long-term financial viability and business prospects. Maintaining such confidence may be particularly complicated by certain factors including those that are largely outside of our control, such as our limited operating history, client unfamiliarity with our battery products, any delays in scaling production, delivery and service operations to meet demand, competition, future changes in the evolving hybrid electric and electric vehicle market or uncertainty regarding our production and sales performance compared with market expectations.
If any of our battery products fails to perform as expected, our ability to develop, market and sell our products and services could be harmed.
Our battery products, such as our batteries, BEVs, and ESS, could contain defects in design and production that may cause them not to perform as expected or may require repair. We currently have a limited frame of reference by which to evaluate the performance of our products upon which our business prospects depend. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix any defects in our battery products. We may experience recalls in the future, which could adversely affect our brand and could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Further, our products may not perform consistent with clients’ expectations. Any product defects or any other failure of our battery products to perform as expected could harm our reputation and result in lost revenue, delivery delays, product recalls, negative publicity, product liability claims and significant warranty and other expenses and could have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. Additionally, problems and defects experienced by alternative fuel commercial vehicle companies or electric consumer vehicles could by association have a negative impact on public perception and customer demand for our products.
Our battery products will require extensive safety testing prior to being offered to our lessees or installed in electric vehicles and power plants.
To achieve acceptance by our clients, including lessees, and power producers, our anticipated batteries, BEVs and ESS will have to undergo extensive safety testing. We plan to conduct preliminary safety testing for design verification of our battery products at their prototype stage. We are also subject to safety tests for product validation to obtain various safety standard certifications before commencing mass production of our battery products. There can be no assurance that such tests will be successful, and we may identify different or new safety issues in our development or manufacturing of the batteries, BEVs and ESS that have not been present
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in our prototypes. If we have to make design changes to address any safety issues, we may have to delay or suspend commercialization, which could materially damage our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results and brand.
Any decline in the value of carbon credits or carbon offsets could materially adversely affect our business.
The value of carbon credits and carbon offsets fluctuate based on market, standard-setting and regulatory forces outside our control. Although the value of carbon credits and carbon offsets has been rising in recent years, new technologies or easier carbon credit or carbon offset issuance rules, for example, may facilitate an increase in the supply of carbon credits and carbon offsets that outstrips demand, resulting in the value of carbon credits and carbon offsets to decline. Any such decline could mean demand and pricing for our carbon credit supply offerings would be adversely affected. Apart from supply and demand, the carbon credits prices may also be impacted by micro-and macro-economic conditions, general economic sentiment, international mandates, geopolitical tension, technology enhancements, inflation and currency exchange rates. Any decline in the value of carbon credits or carbon offsets could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Changes in industry standards or practices for issuance or usage of carbon credits or carbon offsets could significantly adversely affect our business.
The issuance and verification procedures, and the recommended usage, for carbon credits or carbon offsets are evolving areas. Changes in these areas could materially and adversely impact our business. Should, for example, issuance standards change such that our carbon-focused projects are not able to issue as many carbon credits or carbon offsets as projected, our available carbon credit pool will decline which will materially negatively impact our business. The demand side of the carbon credit markets are driven by a combination of industry standards and generally accepted practices and regulations. Should industry practices or recommendations change, or the regulatory environment change, there could be a potentially material and adverse effect on our business.
If verified and available carbon sequestration or carbon credits or carbon offsets are lower than projected, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We may make estimates on future carbon potential for our carbon abatement projects, specifically including nature-based projects such as reforestation (or other similar projects such as changes in soil or land management). We may rely on these and other generally available estimates for making carbon neutrality calculations, tree planting commitments and/or carbon credits sales or carbon offsets. If the actual realized carbon sequestration differs from our estimates due to factors, such as differences in survival rates or measured carbon sequestration, or changes in verification methodologies, standards, or changes in required buffer pools (including by third-party verification organizations), fewer carbon sequestration, carbon credits or carbon offsets may be realized and available, which could negatively impact our business and profitability as carbon credits and carbon offsets earned by us may be reduced and we may be required to purchase carbon credits at prevailing market rates.
We cannot guarantee that the approvals of the carbon abatement projects and issuing of Papua New Guinea Carbon Credits and Australian Carbon Credit Units (“ACCUs”) will not be revoked, cancelled or otherwise.
We operate our carbon abatement solutions in a variety of Oceanian countries, including Australia and PNG. In Australia, the carbon abatement projects and the issuing of ACCUs are subject to the approvals and regulation of the Australian government and in particular, the Clean Energy Regulator (the “CER”). Prior to issuing ACCUs, the CER reviews and considers applications for approved projects. We cannot guarantee that such approvals and issuing of ACCUs will not be revoked, cancelled or otherwise negatively impacted, in which case our business could be materially adversely affected.
Furthermore, the regulatory bodies may impose further compliance procedures and protocols on our existing or future projects. Any such procedures or protocols will require us to adopt and incorporate any amendments to ensure full and complete compliance of law and regulations. This may result in the delay of carrying out our existing projects, and may also impact the development of our future business activities. The regulation of the ACCUs is subject to government policy changes, and we cannot guarantee that our current business activities will not be impacted by any future amendments to laws and regulations governing the carbon abatement industry.
If we cannot acquire all interested parties’ consent for the carbon abatement projects, or if there is any deficiency in the ownership interests in the properties of the projects, our business could be materially adversely affected.
The carbon abatement project procurement stage may involve several parties with varying interests, which mainly includes landowners, but sometimes also a bank or a lending institution if there is a mortgage on the property to obtain consent or a “no objection certificate” from the lender to file and obtain carbon credits. For certain carbon abatement projects, we may not only need to obtain consent from a single landowner but multiple landowners to tie up contiguous land parcels for carrying out such projects. When we negotiate with the interested parties, we cannot guarantee that we are able to acquire the consent from all of them. If we are not able to do so, the projects will not be carried out according to the planned timetable, and our business could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if there is any deficiency or controversy in the title or ownership of any property which is the subject of a carbon abatement project, we will need to seek to ensure our legitimate business interests as protected, which may result in
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limiting the resources being applied to our business activities. Furthermore, if we are unsuccessful in protecting our legitimate business interests, our business operations could be materially adversely affected.
Any non-compliance of the landowners on their contractual obligations may affect our carbon abatement solutions business.
Due to the growth of our carbon abatement projects requiring large areas of land, access to land is an integral part of our business activities. In particular, unrestricted access to use and control the land is important to maintain and further our business activities. However, we are generally not the registered owner of any real property, and entirely rely on the licenses and/or agreements in place with the registered landowners and their compliance with their respective contractual obligations. If the landowners do not have valid licenses or approvals, or do not comply with legal requirements or contractual obligations, we may not be able to maintain the necessary rights required for our business activities and therefore it could affect our business operations.
We may not succeed in establishing, maintaining and strengthening our brand, which would materially and adversely affect client acceptance of our technologies and our business, revenues and prospects.
Our business and prospects depend on our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen our brand. If we are not able to establish, maintain and strengthen our brand, we may lose the opportunity to build a critical mass of clients. The battery and EV industry is intensely competitive, and we may not be successful in building, maintaining and strengthening our brand. Our potential competitors, including many battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs around the world, have greater name recognition, broader client relationships and substantially greater marketing resources than we do. If we do not develop and maintain a strong brand, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be materially and adversely impacted.
We operate in an extremely competitive industry and are subject to pricing pressures. Further, many other battery manufacturers have significantly greater resources than we do.
We compete with a number of major international manufacturers and distributors, as well as a number of smaller, regional competitors. We expect competition to become more intense as zero-emission transportation is becoming the mainstream with an increasing number of participants in the industry. Increased competition may result in declines in average selling prices, causing a decrease in margins. Due to excess capacity in some sectors of our industry and consolidation among industrial battery purchasers, we may be subjected to significant pricing pressures.
Many of our competitors have greater financial, personnel, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other resources than we do, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, certain of our competitors may have a lower overall cost structure. As a result, these competitors may be in a stronger position to respond quickly to market opportunities, new or emerging technologies and evolving industry standards. Many of our competitors are developing a variety of battery technologies, such as solid state batteries and fuel cell, which are expected to compete with our existing product lines. It is possible that our competitors will be able to introduce new products with more desirable features than ours and their new products will gain greater market acceptance. If our competitors successfully do so, we may not be able to maintain our competitive position and our business and future success would be materially and adversely affected.
We anticipate continued competitive pricing pressure as other producers may be able to employ labor at significantly lower costs, expand their export capacity and increase their marketing presence in our major end markets. Several of our competitors have strong technical, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution and other resources, as well as significant name recognition, established positions in the market and long-standing relationships with our industry’s potential client base. In addition, certain of our competitors may have long-standing relationships with suppliers, which may provide them with a competitive pricing advantage and reduce their exposure to volatile raw material costs. Our ability to maintain and improve our operating margins has depended, and continues to depend, on our ability to control and reduce our costs. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to control our operating expenses, to raise or maintain our prices or increase our unit volume, in order to maintain or improve our operating results.
The uncertainty in global economic conditions could negatively affect our operating results.
Our operating results are directly affected by the general global economic conditions of the industries in which our major client groups operate. Our business segments are highly dependent on the economic and market conditions in each of the geographic areas in which we operate. Leasing of our batteries, BEVs and ESS, for example, depend significantly on demand for new electric vehicle transportation or ride-sharing companies. The uncertainty in global economic conditions varies by geographic segment and can result in substantial volatility in global credit markets. These conditions affect our business by reducing prices that our clients may be able or willing to pay for our products or by reducing the demand for our products, which could in turn negatively impact our sales and result in a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.
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Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials and components, some of which are obtained from a limited number of sources where demand may exceed supply, could materially and adversely affect our business.
We rely on third-party suppliers for components and equipment necessary to develop our products, including key supplies, such as polyimide substrate, organic beads, LMFP cathode material and separator manufacturing machine, for our battery products. We face risks relating to the availability of these materials and components, including that we will be subject to demand shortages and supply chain challenges, especially in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and generally may not have sufficient purchasing power to eliminate the risk of price increases for the raw materials and tools we need. Further, certain components, including drying furnace, 3-layer die, charging and discharging equipment, IC chips and CPUs, have a long lead time which require us to order well in advance to support our proposed commercial operations. To mitigate the supply chain risks, we are adopting an all-round strategy of collaborating with many automaker partners and OEM suppliers. However, to the extent that we are unable to enter into commercial agreements with our prospective suppliers or our replacement suppliers on favorable terms, or these suppliers experience difficulties meeting our requirements, the development and commercial progression of our battery products and related technologies may be delayed.
Separately, we may be subject to various supply chain requirements regarding, among other things, conflict minerals and labor practices. We may be required to incur substantial costs to comply with these requirements, which may include locating new suppliers if certain issues are discovered. We may not be able to find any new suppliers for certain raw materials or components required for our operations, or such suppliers may be unwilling or unable to provide us with products.
Any disruption in the supply of components, equipment or materials could temporarily disrupt production of our battery product until an alternative supplier is able to supply the required material. Changes in business conditions, unforeseen circumstances, governmental changes, and other factors beyond our control or which we do not presently anticipate, could also affect our suppliers’ ability to deliver components or equipment to us on a timely basis. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Currency fluctuations, trade barriers, tariffs or shortages and other general economic or political conditions may limit our ability to obtain key components or equipment for our battery products or significantly increase freight charges, raw material costs and other expenses associated with our business, which could further materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Entering into strategic alliances could expose us to risks.
We have entered into several memorandums of understanding (“MOUs”) for, and may in the future enter into additional, strategic alliances, including joint ventures or minority equity investments, with various third parties to further our business.
While offering potential benefits, these strategic alliances could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance by the partners and increased expenses in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. We may have limited ability to monitor or control the actions of these partners and, to the extent any of these strategic partners suffers negative publicity or harm to their reputation from events relating to their business, we may also suffer negative publicity or harm to our reputation by virtue of our association with any such partner. For example, if we rely on certain strategic partner’s manufacturing facilities to produce our battery products, those operations would be outside of our control. We could experience delays if our partners do not meet agreed upon timelines, satisfy legal, industry or our client’s requirements, or experience capacity constraints, and in turn, we could lose clients and face reputational harm.
Further, there is risk of potential disputes with the strategic partners, and we could be affected by adverse publicity related to our partners whether or not such publicity is related to their collaboration with us. Our ability to successfully build a premium brand could also be adversely affected by perceptions about the quality of our partners’ products. Our OEM partners may also have economic, business, or legal interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours. As a result, it may be challenging for us to resolve issues that arise in respect of the performance of our agreements or MOUs with them, and such issues might impact development work underway under the agreements or MOUs.
Any significant disagreements with them, and especially if we become dependent on that OEM partner for our research and development efforts, may impede our ability to maximize the benefits of our partnerships and slow the commercial roll-out of our battery products. In addition, if our partners are unable or unwilling to meet their economic or other obligations under the agreements or MOUs, we may be required to fulfill those obligations alone, which could delay research and development progress and otherwise negatively impact our business and financial results. Furthermore, the relationships we have with our existing partners and the rights our partners have under their respective agreements or MOUs, may deter other OEMs from working with us. If we are not able to establish or expand our partnership with other OEMs, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
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We are dependent on our suppliers to fulfill our clients’ orders, and if we fail to manage our relationships effectively with, or lose the services of, these suppliers and cannot substitute suitable alternative suppliers, our operations would be materially adversely affected.
We rely on our suppliers for the provision of raw materials, automaker partners and OEM suppliers for the manufacturing of our battery products, including battery separators, cells and packs, BEVs and ESS. While we plan to engage multiple suppliers, automakers and OEMs whenever possible, the inability of our suppliers to deliver the raw materials and battery products manufactured by them at prices, volumes, performance and specifications acceptable to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. In addition, because we rely on our suppliers and partners to provide raw materials or manufacture battery products that meet our quality standards, there can be no assurance that we can successfully receive quality materials or products from our suppliers and partners that satisfy our quality standards. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Our failure to keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards may cause our products to become obsolete and less marketable.
The battery market is characterized by changing technologies and evolving industry standards, which are difficult to predict. This, coupled with frequent introduction of new products and models, has shortened product life cycles and may render our products obsolete or unmarketable. Our ability to adapt to evolving industry standards and anticipate future standards and market trends will be a significant factor in maintaining and improving our prospects for growth. R&D activities, however, are inherently uncertain and require significant costs, and we might encounter practical difficulties in commercializing our new technologies licensed from 3DOM Alliance. On the other hand, our competitors may improve their technologies or even achieve technological breakthroughs that would render our products obsolete or less marketable. Therefore, our failure to effectively keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards by introducing new and enhanced products may cause us to lose our clients and to suffer a decrease in our revenue.
If we cannot continue to develop new products in a timely manner and at favorable margins, we may not be able to compete effectively.
The battery industry has been notable for the pace of innovations in product life, product design and applied technology. We and our competitors have made and continue to make, investments in innovating and improving our products. Our ability to create new products and line extensions and to sustain existing products is affected by whether we can, among other things:
The failure to develop and launch successful new products and any delay in the development or launch of a new product could hinder the growth of our business. In addition, if competitors introduce new or enhanced products that significantly outperform ours, or if they develop or apply manufacturing technology that permits them to manufacture at a significantly lower cost relative to ours, we may be unable to compete successfully in the market segments affected by these changes.
We may obtain licenses on technology that has not been commercialized or has been commercialized only to a limited extent, and the success of our business may be adversely affected if such technology does not perform as expected.
From time to time, we may license from third parties, including 3DOM Alliance, technologies that have not been commercialized or which have been commercialized only to a limited extent. These technologies may not perform as expected within the markets for our battery products. If the cost, performance characteristics, manufacturing process or other specifications of these licensed technologies fall short of our targets, our projected sales, costs, time to market, future product pricing and potential operating margins may be adversely affected.
Developments in alternative technology may adversely affect the demand for our battery products.
Significant developments in alternative technologies, such as advanced diesel, ethanol or natural gas, or breathing batteries, may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results in ways that we may not currently anticipate. Existing and other battery technologies, fuels or sources of energy may emerge as clients’ preferred alternatives to our battery products. Any failure by us to develop new or enhanced technologies or processes, or to react to changes in existing technologies, could materially delay our development and introduction of new and enhanced alternative products, which could result in decreased revenue and a loss of market share to our competitors.
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We rely on 3DOM Alliance’s R&D efforts which may not be sufficient to adapt to changes in alternative fuel and electric vehicle technology. As technologies evolve, we will need to upgrade or adapt our clean energy solutions with the latest technology, in particular our licensed-in long-life battery technology, and developing intelligent battery systems with CPUs and Internet of Things (IoT) devices attached, in order to leverage on our own-and-lease model. However, we may not compete effectively with alternative systems if we are not able to source and integrate the latest technology into our battery products.
Our products could have undetected defects, errors or bugs in hardware, firmware or software, which could reduce market adoption, damage our reputation with prospective clients, and/or expose us to product liability and other claims that could materially and adversely affect our business.
We may be subject to claims that our products have malfunctioned and persons were injured or purported to be injured due to latent defects. Any insurance that we carry may not be sufficient or it may not apply to all situations. Similarly, to the extent that such malfunctions are related to components obtained from third-party vendors, such vendors may not assume responsibility for such malfunctions. Any of these events could adversely affect our brand, reputation, financial condition or results of operations.
Any defects or errors in product or services offerings, or the perception of such defects or errors, or other performance problems could result in any of the following, each of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations:
We also face the risk that any contractual protections we seek to include in our agreements with clients are rejected, not implemented uniformly or may not fully or effectively protect from claims by clients, business partners or other third parties. In addition, any insurance coverage or indemnification obligations of suppliers for our benefit may not adequately cover all such claims, or cover only a portion of such claims. A successful product liability, warranty, or other similar claim could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even claims that ultimately are unsuccessful could result in expenditure of funds in litigation, divert management’s time and other resources and cause reputational harm.
We are subject to risks relating to production scale manufacturing of our battery products, including battery separators, cells and packs, BEVs and ESS through partners in the longer term.
Our business plan contemplates that automakers and OEMs will manufacture our battery products, including battery separators, cells and packs, BEVs, and ESS, using our unique pre-calculated and calibrated manufacturing process. However, modifying or constructing these lines for production of our products could be more complicated or present significant challenges to our manufacturing partners that we do not currently anticipate. As with any large-scale capital project, any modification or construction of this nature could be subject to delays, cost overruns or other complications. Any failure to commence commercial production on schedule likely would lead to additional costs and could delay our ability to generate meaningful revenues. In addition, any such delay could diminish any “first mover” advantage we aim to attain, prevent us from gaining the confidence of OEMs and open the door to increased competition. All of the foregoing could hinder our ability to successfully launch and grow our business and achieve a competitive position in the market.
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Further, collaboration with third parties to manufacture our battery products reduces our level of control over the process. We could experience delays if our partners do not meet agreed upon timelines or experience capacity constraints. There is risk of potential disputes with partners, which could stop or slow production, and we could be affected by adverse publicity related to our partners, whether or not such publicity is related to such third parties’ collaboration with us. In addition, we cannot guarantee that our suppliers will not deviate from agreed-upon quality standards.
We may be unable to enter into agreements with manufacturers on terms and conditions acceptable to us and therefore we may need to contract with other third parties or create our own commercial production capacity. We may not be able to engage other third parties or establish or expand our own production capacity to meet our needs on acceptable terms, or at all. The expense and time required to adequately complete any transition may be greater than anticipated. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Manufacturing or use of our products may cause accidents, which could result in significant production interruption, delay or claims for substantial damages.
Due to the high energy density inherent in lithium-based batteries, our batteries can pose certain safety risks, including the risk of fire or explosion. Our battery risk management system provides early warning signals of battery faults or malfunction, but accidents causing death or personal injury or property damage can still occur. Although safety procedures is also incorporated in the research, development, manufacture and transportation of batteries that are designed to minimize safety risks, the manufacture or use of our products may still cause accidents. Any accident, whether occurring at the manufacturing facilities or from the use of our products, may result in significant production interruption, delays or claims for substantial damages caused by personal injuries or property damage.
We are subject to regulations regarding the storage and handling of various products. We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.
We may become subject to product liability claims which could harm our business, prospects, operating results, and financial condition. We face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our batteries do not perform as expected or malfunction resulting in personal injury or death. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given our X-SEPA separator and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode are still in the development stage and have not yet been commercially mass produced. A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay a substantial monetary award. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our technology and business and inhibit or prevent commercialization of our battery products and future product candidates, which would have a material adverse effect on our brand, business, prospects and operating results. Any insurance coverage might not be sufficient to cover all potential product liability claims. Any lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages either in excess of our coverage, or outside of our coverage, may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business and financial condition. We may not be able to secure product liability insurance coverage on commercially acceptable terms or at reasonable costs when needed.
Our BEVs and our batteries as components of BEVs are subject to motor vehicle standards and the failure of the vehicles to satisfy such mandated safety standards could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products, our business and our operating results.
All vehicles and batteries installed in the vehicles sold or leased must comply with applicable international and local motor vehicle safety standards, which vary by national and local jurisdictions. Rigorous testing and the use of approved materials and equipment are among the requirements for achieving certain mandatory certifications. Failure by our vehicle manufacturing clients to satisfy motor vehicle standards could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Moreover, we may incur our own significant costs in complying with these regulations. Regulations related to the electric vehicle industry and alternative energy are currently evolving and we face risks associated with the application of these regulations and changes to these regulations.
To the extent the laws become more stringent or otherwise change, our BEVs and/or our batteries may not comply with applicable international or local laws, which would have an adverse effect on our business. Compliance with changing regulations could be burdensome, time consuming, and expensive. To the extent compliance with new regulations is cost prohibitive, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results would be adversely affected.
There may be laws in jurisdictions we have not yet entered or laws of which we are unaware in jurisdictions we have entered that may restrict our sales or other business practices. Even for those jurisdictions we have analyzed, the laws in this area can be complex, difficult to interpret and may change over time. Continued regulatory limitations and other obstacles interfering with our or our client’s ability to sell products could have a negative and material impact on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
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Future product recalls could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Any product recall in the future, whether it involves our or a competitor’s product, may result in negative publicity, damage our brand and materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. In the future, we may voluntarily or involuntarily, initiate a recall if any of our products that are proven or possibly could be defective or noncompliant with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Such recalls involve significant expense and diversion of management attention and other resources, which could adversely affect our brand image, as well as our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
We were granted the exclusive license on certain patents and other pending patent applications from 3DOM Alliance pursuant to a license-in agreement entered into on November 22, 2022. The pending patent applications under such license-in agreement may not result in issued patents and the licensed patents may be invalidated or narrowly interpreted, in which event our competitiveness and value may be undermined.
Our key technological innovations, including innovations that are currently commercialized in our products and innovations that we plan to deploy in the future, are described in numerous issued patents and pending patent applications that we licensed from 3DOM Alliance. There is no assurance that the pending applications will result in issued patents. Further, we cannot guarantee that our use of these patents and associated inventions will not infringe upon rights of third parties. Also, to the extent that we endeavor to enforce our currently issued licensed patents or any patents that will be issued in the future, an alleged infringer may be able to assert that it has not infringed any claim of the applicable patent(s) and that the applicable patent(s) is in any event invalid or unenforceable. There can be no assurance that we will overcome those defenses. Further, if one or more of our patents are held to be invalid or unenforceable, or if claims of those patents are interpreted narrowly, or if patents fail to issue from our pending applications, our competitiveness and value may be undermined.
We rely heavily on the exclusively-licensed intellectual properties and technologies, which includes patent rights, trade secrets, trademarks, and know-how. If we are unable to protect and maintain access to these intellectual property rights, our business and competitive position would be harmed.
We may not be able to prevent unauthorized use of our exclusively-licensed intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position. We rely on a combination of the intellectual property protections afforded by patent, trademark and trade secret laws in Japan, Singapore and other jurisdictions, as well as license agreements and other contractual protections, to establish, maintain and enforce rights and competitive advantage in our licensed-in technologies. Third parties, including our business partners, may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property without our consent or may decline to license or defend necessary intellectual property rights to us on terms favorable to our business. Third parties may also attempt to challenge our use of certain intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where we do not hold patent rights. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly, and the steps we have taken or will take to prevent misappropriation may not be sufficient. Any enforcement efforts we undertake, including litigation, could require involvement of the licensor, be time-consuming and expensive, and could divert management’s attention, all of which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, existing intellectual property laws and contractual remedies may afford less protection than needed to safeguard our licensed-in technologies. All of our patent rights have been obtained through an exclusive license-in agreement from 3DOM Alliance. Because we do not own those patent rights, we have less control over their validity, maintenance and enforcement, which could harm our ability to maintain any competitive advantage those patent rights provide.
Any registrations for the intellectual property rights we own or license are constrained to the country in which the rights were issued or obtained. Many of the patents we license are not yet registered and are currently under review by the respective patent offices. Our efforts to protect against the unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights, technology and other licensed-in rights in those countries where our intellectual property is under review or not registered may be impossible. With respect to jurisdictions where our intellectual property is already registered, patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws vary significantly throughout the world. A number of foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as Japan and Singapore. Therefore, our intellectual property rights may not be as strong or as easily enforced in some foreign countries, and efforts to protect against the unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights, technology and other licensed-in rights may be impossible in those countries. Failure to adequately protect or be able to use our exclusively-licensed intellectual property rights could result in our competitors using our intellectual property to offer products, potentially resulting in the loss of some of our competitive advantage, a decrease in our revenue and reputational harm caused by inferior products offered by third parties, which would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
We are unable to guarantee that our technology, or its ultimate integration into electric vehicle battery packs, does not infringe intellectual property rights of third parties. We may need to defend ourselves against intellectual property infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and could cause us to incur substantial costs.
Companies, organizations or individuals, including our current and future competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell, license, lease or market our products or technologies, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive inquiries from third parties relating to whether we are infringing their intellectual property rights and/or seek court declarations that
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they do not infringe upon our intellectual property rights. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights relating to batteries may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise asserting their rights and seeking licenses. In addition, if we are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to continue to use the technology on reasonable terms, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not well-founded, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity, reputational harm and diversion of resources and management’s attention.
Third-party claims or litigation alleging infringement of patents or infringement or misappropriation of other proprietary rights, or seeking to invalidate our patents may adversely affect our business.
Our success depends in part on our avoiding infringement, misappropriation and other violations of the patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. Claims of infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of patents or other intellectual property rights are often expensive and time-consuming to defend, and if we were unsuccessful in defense of such claims we could be forced to stop use of certain technologies and/or pay damages or on-going royalties. It is possible that at any time third-parties could attempt to assert an infringement or misappropriation claims if they believe our technology violates their intellectual property rights.
Some of our competitors may have more resources than we do to pursue claims of infringement or misappropriation. We may conclude that even if they are infringing our patents or other intellectual property rights, the risk-adjusted costs of bringing claims against them may be too high or otherwise not in your interest.
If we are unable to grow, or if we fail to manage future growth effectively, our revenue may not increase and we may be unable to implement our business strategy.
Our future success depends upon our ability to grow, and if we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may incur unexpected expenses and be unable to meet our clients’ requirements, all of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. To manage our current and anticipated future growth effectively, we must continue to maintain and enhance our infrastructure, financial and accounting systems and controls. We must also attract, train and retain a significant number of engineers, sales and marketing personnel, client support personnel, professional services personnel, software engineers, technical personnel and management personnel, and the availability of such personnel may be constrained.
As we continue to grow, including from the integration of employees and businesses acquired in connection with previous or future acquisitions, we may find it difficult to maintain important aspects of our corporate culture, which could negatively affect our profitability and our ability to retain and recruit qualified personnel who are essential for our future success. If we do not effectively manage our growth, we may not be able to execute on our business plan, respond to competitive pressures, take advantage of market opportunities, satisfy client requirements or manufacture high-quality products. Additionally, we may not be able to expand and upgrade our infrastructure to accommodate future growth.
Failure to effectively manage our growth could also lead us to over-invest or under-invest in development and operations; result in weaknesses in our infrastructure, systems or controls; give rise to operational mistakes, financial losses, loss of productivity or business opportunities; and result in loss of employees and reduced productivity of remaining employees. Our growth is expected to require significant capital expenditures and may divert financial resources from other projects such as the development of new products and services. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our expenses may increase more than expected, our revenue may not increase or may grow more slowly than expected and we may be unable to implement our business strategy. Further, any failure to manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. We intend to expand our operations significantly which we expect our future expansion to include, among other things:
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We are subject to requirements relating to environmental and safety regulations and environmental remediation matters which could adversely affect our business, results of operation and reputation.
Our operations are subject to environmental, health and safety rules laws and regulations laws and regulations including those governing hazardous material handling, transportation, and cleanup and occupational safety and health. There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. Environmental laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, which could increase costs of compliance or require us to manufacture with alternative technologies and materials.
We have not yet commenced mass production for our battery products. When mass production is commenced, we will engage OEM suppliers for the manufacturing of our battery products. The manufacturing process will have hazards such as but not limited to hazardous materials, machines with moving parts, and high voltage and/or high current electrical systems typical of large manufacturing equipment and related safety incidents. There may be safety incidents that damage machinery or product, slow or stop production, or harm employees. Consequences may include litigation, regulation, fines, increased insurance premiums, mandates to temporarily halt production, workers’ compensation claims, or other actions that impact our company brand, finances, or ability to operate.
While we require that our OEMs and other suppliers have reasonably designed and implemented policies and programs to assure compliance with these laws and regulations and to avoid hazardous substance release lability, there can be no guarantee that the substantial costs incurred by new or more stringent compliance obligations will not be passed on to us.
Regulatory actions, legal proceedings and customer complaints against us could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Our directors, management, shareholders and employees may also from time to time be subject to legal proceedings, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.
Along with growth and expansion of our business, we may be involved in litigation, regulatory proceedings and other disputes arising in or outside the ordinary course of our business. In general, such litigation and disputes may result in claims for actual damages, freezing of our assets, diversion of our management’s attention and reputational damage to us and our management, and the probability and amount of liability, if any, may remain unknown for long periods of time. Given the uncertainty, complexity and scope of many of these litigation matters, their outcome generally cannot be predicted with any reasonable degree of certainty. Therefore, our reserves for such matters may be inadequate. Moreover, even if we eventually prevail in these matters, we could incur significant legal fees or suffer significant reputational harm, which may negatively affect our operating results if changes to our business operations are required. There may also be negative publicity associated with litigation that could decrease consumer acceptance of our product offerings, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. In addition, our directors, management, shareholders and employees may from time to time be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings and/or negative publicity or otherwise face potential liability and expense in relation to commercial, labor, employment, securities or other matters, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations. As a result, litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
We may be subject to declining average selling and leasing prices, which may harm our revenue and gross profits.
Electric vehicles, light electric vehicles and energy storage systems are subject to declines in average selling and leasing prices due to rapidly evolving technologies, industry standards and consumer preferences. As a result, our clients may expect us as suppliers to cut our costs and lower the price of our products in order to mitigate the negative impact on their own margins.
We expect to face possible market-driven downward pricing pressures in the future. Our revenue and profitability will suffer if we are unable to offset any declines in our average selling or leasing prices by developing new or enhanced products with higher prices or gross profit margins, increasing our sales or leasing volumes or reducing the material costs of our products on a timely basis.
Our battery products rely on software and hardware that are highly technical, and if these systems contain errors, bugs or vulnerabilities, or if we are unsuccessful in addressing or mitigating technical limitations in our systems, our business could be adversely affected.
Our products rely on software and hardware, including software and hardware developed or maintained internally or by third parties, that are highly technical and complex and will require modification and updates over the life of a battery product. Certain of
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our products depend on the ability of such software and hardware to store, retrieve, process and manage immense amounts of data. Our hardware and software or third party components and software that we utilize in our products may also contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation or security of the products. In addition, our systems are subject to certain technical limitations that may compromise our ability to meet the objectives. Some errors, bugs or vulnerabilities inherently may be difficult to detect and may only be discovered after the code has been released for external or internal use. Although we attempt to remedy any issues that we observe in our products as effectively and rapidly as possible, such efforts may not be timely, may hamper production, or may not be to the satisfaction of our clients. If we are unable to prevent or effectively remedy errors, bugs, vulnerabilities or defects in our software and hardware, we may suffer damage to our brand, loss of clients, loss of revenue or liability for damages, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial results.
The unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives due to policy changes or government regulation could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Any reduction, elimination or discriminatory application of government subsidies and economic incentives because of policy changes, the reduced need for such subsidies and incentives due to the perceived success of the electric vehicle industry or other reasons may result in the diminished competitiveness of the alternative fuel and electric vehicle industry generally or our battery power solutions. While certain tax credits and other incentives for alternative energy production, alternative fuel and electric vehicles have been available in the past, there is no guarantee these programs will be available in the future or that they will remain at current levels. In particular, our business will be affected by local and foreign tax credits, rebates, grants and other government programs and incentives that promote the use of electric vehicles. Additionally, our business will be affected by laws, rules and regulations that require reductions in carbon emissions or the use of renewable fuels. These programs and regulations, which have the effect of encouraging the demand for electric vehicles, could expire or be repealed or amended for a variety of reasons. For example, parties with an interest in gasoline and diesel, natural gas or other alternative vehicles or vehicle fuels, including lawmakers, regulators, policymakers, environmental or advocacy organizations, OEMs, trade groups, suppliers or other powerful groups, may invest significant time and money in efforts to delay, repeal or otherwise negatively influence regulations and programs that promote battery powered vehicles. Many of these parties have substantially greater resources and influence than we have. Further, changes in local or foreign political, social or economic conditions, including a lack of legislative focus on these programs and regulations, could result in their modification, delayed adoption or repeal. Any failure to adopt, delay in implementation, expiration, repeal or modification of these programs and regulations, or the adoption of any programs or regulations that encourage the use of other alternative fuels or alternative vehicles over battery power, would reduce the market for batteries as a source of power and harm our operating results, liquidity and financial condition.
We will face risks associated with potential international operations, including unfavorable local regulatory, political, tax and labor conditions, which could harm our business.
We will face risks associated with any potential international operations, including possible unfavorable local regulatory, political, tax and labor conditions, which could harm our business. We anticipate having subsidiaries that are subject to the legal, political, regulatory and social requirements and economic conditions in international jurisdictions. We may be subject to a number of risks associated with international business activities that may increase our costs, impact our ability to manufacture, sell or lease our products and require significant management attention. These risks include, but are not limited to:
If we fail to address these risks successfully, our business and prospects could be negatively impacted.
Our operations and investments are located in Asia-Pacific and we are therefore exposed to various risks inherent in operating and investing in the region.
We will be focusing primarily on the Asia-Pacific market, including but not limited to Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Australia, and PNG, which means that other than assets located in and most of the income derived from our Singapore and Australia business, our assets and income are located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries are typically subject to greater political, policy, legal, economic, taxation and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risk of expropriation, nationalization and commercial or governmental disputes, inflation, interest rate and currency fluctuations and greater difficulty in enforcing or collecting payment against contracts or in having certainty that all required governmental and
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regulatory approvals necessary to run our business are in place and will be renewed. Asian markets are inherently non-homogenous and require bespoke business models for each country in which we operate which adds complexity and reduces economies of scale.
Emerging market countries where we operate may have less sophisticated legal, taxation and regulatory systems and frameworks, including but not limited to unexpected changes in, or inconsistent application, interpretation or enforcement of, applicable laws and regulatory requirements. In particular, because legislation and other laws and regulations in emerging markets are often undeveloped, it is frequently difficult to interpret those laws and regulations with certainty. Regulatory authorities may adopt different interpretations to us or may revise laws, regulations or interpretations, potentially with retrospective effect, in ways that adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. This gives rise to increased risks relating to labor practices, foreign ownership restrictions, tax regulation and enforcement, difficulty in enforcing contracts, changes to or uncertainty in the relevant legal and regulatory regimes and other issues in the markets where we operate or may in the future operate. Such risks could interrupt or adversely impact some or all of our business and may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Most of the countries we will be focusing on have experienced political and social instability at various times in the past, including but not limited to acts of political violence and civil unrest. These countries also have been subject to a number of terrorist attacks and other destabilizing events, which have led to economic and social volatility. There can be no assurance that similar destabilizing events will not occur in the future. Any such destabilizing events could interrupt and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Investors should also note that emerging markets are also subject to rapid change. An increase in the perceived risks associated with investing in emerging economies could reduce foreign investment in these countries, which may have a materially adverse impact on the battery markets in those places, or make it more difficult for us to obtain debt and equity financing, which could adversely affect our financial capacity to meet our business objectives and therefore adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates will affect our financial results, which we report in U.S. Dollars.
We plan to operate in multiple jurisdictions, which exposes us to the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We may earn revenue in Singaporean Dollars, Australia Dollars, Thai Baht, Indonesian Rupiah, Indian Rupee, Philippine Peso and PNG Kina among other currencies. Our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars, which is the functional currency of noco-noco. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the various currencies that we use could result in expenses being higher and revenue being lower than would be the case if exchange rates were stable. We cannot assure you that movements in foreign currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in future periods. Furthermore, a substantial amount of our revenue is denominated in emerging markets currencies. Because fluctuations in the value of emerging markets currencies are not necessarily correlated, there can be no assurance that our results of operations will not be adversely affected by such volatility.
Changes in public policies affecting the development and more widespread adoption of electric vehicles could affect the demand for our products.
We mainly offer leasing services of our battery products, including batteries, BEVs and ESS, and manage carbon abatement projects and sell carbon credits to commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and power plants. If the market for electric vehicles or renewable energy does not develop, demand for our products or services could be harmed. As a result, our success depends, in part, on laws that affect demand for electric vehicles. For example, laws compelling the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions could create opportunity for increased sales of our batteries for incorporation in BEVs. Incentives, including tax credits or rebates, for electric vehicle purchases to reduce greenhouse gas emissions create a climate in which our sales may increase. Eliminating or phasing out such incentives could have the opposite effect. The continuous generation of carbon credits is an essential component to offset the unavoidable emissions in our leasing business. Our financial success may depend, in part, on our ability to generate tradable regulatory emission credits and provide carbon offset solutions to our clients. Laws that restrict or diminish the value of such credits may lessen our electric vehicle producing clients’ demand for our batteries.
Our carbon abatement solutions business may be impacted by climate-related activities.
Our carbon abatement solutions business may be impacted by certain climate-related activities, including:
Given our carbon abatement solutions business are largely exposed to climate-related activities, any unfavorable changes will have an adverse impact on us, and may further impact the ongoing viability of our carbon abatement projects.
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Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and the loss of one or more of these employees could adversely affect our business.
Our success depends largely upon the continued services of our key executive officers. We also rely on our management team in the areas of research and development, marketing, services and general administrative functions. If one or more of our other senior executives are unable or unwilling to continue to work for us in their present positions, we would be significantly disadvantaged. Moreover, if any of our current or former senior executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose clients, suppliers, know-how and key personnel. Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains confidentiality clauses.
Our success also depends, in part, on our continuing ability to identify, hire, attract, train and develop other highly qualified personnel, in particular engineers specializing in various disciplines, including battery design and production. Experienced and highly skilled employees are in high demand and competition for these employees can be intense. Our ability to hire, attract and retain them depends on our ability to provide competitive compensation packages. We may not be able to attract, integrate, train, motivate or retain additional highly qualified personnel, and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
The unexpected loss of or failure to retain one or more of our key employees could adversely affect our business. We do not currently maintain key man life insurance policies with respect to every officer and will evaluate whether to obtain such additional key man life insurance policies. Any failure by our management team and our employees to perform as expected may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
Any failure to offer high-quality maintenance services may adversely affect our relationships with our clients and harm our financial results.
We are highly dependent on the quality of our products, our business reputation and on strong recommendations from our existing clients. Any failure to maintain high-quality maintenance services, or a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality maintenance, could harm our reputation, adversely affect our ability to lease our products to existing and prospective clients, and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
We provide maintenance services with the batteries, BEVs and ESS when we lease to our clients and may be unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in demand for maintenance services, particularly as we increase the size of our client base. Additionally, increased demand for these services, without corresponding revenue, could increase costs and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our management has limited experience in operating a public company.
Our executive officers have limited experience in the management of a publicly traded company. Our management team may not successfully or effectively manage our transition to a public company that will be subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under federal securities laws. Their limited experience in dealing with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies could be a significant disadvantage in that it is likely that an increasing amount of their time may be devoted to these activities which will result in less time being devoted to the management and growth of us. We may not have adequate personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience, and training in the accounting policies, practices or internal controls over financial reporting required of public companies in the United States. The development and implementation of the standards and controls necessary for us to achieve the level of accounting standards required of a public company in the United States may require costs greater than expected. It is possible that we will be required to expand its employee base and hire additional employees to support its operations as a public company which will increase its operating costs in future periods.
We have identified material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Our failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting may result in material misstatements of our consolidated financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our shares.
Our management has concluded that, as of June 30, 2023, our existing disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were ineffective, due to a material weakness. The material weakness relates to lack of sufficient financial reporting and accounting personnel, especially those with U.S. GAAP knowledge. Moreover, even if our management may in the future conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it concludes that we have not maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have
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effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ordinary shares. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions.
As we became a public company following the consummation of the Business Combination, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we include a report from management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with its second annual report on Form 20-F after becoming a public company. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm may need to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation. In addition, because we will be an “emerging growth company” and intend to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to most other public companies, including, but not limited to, an exemption from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, any remedial measures that we take to remedy material weakness and control deficiencies may not be independently verified by an independent third party. To remediate our identified material weakness and improve our internal control over financial reporting, we are in the process of implementing a number of measures to address the identified material weakness, including:
(i) establishing clear roles and responsibilities for accounting and financial reporting staff to address accounting and financial reporting issues, and adding additional professionals for our financial reporting team; (ii) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; and (iii) strengthening corporate governance.
The growth and expansion of our business may place a significant strain on our operational and financial resources in the future. As we continue to grow, we may not be able to successfully implement requisite improvements to our internal control systems, controls and processes, such as system access and change management controls, in a timely or efficient manner. Our failure to improve our systems and processes, or their failure to operate in the intended manner, whether as a result of the growth of our business or otherwise, may result in our inability to accurately forecast our revenue and expenses, or to prevent certain losses. Moreover, the failure of our systems and processes could undermine our ability to provide accurate, timely and reliable reports on our financial and operating results and could impact the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
We may need to raise additional funds and these funds may not be available to us when we need them. If we cannot raise additional funds when we need them, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be negatively affected.
The design, manufacture, sale and servicing of our battery products are capital-intensive. We expect that following the consummation of the Business Combination, we will have sufficient capital to fund our planned operations for the next three years, at which point we expect to be generating self-sustaining free cash flow. However, we may need to raise additional capital to scale our operations, continue licensing in intellectual properties and technologies and expand into emerging markets. Further, we may subsequently determine that additional funds are necessary earlier than anticipated. We may raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity related or debt securities, or through obtaining credit from government or financial institutions. This capital may be necessary to fund our ongoing operations, continue improving our technologies, and development and design efforts. We cannot be certain that additional funds will be available to us on favorable terms when required, or at all. If we cannot raise additional funds when we need them, our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects could be materially adversely affected.
The consolidated financial statements accompanying this Report contain disclosures related to our ability to continue as a going concern.
The consolidated financial statements included in this Report were prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that assets are realized and liabilities are extinguished in the ordinary course of business at the amounts as disclosed in the financial statements. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $19,143,513 and $2,351,743 respectively. We incurred net loss of $16,791,770 and $1,076,823 for the financial years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The cash used in operating activities for the financial year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, was $2,982,778 and $805,177, respectively. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on our management’s ability to successfully execute our business plan, which includes increasing revenue while controlling operating cost and expenses to generate positive operating cash flows and obtaining funds from outside sources of financing to generate positive financing cash flows. Management has commenced a strategy
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to raise debt and equity. To sustain our ability to support our operating activities, we have considered supplementing our sources of funding through the following: (i) additional financial support from our related parties and shareholders; (ii) raising funds through private placement of shares to new strategic investors; and (iii) other available sources of financing from banks and other financial institutions.
There is no assurance that the plans will be successfully implemented. If we fail to achieve these goals, we may need additional financing to repay debt obligations and execute our business plan, and we may not be able to obtain the necessary additional capital on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. In the event that financing sources are not available, or that we are unsuccessful in increasing our gross profit margin and reducing operating losses, we may be unable to implement our current plans for expansion, repay debt obligations or respond to competitive pressures, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and may materially adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.
Our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph about our ability to continue as a going concern in its report on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023. The inclusion of a going concern explanatory paragraph may negatively impact the trading price of our Ordinary Shares, have an adverse impact on our relationship with third parties with whom we do business, including our customers, vendors and employees, and could make it challenging and difficult for us to raise additional debt or equity financing to the extent needed, all of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
For additional information on the above-referenced accounting standards and matters affecting our ability to continue as a going concern, see Note 2 to the financial statements included in this report and the discussion included in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects--B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
We rely on information technology and any failure, inadequacy, interruption or security lapse of that technology, including any cybersecurity incidents, could harm our ability to operate our business effectively.
Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs that attack our products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products. While we employ a number of protective measures, including firewalls, network infrastructure vulnerability scanning, anti-virus and endpoint detection and response technologies, these measures may fail to prevent or detect attacks on our systems which could adversely affect our business, operations, or products.
Any claim that our products or systems are subject to a cybersecurity risk, whether valid or not, could damage our reputation and adversely impact our revenues and results of operations. We manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our business, which in the future may as well contain information from our suppliers and clients. Breaches of our or any of our third party suppliers’ security measures or the accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure or unapproved dissemination of proprietary information or sensitive or confidential data about us or our clients or suppliers, including the potential loss or disclosure of such information or data as a result of fraud, trickery or other forms of deception, could expose us or our clients or suppliers to a risk of loss or misuse of this information, result in litigation and potential liability for us, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business.
To the extent we experience cyber-security incidents in the future, our relationships with our clients and suppliers may be materially impacted, our brand and reputation may be harmed and we could incur substantial costs in responding to and remediating the incidents and in resolving any investigations or disputes that may arise with respect to them, any of which would cause our business, operations, or products to be adversely affected. In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing and adding further data protection measures could be significant.
We may in the future be, adversely affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic or other similar outbreaks.
We face various risks related to epidemics, pandemics, and other outbreaks, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19, including changes in consumer and business behavior, pandemic fears and market downturns, and restrictions on business and individual activities, has created significant volatility in the global economy and led to reduced economic activity. The spread of COVID-19 may impact our potential clients and suppliers by disrupting the manufacturing, delivery and overall supply chain of battery and BEV manufacturers and suppliers and may lead to a global decrease in battery and BEV sales or leasing in markets around the world.
The pandemic has resulted in government authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. Although we had not experienced any impact from the pandemic, these measures still may adversely impact our employees, research and development activities and operations and the operations of our suppliers, vendors and business partners, and may negatively impact our sales and marketing activities in the future. In addition, various aspects of our business cannot be conducted remotely. These measures by government authorities may remain in place for a significant period of time and they are likely to continue to adversely affect our future manufacturing plans, sales and marketing activities, business and results of operations. We may take actions as may be required by government authorities or that it determines are in the best interests of its employees, suppliers, vendors and business partners.
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The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our business, prospects and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the duration and spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating activities can resume. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience an adverse impact to its business as a result of its global economic impact, including any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future.
There are no comparable recent events that may provide guidance as to the effect of the spread of COVID-19 and a pandemic, and, as a result, the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain.
The future impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted and there is no assurance that such outbreak will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The extent of the impact will depend on future developments, including actions taken to contain COVID-19, and if these impacts persist or exacerbate over an extended period of time.
Our business activities in the Oceanian countries may be subject to native title and/or indigenous cultural heritage rights.
Native title and/or indigenous cultural heritage rights may impact our ability to obtain landowner agreements, permits and approvals. In Australia, the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) recognizes rights of indigenous Australians over land, and such recognition may impact or delay our ability to carry out our business activities, either wholly or partially. There are also Australian state and territory legislations which impose duties of care on us to ensure all practical and reasonable measures are taken to avoid damaging or destroying indigenous cultural heritage. These laws and regulations are subject to constant review and amendments. If we are unable to obtain consent from indigenous persons to the potential target areas of a planned carbon abatement project, that particular project would have to be abandoned, which will adversely affect our business and financial performance.
In addition, our business activities may be subject to the First Nations and/or indigenous persons claims. To carry out our business activities, consultation and discussions with the First Nations and/or other indigenous groups will be required from time to time. Any unsuccessful consultation or discussions will impact our ability to perform our business activities. In the event the land underlying a carbon abatement project is determined to be native title, we will need to appropriately amend our internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance, which may delay our project timeline and adversely affect our business. In addition, we may at times be restricted, either legally or culturally, from the properties or lands due to sociological issues, which may also adversely affect our business.
We may be subject to government policy changes under the federal political system of Australia.
Australia has consistently operated under a mild two-party federal political system, with two major party alliances dominating the political groupings in the Australian system. The carbon abatement projects, although having experienced prolonged periods of continuance between both party alliances, may be revoked upon a change in the federal system to be realigned with the incumbent political party’s policies. Any change in government policies, legislation or regulation that affect carbon abatement projects may directly impact our business operations. Generally, the state-based political parties in Australia also follow a mild two-party system, which may present conflicts between state policies and federal policies, in turn creating uncertainty and volatility for our operations.
In addition, there may be changes in taxation, interest rates and other administrative functions of both the state and federal governing laws and regulations which may have an adverse impact on our assets, operations and financial performance. Changes to existing laws and regulations governing the carbon abatement projects may also require us to implement such changes, which may adversely impact both current and any future projects.t
Uncertainties with respect to laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to a range of regulations, including but not limited to safety, environmental, tax, anti-money laundering, countering of terrorism financing and competition legislation in different jurisdictions. Governments and regulatory authorities in the countries where we operate may from time to time make changes to applicable laws and regulatory policies, which may make it more difficult or onerous for us to operate. Additionally, laws and policies in emerging markets may change at short notice and may subject us to additional penalties.
In addition, any interpretation of laws and practice by the governments and/or regulatory authorities that is contrary to our views of those laws and practice may adversely affect our liabilities or expose us to legal, regulatory or other actions. Inconsistent enforcement of laws also creates compliance risks, as it may make it difficult for us to engage with regulatory authorities on compliance matters. Such inconsistency may also result in variability in the penalties associated with any non-compliance. Appeals against the enforcement actions taken by regulatory authorities may not always be possible, and it may take a long time to reach conclusion, may incur significant costs and the results may be uncertain and involve external influences outside our control.
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Securities
The market price and trading volume of our Securities may be volatile and could decline significantly.
The stock markets, including the Nasdaq on which we listed our Ordinary Shares and Warrants (collectively, “Securities”), have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Even if an active, liquid and orderly trading market develops and is sustained for our Securities, the market prices of our Securities may be volatile and could decline significantly. In addition, the trading volumes in our Securities may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market prices of our Securities decline significantly, you may be unable to resell our Securities you held at or above the market price of the our Securities as of the date immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination. There can be no assurance that the market prices of our Securities will not fluctuate widely or decline significantly in the future in response to a number of factors, including, among others, the following:
In addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our Securities, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against that company. If we were involved in any similar litigation, it could incur substantial costs and our management’s attention and resources could be diverted.
We may issue additional Ordinary Shares or other equity or convertible debt securities without approval of the holders of our Securities, which would dilute existing ownership interests and may depress the market price of our Securities.
We may continue to require capital investment to support its business, and we may issue additional Ordinary Shares or other equity or convertible debt securities of equal or senior rank in the future without approval of the holders of our Securities in certain circumstances.
Our issuance of additional Ordinary Shares or other equity or convertible debt securities would have the following effects: (i) Our existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us may decrease; (ii) the amount of cash available per share, including for payment of dividends in the future, may decrease; (iii) the relative voting power of each previously outstanding Ordinary Share may be diminished; and (iv) the market price of our Securities may decline.
Furthermore, our employees, directors or consultants are expected to be granted equity awards under the PubCo Incentive Plan, subject to a limit of 5% of the fully diluted share capital that is issued and outstanding upon consummation of the Business Combination, in the first year of issue. You will experience additional dilution when those equity awards and purchase rights become vested and settled or exercised, as applicable, for our Ordinary Shares.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research, publish inaccurate or unfavorable research or cease publishing research about us, the market price and trading volume of our Securities could decline significantly.
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The trading market for our Securities will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We may be unable to sustain coverage by well-regarded securities and industry analysts. If either none or only a limited number of securities or industry analysts maintain coverage of us, or if these securities or industry analysts are not widely respected within the general investment community, the demand for our Securities could decrease, which might cause the market prices and trading volumes of our Securities to decline significantly. In the event that we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade their assessment of us or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price and liquidity of our Securities could be negatively impacted.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert our management’s attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Nasdaq listing requirements and other applicable securities rules and regulations. These expenses may increase even more if we no longer qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual and current reports with respect to its business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We may need to hire more employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time-consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We expect these laws and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to render some activities more time-consuming and costly, although we are currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty.
Our management team has limited experience managing a publicly traded company, interacting with public company investors and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. Our management team may not successfully or efficiently manage the transition to being a public company subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the federal securities laws and regulations and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. The need to establish the corporate infrastructure demanded of a public company may divert the management’s attention from implementing its growth strategy, which could prevent us from improving our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and consequently we may be required to incur substantial costs to obtain such coverage. These additional obligations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of its board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit and risk committee, remuneration committee and nominating committee, and qualified executive officers.
As a result of disclosure of information in this Report and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be adversely affected, and, even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are an “emerging growth company” and it cannot be certain if the reduced SEC reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our Securities less attractive to investors, which could have a material and adverse effect on us, including our growth prospects.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act and will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Business Combination, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Securities held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our prior second fiscal quarter, and (ii) the date on which we issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We intend to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to most other public companies, whether or not they are classified as “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, an exemption from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that our independent registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
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Furthermore, even after we no longer qualifies as an “emerging growth company,” as long as we continue to qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including, but not limited to, the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, and current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events. In addition, we will not be required to file annual reports and financial statements with the SEC as promptly as U.S. domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, and are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.
As a result, our shareholders may not have access to certain information they deem important. We cannot predict if investors will find our Securities less attractive because it relies on these exemptions. If some investors do find our Securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market and the market price of our Securities may be more volatile.
We are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and have qualified as a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
We are a foreign private issuer as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act and are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and, we are a listed company on the Nasdaq. The Nasdaq market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to domestic U.S. companies.
Because we have qualified as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.
In addition, we are not required to have: (i) a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors; (ii) a compensation committee consisting of independent directors; (iii) a nominating and corporate committee consisting of independent directors; or (iv) regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors each year.
We intend to rely on some of the exemptions listed above. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, you may receive less or different information about us than you would receive about a U.S. domestic public company.
The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. In the future, we could lose our status as a foreign private issuer under current SEC rules and regulations if more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities become directly or indirectly held of record by U.S. holders and any one of the following is true: (i) the majority of our directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States. If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer in the future, it will no longer be exempt from the rules described above and, among other things, will be required to file periodic reports and annual and quarterly financial statements as if we were a company incorporated in the United States. If this were to happen, we would likely incur substantial costs in fulfilling these additional regulatory requirements, including costs related to the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and members of our management would likely have to divert time and resources from other responsibilities to ensuring these additional regulatory requirements are fulfilled.
Because we are a “controlled company” as defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, you may not have protections of certain corporate governance requirements which otherwise are required by Nasdaq’s rules.
Under Nasdaq’s rules, a controlled company is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company. We are a controlled company because 3DOM Alliance, our parent company, holds more than 50% of our voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company, we are not required to comply
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with the following permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from the obligation to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:
As a result, if we take advantage of these exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements. We intend to take advantage some of these controlled company exemptions. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and certain judgement obtained against our directors and officers may not be enforceable.
We are an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and we conduct a majority of its operations through our subsidiary, noco-noco Pte. Ltd, outside the United States. Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. All of our current officers and directors are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States and a substantial portion of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it could be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals outside of the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed upon under the applicable securities laws or otherwise and it will be difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon our officers or directors, or enforce judgments obtained in United States courts against our officers or directors. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the jurisdictions that comprise the Asian region could render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. In addition, it is unclear if any applicable extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and Asia markets would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties of U.S. federal securities laws.
In addition, our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (“Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association”), the Cayman Islands Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to our Company under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England and Wales, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law may not be as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a different body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, may have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association, any special resolutions passed by such companies and the register of mortgages and charges of such companies) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors will have discretion under our Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by its shareholders, but we are not obliged to make them available to the shareholders (subject to limited circumstances in which an inspector may be appointed to report on the affairs of our Company). This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
The courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state securities laws; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or any state securities laws, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment without any re-examination or re-litigation of matters adjudicated upon, provided such judgment: (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (c) is final; (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; (e) was not obtained by fraud; and (f) is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. Subject to the above limitations, in appropriate circumstances, a Cayman Islands court may give effect in the Cayman Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
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We are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with corporate governance listing standards.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from corporate governance listing standards as, except for general fiduciary duties and duties of care, Cayman Islands law has no corporate governance regime which prescribes specific corporate governance standards. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would have under corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
As a result of all of the above, our shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.
The ability of our operating subsidiaries in certain Asia markets to distribute dividends to us may be subject to restrictions under their respective laws.
We are a holding company, and our operating subsidiaries may be located in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Australia, or PNG. Part of our primary internal sources of funds to meet its cash needs will be its share of the dividends, if any, paid by our operating subsidiaries. The distribution of dividends to us from the operating subsidiaries in these markets as well as other markets where we may operate is subject to restrictions imposed by the applicable laws and regulations in these markets.
It is not expected that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
It is expected that we will retain most, if not all, of its available funds and any future earnings after the Business Combination to fund the development and growth of its business. As a result, it is not expected that we will pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our board of directors have complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if the board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on the future results of operations and cash flow, capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our operating subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. Holders of our Securities should not rely on an investment in our Securities as a source for any future dividend income. You may not realize a return on your investment in our Securities and you may even lose your entire investment in our Securities.
Risks Related to Taxation
We may not achieve the intended tax efficiencies of our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements, which could increase our worldwide effective tax rate.
Our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements, including but not limited to the manner in which we conduct our intercompany and related party transactions, are intended to provide us with worldwide tax efficiencies. The application of tax laws of various jurisdictions to our business activities is subject to interpretation and also depends on our ability to operate our business in a manner consistent with our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements. The tax authorities of jurisdictions where we operate may challenge our methodologies for intercompany and related party arrangements, including but not limited to transfer pricing, or determine that the manner in which we operate does not achieve the intended tax consequences, which could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
A certain degree of judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. For example, our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by lower than anticipated earnings in markets where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated earnings in markets where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in foreign currency exchange rates or by changes in the relevant tax, accounting and other laws, regulations, principles and interpretations. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
We could face uncertain tax liabilities in various jurisdictions in which we operate, which could adversely impact our operating results.
We are subject to the tax laws and policies of each of the countries in which we operate. Since legislation and other laws and regulations (particularly in relation to tax) in emerging markets, such as the markets where we operate, are often undeveloped and the
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interpretation, application and enforcement of tax laws and policies in emerging market countries is uncertain, there is a risk that we may be unable to determine our taxation obligations with certainty.
We obtain external tax advice from time to time on the application of tax laws to our operations. Due to the aforementioned challenges of interpretation and consistency of application and enforcement, obtaining such advice may be difficult and opinions on the law may differ. The determination of our provision for tax liabilities requires significant judgment and estimation and there are classifications, transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax payable is uncertain.
Our tax exposure and obligations exist in each of the jurisdictions in which we presently operate and may arise in other jurisdictions in the future in the event that we commence operations in such new jurisdictions, either organically or through acquisitions. These risks may increase when we acquire a business, particularly to the extent that there are limitations or restrictions on the scope or nature of the financial, tax and other due diligence investigations that we are able to undertake in connection with the acquisition, or where the vendors withhold material information. Given the nature of our business, we are also exposed to the general changes in digital taxation policy that are happening globally.
From time to time, we establish provisions to account for uncertainties as well as timing and accounting differences in respect of income tax and indirect taxes, including but not limited to in relation to businesses that are acquired by us. While we have established our tax and other provisions using assumptions and estimates that we believe to be reasonable, these provisions may prove insufficient given the risks and uncertainties inherent in the taxation systems in the countries where we operate. Any adverse determinations by a revenue authority in relation to our tax obligations may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and may adversely impact our operations in the relevant jurisdiction and our reputation.
We may be or become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for any taxable year in which, after the application of certain look-through rules with respect to subsidiaries, either (i) at least 75% of our gross income consists of passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of our assets (generally determined on a quarterly basis) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and certain capital gains. Cash is generally a passive asset. Goodwill is active to the extent attributable to activities that produce or are intended to produce active income. Based on the current and projected composition of our income and assets, and the expected value of our assets, including goodwill, which is based on the expected price of our Ordinary Shares, we do not expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year. However, because PFIC status is determined on an annual basis, and any determination of PFIC status may not be known until the close of each taxable year in question, and our PFIC status for the current taxable year and any future taxable year will depend upon the future composition of our income and assets, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds Ordinary Shares, we generally would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. investor for all succeeding taxable years during which the U.S. investor holds such Ordinary Shares, even if we ceased to meet the threshold requirements for PFIC status. In such case, such a U.S. investor generally will be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including (i) the treatment of all or a portion of any gain on disposition of Ordinary Shares as ordinary income, (ii) the application of a deferred interest charge on such gain and the receipt of certain dividends and (iii) compliance with certain reporting requirements. We do not intend to provide the information that would enable investors to make a qualified electing fund election that could mitigate the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences should we be a PFIC. You are urged to consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of Ordinary Shares if we are to become classified as a PFIC.
For further discussion, see “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consideration.”
IITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
We were incorporated as an exempted company limited by shares on December 28, 2022. Upon the consummation of Business Combination on August 25, 2023, “noco-noco Inc.” (formerly known as Prime Number Holding Limited) became the ultimate corporate parent of our Group. On August 28, 2023, our Ordinary Shares and Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW,” respectively.
The legal name of the Company is noco-noco Inc. The Company was incorporated as an exempted company limited by shares on December 28, 2022. The Company has been the consolidating entity for purposes of noco-noco’s financial statements since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 25, 2023. The history and development of the Company and the material terms of the Business Combination are set forth in the Form F-4 in the sections entitled “Summary of the Proxy Statement/
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Prospectus,” “The Business Combination Proposal,” “Information related to PubCo” and “Description of PubCo Securities,” which are incorporated herein by reference. See “Explanatory Note” in this Report for additional information regarding the Company and the Business Combination. Certain information about the Company is set forth in “Item 4.B — Business Overview” and is incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of the Business Combination are set forth in Item 10 of this Report.
The Company’s registered office is at 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-9009, Cayman Islands, and its principal executive office is 4 Shenton Way, #04-06 SGX Centre II, Singapore 068807. The Company’s principal website address is www.noco-noco.com. We do not incorporate the information contained on, or accessible through, the Company’s websites into this Report, and you should not consider it a part of this Report. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.
The following discussion reflects the business of noco-noco. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “noco-noco” refers collectively to noco-noco Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Overview
We are an early-stage decarbonization solution provider in Asia, aiming to primarily engage in (i) the leasing of battery products, including batteries and BEVs to commercial transportation companies, and of ESS to renewable power plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power; and (ii) carbon abatement solutions for landowners and carbon credit sales.
We operate a unique own-and-lease business model where we manufacture, upon our clients’ requests, our battery products through OEMs and lease them to our clients. The own-and-lease business model, as compared to sales of battery products, helps our clients save upfront investment and operation capital expenditure. Under such business model, we also partner with automakers and OEMs to conduct our leasing business in the regions where our partners operate, to protect ourselves from capital, operational, and local regulatory risks.
We rely on our exclusive license-in agreement with 3DOM Alliance to utilize its state-of-the-art intellectual property and technologies to develop and manufacture our own battery products and services. These state-of-the-art technologies enable us to produce batteries that we believe, as compared to conventional batteries, are designed to have a longer lifespan and higher reliability, and be more resistant to high operating temperature and thermal runaways. Our unique position with 3DOM Alliance as the exclusive licensee of its patents and technologies also allows us to take full advantage of the technology advancement that 3DOM Alliance has developed or licensed in through various cooperation and collaboration arrangements with leading universities and professors for our battery products. To scale our business and to improve our productivity, we also entered into several MOUs with our strategic partners, including primarily well-known automakers and battery manufacturers.
In addition, we engage in carbon abatement solutions and carbon credit sales. We work with our landowner clients to reduce their excessive carbon emissions and generate carbon credits. These carbon credits can be sold back to the regulators, or on the secondary market through our network of clients, the revenue generated from which is shared between our landowner clients and us. We sell the carbon credits to companies in need of carbon offsets through our active marketing efforts. We also cross-sell them to our battery business clients to offset carbon emissions from their operations, in addition to leasing them our battery products. As our battery business clients are generally under pressure to decarbonize their business operations, our cross-selling of carbon credits in addition to our leasing business will increase our competitiveness and generate synergies among our product and service offerings.
Leveraging the state-of-the-art technologies of our battery products, our unique own-and-lease business model as well as the cross-selling to our battery business clients of carbon credits gained through our carbon abatement solutions, we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the global momentum towards electrification of transportation and the global carbon emission reduction goal.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the following competitive strengths have contributed to our maturity and will help drive our growth in the future.
State-of-the-art Technologies Enables Highly Reliable and Longer-lasting Battery Products
We license in a series of state-of-the-art patents and technologies from 3DOM Alliance, our majority shareholder, with respect to, among others, battery cascade use, battery management system, battery cell and pack model, and battery units. These technologies enable us to produce batteries that, as compared to conventional batteries, are designed to have a longer lifespan and higher reliability, and be more resistant to high operating temperature and thermal runaways. For example, due to the higher porosity and uniformly spaced 3-dimensional structure of the pores of our separators, ionic conductivity becomes more efficient, thus reducing the formation
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of dendrites, which are the major source of battery unsafe risks, such as fire, quick deterioration, and poor resilience to high temperatures. Further, with the high porosity, our separators are much more wettable than conventional separators. This enables the use of high-viscosity, low-volatility electrolytes in our batteries, increasing their resistance to fire or degradation from heat and high temperatures. Thus, our batteries can also avoid the rapid deterioration resulting from intense heat conditions, which cause problems to conventional batteries with low-viscosity electrolytes.
In addition, our unique position with 3DOM Alliance as the exclusive licensee of its patents and technologies allows us to take full advantage of the technological advancement that 3DOM Alliance has developed or licensed in through various cooperation and collaboration arrangements with leading universities and professors for our battery products. For example, Professor Kiyoshi Kanamura, a leading Japanese authority in battery research and the chief technology officer of 3DOM Alliance, licensed the exclusive right of his patent “secondary battery separator and lithium secondary battery using the separator” to 3DOM Alliance in October 2011. This critical patent enables 3DOM Alliance to develop, and us to use, manufacture, and lease, our highly-reliable and long-life batteries. 3DOM Alliance also received technical support from a well-known university in Japan for its R&D of highly- reliable and long-life battery separators, supplementing 3DOM Alliance’s R&D capabilities. The cooperation with and support received from leading universities and professors is a recognition of 3DOM Alliance’s R&D capabilities in the battery industry, which enables us to produce highly-reliable and long-life batteries to better serve our clients’ interests.
Unique Own-and-Lease Business Model Makes Our Battery Products Cost-effective
We operate a unique own-and-lease business model where we manufacture upon our clients’ requests, through OEMs, our battery products, including batteries, BEVs and ESS, and lease them to our clients, primarily consisting of commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power in Asia. Traditionally, it would cost tremendous upfront capital expenditure and operation expenses for companies to purchase the battery products. However, under our own-and-lease business model, our clients only need to lease our battery products without having to purchase them, enabling our clients’ operation of BEVs and renewable energy plants more affordable. In addition, due to the advanced technology licensed-in from 3DOM Alliance, our batteries generally have a lifespan doubling that of conventional batteries, which indicates our batteries generally have approximately 30% to 35% lower price per cycle as compared to conventional batteries. Based on an internal evaluation, our X-SEPA battery with a 1C rate was tested over 4,500 cycles, and by applying the square root law to the test results, was found to be able to continue for 6,000 cycles before decreasing to a state of health (“SOH”) of 60%. A similar battery using a conventional separator, however, can last only 2,800 cycles before decreasing to an SOH of 60%. Evaluations in March 2023 produced more impressive results, with the life of our X-SEPA battery achieving 6,400 cycles at a higher SOH of 70%. Recent evaluations in April 2023 showed that our X-SEPA battery equipped with high temperature-resistant electrolyte was found theoretically possible to achieve approximately 9,000 cycles before decreasing to an SOH of 60%. The longer lifespan of our batteries also entitles our batteries to have two useful lives — our batteries can be used in BEVs for e-motorbikes, e-vans, e-buses, and e-trucks in their first life cycle (typically for lease up to eight years), and then in ESS for renewable power plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power in their second life cycle (typically for lease up to ten years). This cascade usage model, with the long-term instalment of lease payments, is expected to help us attract clients whose operation is capital intensive.
As high capital expenditure is a major deterrence to the electrification of the transportation industry and also the transformation from fossil fuel power to renewable power, we believe our own-and-lease business model is essential to accelerate the transitioning from ICE vehicles to BEVs and the universal use of ESS to support and optimize renewable power generation.
Strategic Cooperation and Partnerships with Market Players
We have entered into a series of MOUs with well-known automakers and OEM partners to establish strategic business partnerships, with the ultimate goal of deploying our batteries in certain of their forthcoming battery powered EVs. For example, we have entered into an LOI with B-ON K.K. (“B-ON”) to employ our battery cells for its 3-and 4-wheeled electric light commercial vehicles. We believe the successful joint development of battery technologies as well as the incorporation of our batteries into well-known automakers’ vehicles will enormously expand our business and operations as well as enhance our brand name.
In addition, we intend to cooperate with an e-waste recycling service provider to collect our used batteries to synergize with our carbon abatement solution business.
Carbon Abatement and Credit Generation Capability Add Value to Our Leasing Business
We assist our clients, primarily landowners of forests, mangrove, bushland or land of similar kinds, to reduce their carbon emissions or absorb carbon, and earn carbon credits generated from the carbon abatement projects. Specifically, we plan methodologies of reducing and/or removing carbon emissions while creating revenue by operating a general carbon credit account, procuring carbon credits through submission to regulators, and securing subsequent buyers for sales of carbon credits, leveraging our information technology, science and mapping capabilities. We typically form a joint venture or partnership with our clients to carry out the carbon abatement projects. When certain requirements and criteria of carbon emissions are met, our clients can apply for carbon credits from government-introduced regulators. These carbon credits can be sold back to these regulators, or on the secondary
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market through our network of clients, revenue generated from which is shared according to a pre-agreed ratio between our landowner clients and us.
In addition, leveraging our carbon credits generation capability, we are able to cross-sell the carbon credits generated through our carbon abatement projects to our battery product clients, who are keen to reduce their carbon emissions generated during their operations. As these clients are typically under pressure to decarbonize their business operations, our cross-selling of carbon credits in addition to our leasing business we believe will increase our competitiveness and generate synergies among our product and service offerings. In particular, with our carbon credit generation capability, we are able to provide leasing services and carbon credit sales in a bundle, on the one hand, helping our battery product clients to offset the carbon emissions generated by their operations, and on the other hand, improving our clients’ stickiness and generating additional profits. The synergies between our two business segments earn us both preference by our clients and strategic cooperation opportunities. For example, B-ON entered into an LOI with us, intending to cooperate on commercial car lease with available carbon credits. As zero carbon has become a global goal and international tradability of carbon credits has become available and popular, we believe we are well positioned to potentially reap substantial returns from the synergies and cross-selling between our battery business and carbon credits business.
Experienced Management and Synergy with 3DOM Alliance
We are led and influenced by an experienced CEO, Mr. Masataka Matsumura, who is deeply rooted in the battery industry. Mr. Matsumura’s deep business insights have driven the sustainable development of our strategic business direction. His strategic vision and thorough understanding of the battery industry helps us make crucial business decisions based on market trends and development.
Since our inception, we have received strong support from, and achieved great synergy with, our majority shareholder, 3DOM Alliance. 3DOM Alliance is a forerunner in the R&D of battery technologies, including battery separators and lithium-ion batteries, which has been named as an innovation project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization for two consecutive years. Benefiting from the market recognition of the “3DOM” brand, we believe we are well positioned to promote our service offerings among our clients and differentiate ourselves from our competitors.
Our Decarbonization Solutions
We are an early-stage decarbonization solution provider in Asia, aiming to primarily engage in (i) the leasing of battery products, including batteries and BEVs to commercial transportation companies, and of ESS to renewable power plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power; and (ii) carbon abatement solutions for landowners and carbon credit sales.
Own-and-Lease of Battery Products
We operate a unique own-and-lease business model where we manufacture, upon our clients’ requests, our battery products through OEMs, including batteries, BEVs and ESS, and lease them to our clients, primarily consisting of commercial transportation companies, renewable energy plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power in Asia. Traditionally, it would cost tremendous upfront capital expenditure and operation expenses for companies to purchase the battery products. However, under our own-and-lease business model, our clients only need to lease our battery products without having to purchase them, enabling operation of BEVs and renewable energy plants more affordable. Alternatively, our clients are also able to place orders to customize their battery products with specific specifications using the licensed-in X-SEPA separator technology. See “— Our Pipeline Products and Services — X-SEPA Separator.” We expect to generate revenue from our leasing business of battery products during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Leasing of Batteries and BEVs
We plan to partner with automakers and manufacturers to conduct our leasing business of batteries and BEVs. We plan to cooperate with automakers as OEMs to produce BEV bodies upon orders placed by our clients to satisfy their demand. We also plan to engage battery manufacturers as OEMs for the mass manufacturing of our highly reliable and long-life batteries, which will be applied to our BEVs. Our BEVs are expected to be leased to our clients at a cost-effective rate to attract more clients and achieve our competitiveness among our competitors. These BEVs may include e-buses, e-vans, e-trucks, e-motorbikes, and last-mile delivery vehicles. We expect to focus our operations in the Southeast Asia and South Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and Singapore. In addition, we plan to leverage our in-house battery management system (“BMS”) integrated with data process and mesh networking technologies to optimize energy usage of our battery products and to develop intelligent batteries.
Leasing of ESS
We plan to lease our ESS incorporating our highly reliable and long-life batteries to power producers, including renewable energy plants and other power plants requiring grid stabilization and backup power. We also expect to provide key technological solutions to help resolve battery-related issues in our clients’ energy storage process. With our highly reliable and long-life batteries and systems that can monitor battery conditions and allocate batteries for primary or secondary use, we believe our clients will be able
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to lower the costs of their energy storage solutions. In addition, we plan to explore together with our clients on opportunities to apply our batteries to a broader coverage of energy storage, including developing battery systems for the electrification of commercial vessels, and using battery tankers to transport energy from offshore farms to onshore ones.
Carbon Abatement Solutions and Carbon Credit Sales
We provide our carbon abatement solutions to help our clients reduce their excessive carbon emissions and generate carbon credits. Specifically, we plan methodologies of reducing and/or removing carbon emissions while creating revenue by operating a general carbon credit account, procuring carbon credits through submission to regulators, and securing subsequent buyers for sales of carbon credits, leveraging our information technology, science and mapping capabilities. We typically form a joint venture or a partnership with our landowner clients to carry out the carbon abatement projects. See “— Key Terms of Carbon Abatement Project Agreement” for more details regarding the arrangements of our carbon abatement projects.
We undertake extensive geography survey mapping to create an overlay of the potential target areas, and identify existing and new activities in land, vegetation, crops and others to analyze their carbon abatement potentials. By using carbon-based feasibility studies, geo-fencing and land analysis, we map the farming enterprise and calculate the current emissions. For example, we conduct on-ground site measurements combined with satellite mapping to mark the area that can be covered under subsequent applications, and assess the current status of the vegetation and carbon capture and prepare a roadmap for future development of the area to further enhance the carbon absorption potential. Thus, we can project the reduction in emissions based on each modeled, recommended change from the initial farm carbon deficit to increase value for the project by creating new registerable carbon credits. Initial set up costs, including mapping and feasibility study costs, are disbursed by the landowners. Subsequently, we prepare an application for each carbon abatement project with the relevant government regulators, which identifies the specific land and provides extensive mapping data. Upon the submission of the application, the regulators will determine the value of the carbon abatement projects based on the application material and allocate a certain amount of carbon credits based on the mapping, type, volume and lifetime of the land.
Our carbon abatement projects primarily include carbon farming projects, deforestation avoidance projects, and rural afforestation projects. Carbon farming projects use farming in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions or captures and holds carbon in vegetation and soils. We provide consultancy and assistance to landowners while working cohesively to set up and commence carbon farming activities to reduce carbon emission and earn carbon credits. For deforestation avoidance projects, we work with landowners to promote agricultural planning and production that avoids tree- clearing, advocating stronger biodiversity to protect rural habitat. In parallel, we campaign for a halt to deforestation across the Asia-Pacific. A reforestation and afforestation project involves planting trees in agricultural areas. In doing so, the project helps to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere, as carbon stock remains stored in the trees while they grow.
We also execute for our clients the sales of their carbon credits generated during the process of carbon abatement projects. When certain requirements and criteria of carbon emissions are met, our clients can apply for carbon credits from government-introduced regulators. These criteria include definitive action plans to re-afforest the land tracts, conversion of methane generated from livestock in the farms into an alternative energy sources, and implementing a consisting clearing and pruning of grassland farms to avoid savannah burning from dry grass, to name a few. The carbon credits can be sold back to the regulators, or on the secondary market through our network of clients, revenue generated from which is shared according to a pre-agreed ratio between our landowner clients and us. We sell the carbon credits to companies in need of carbon offsets through our active marketing efforts. We also cross-sell these carbon credits to our battery product clients, in addition to leasing them our battery products.
Our business of carbon abatement solutions and carbon credit sales currently primarily operates in Australia and PNG, and expects to expand into Indonesia, the Philippines, and Fiji in the future. According to the relevant laws and regulations in Australia and PNG, no specific license is required to conduct the business.
Australia
In Australia, we offer carbon abatement projects using a variety of agricultural methods that sequester atmospheric carbon in soil, crop vegetation, and biomass. Our solutions include storing carbon in their soils, planting native trees and shrubs, managing stock to allow native forest to regrow, beef herd improvement, and reducing nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated crops. With these carbon-neutral effects, we can assist these landowners to set up ERF projects and apply for ACCUs. The ACCUs can be used by landowners to offset their carbon emissions, are tradable in the secondary markets, and can be sold back to the CER, the authority that administers the ERF which supplies ACCUs.
ERF Projects
We submit for individual carbon project on the ERF government portal for approvals of issuance of an ERF carbon contract or credits. We are entitled to conduct carbon abatement projects on the sites within Australia and PNG and can claim carbon credits for emission abatement achieved by such projects.
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Carbon credits are issued upon acceptance of the carbon abatement project by the CER. We are responsible for facilitating the processes of auditable reports, carbon project registrations, carbon abatement contracts and other display information required for the issuance, marketing, auditing, and accounting of carbon credits through the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units for auction or re-sale in the carbon market.
We can sell the carbon credits to third parties via auction or direct sales in the carbon market. We can use the Carbon Market Institute Carbon Marketplace for auction of the carbon credits, or sell the carbon credits directly to third parties through our worldwide network that are under pressure to reduce carbon emission for direct sales. As of the date of this Report, we had contracted and submitted six carbon abatement projects to the CER, totaling 65,000 hectares and are estimated to produce around 1 million ACCUs.
PNG
The carbon market in PNG operates differently to that of the Australia as a result of minimal regulatory frameworks in place. There are voluntary carbon schemes and governmental schemes in PNG, which are agreements negotiated directly with landowners with little governmental intervention.
Following the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties in Glasgow (COP 26), Australia, Fiji and PNG have collaborated to generate high-integrity carbon offsets in the Indo-Pacific market by virtue of the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme. See “— Government Regulations.”
As of the date of this Report, we have contracted to deliver over 30 carbon abatement projects in PNG, totaling 5.3 million hectares and are estimated to produce around 159 million tons PNG carbon credits. In addition, as of the same date, we had successfully submitted 11 of these carbon abatement projects, totaling 4.3 million hectares and producing around 128 million carbon credits.
On August 29, 2023, the Climate Change and Development Authority (“CCDA”) of PNG acknowledged, by way of an official letter, its support for two carbon abatement projects in PNG that have been submitted by a subsidiary of Hop2it Holdings Pte. Ltd. (“Hop2it”) to the CCDA.
These two projects, amongst more than 30 contracted projects secured by Hop2it in PNG involve deforestation avoidance. The shareholders of Hop2it, which are noco-noco and two minority shareholders, have a restructuring deed with noco-noco Pte. Ltd.., whereby 52% of the profits from Hop2it’s carbon abatement projects will be paid to us. Furthermore, under the terms of the deed, Hop2it’s carbon abatement management business and all future potential economic benefits of Hop2it’s carbon abatement management business will be carried out through and assigned to noco-noco Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of ours, 52% of which is owned by noco-noco and 48% of which is owned by the minority shareholders of Hop2it.
The first two projects that the CCDA has reviewed are (1) the An Orumako Customary Landowner Area in the Kikori District, Gulf Province, and (2) the Cloudy Bay Customary Landowner Area in the Abau District, Central Province. The size of these land plots are 52,750 hectares and 148,434 hectares respectively. The CCDA recognizes that:
Key Terms of Carbon Abatement Project Agreement
We typically form a joint venture or a partnership with our landowner clients to carry out the carbon abatement projects in Australia and PNG, the key terms of which are set out below:
Purpose of the joint venture or partnership. The parties form a joint venture or a partnership to combine expertise, management and property resources to support reduction of emissions and produce additional revenue for our clients through the issue of carbon credits for sale on the domestic and international markets.
Service term and renewal. The agreement typically remains in full force and effect from its date up to 2030 (the “Initial Term”). Upon the expiration of the Initial Term, the agreement shall be automatically renewed each time for a successive five-year period until 2050, subject to either party’s prior written notice of termination before the expiration of the Initial Term or any renewed term.
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Our services. We provide geo-survey services and map all carbon sequestration capabilities of our clients for the purposes of identifying all carbon abatement capabilities of any existing pastured land, vegetation, crops, mangrove, forests or grasslands that may exist on land provided by the clients and to be managed by us. In particular, our services include carbon-based feasibility studies, geo-fencing and analysis of the land for the identification of carbon emissions and submission of contracts and other governmental documents for the issue of carbon credits.
Regulatory submission and approval. As the carbon abatement manager and registration agent, we manage the regulatory submission process as well as domestic and international sales and marketing of the carbon credits derived from the carbon abatement projects. In particular, we provide and operate an online portal with the CER, and provide access to government audits and carbon credit certificate issues on account. The government typically issues a valid carbon credit certificate upon an approved carbon project contract within 90 days of submission.
Sales of carbon. We sell the carbon credits to third party companies via auction or direct sales in domestic markets, or in international markets through our commercial relationships abroad.
Distribution of carbon credit sales revenue. The net proceeds, after deduction of operating expenses and disbursements, are split between the parties at a pre-agreed percentage. Typically, 20% to 60% of the net proceeds will be distributed to us with the rest 80% to 40% distributed to landowner clients and project officers (if any) as a whole.
Payment schedule. Our landowners clients and we agree to a guaranteed base price set for an initial term. We arrange to make payments within three working days of the initial deposit made by the government or from international exchange market or direct sales buyers. When profits generated from the carbon abatement projects exceed the base price by a pre-agreed percentage, our landowner clients will receive additional payment.
Exclusivity. Due to the specialized nature of the carbon abatement industry and the longevity of our participation in the project, the agreement is entered into on an exclusive basis.
Confidentiality. Neither party is entitled to disclose any confidential information relating to the other party’s business to any person or entity without the express written consent of the affected party, except as required by law.
Termination. Either party may terminate the agreements by prior written notice to the other party at least 30 days before (but in no case more than 60 days before) the expiration of the Initial Term or any renewed term. At any time, the agreement may also be terminated by mutual written consent of the parties. When the agreement expires or terminates, all parties’ obligations under the agreement with respect to the operation and administration of the joint venture shall be immediately terminated.
Our Pipeline Products and Services
Our primary pipeline products include (i) X-SEPA separator and (ii) lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode.
X-SEPA Separator
Our batteries equipped with X-SEPA separator, developed by 3DOM Alliance after eight years of research and development, is more reliable and longer-lasting compared with conventional batteries, due to our X-SEPA separator’s high and uniformed porosity, high liquid absorption, and high heat resistance. Below is the illustrative picture of the structure of our batteries using X-SEPA separators:
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Our X-SEPA separator has the unique advantage of high and uniform porosity, which is the key to high ionic conductivity, resulting in long battery lifespan and the avoidance of dendrite formation, which is the main cause of fire and explosions and fast battery deterioration. X-SEPA separator is capable of having more than 70% porosity, compared to around 40% porosity for conventional separators. Conventional separators are made through a uniaxial stretching method, which can only produce irregularly shaped and randomly distributed pores by tearing. In our case, we are able to produce, through 3DOM Alliance, pores that are uniformed and with high density through unique manufacturing process using polyimide precursor with beads and put through a process of drying and detachment, imidization and thermal removal of the beads, hence creating pores that are regular in shape and evenly distributed. Below is the illustrative picture showing the different production methods between a general-purpose PP separator and our X-SEPA separator:
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The unique methodology of producing X-SEPA separators enables us to offer customized separators with pre-specified pore sizes and density, which helps achieve desired battery performance parameters. Furthermore, through a 3-layer die configuration, we are now able to offer separators with 3 layers with the middle layer being of low porosity and the two outer layers of high porosity. The middle layer can provide strength to the overall separator, whilst the outer layers of high porosity can increase the lifespan and make possible high C charge/discharge rates for the battery without causing damage and deterioration. Below is the illustrative picture of the structure of our X-SEPA separators:
In addition, X-SEPA separator has a high wettability due to its high and uniform porosity. This enables us to use high viscosity electrolytes, which are non-volatile and can prevent explosion. Such electrolytes, which have up to 30 times more viscosity than conventional electrolytes, are also less prone to evaporation at high temperatures, and thus can enhance battery performance. A 25mAh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, with non-volatile electrolyte and using X-SEPA separator, can last 600 cycles to the point when capacity retention drops to 60% at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius and at 0.5C charge/discharge rate. A similar battery without X-SEPA separator can last only 370 cycles in the same condition. X-SEPA separator is hence essential for producing batteries which can withstand very high operating temperature conditions without fast deterioration of battery function.
Furthermore, our batteries, with the X-SEPA separator fitted in, are found to be high heat resistant, have high reliability in abnormal conditions and a near doubling of lifespan of other batteries. Capacity retention of our battery with X-SEPA separator only falls to 60% after 7,300 cycles, at an operating temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and a 1C rate, whereas a battery without X-SEPA separator drops to 60% retention after 3,300 cycles in the same condition. If the operating temperature goes up to 45 degrees Celsius, our battery falls to 60% retention after 3,600 cycles whilst the other can last only 1,450 cycles. In a recent testing at 60 degrees Celsius, our battery was able to reach 2,000 cycles before retention capacity dropped to 80%, which was approximately five times of the cycles achievable by other batteries. Nail penetration testing on the battery cell with a conventional separator had resulted in thermal runaway and venting, corresponding to European Council for Automotive R&D (“EUCAR”) hazard level 4, while testing on the battery cell equipped with our X-SEPA separator did not result in thermal runaway and produced no smoke or flame, corresponding to EUCAR hazard level 2.
The high uniform porosity of X-SEPA separator also makes it highly suitable for lithium-metal anode, solid-electrolyte batteries. A lithium-metal anode battery sample was developed and tested in July 2020, with successful achievement of 200 cycles for 400Wh/kg energy density. We expect the mass production of single layer separator to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, and 3-layer samples have been provided for client testing since February 2023. Mass manufacturing of 3-layer separator is targeted to commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. The manufacturing of X-SEPA separators is expected to be carried out by 3DOM Alliance and OEMs.
Below is a diagram showing the differences between conventional batteries and our batteries using X-SEPA separators:
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Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) Cathode
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are increasingly used in place of nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries which are more expensive, but LFP batteries have the disadvantage of lower energy density. In 2014, 3DOM Alliance developed a battery using a cathode fabricated with lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate (LMFP), which has more energy density and cost less, as compared with LFP batteries. Our LMFP batteries developed by 3DOM Alliance have about 30% higher energy density than LFP batteries and a lifespan of about 6,000 cycles compared to 3,000 cycles for third party LFP batteries. Although the average cost of our LMFP batteries is higher than that of the LFP batteries, due to the much longer lifespan, cost of our LMFP batteries per cycle is about 35% lower. We expect to commence commercialization of the LMFP cathode in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Relationship with 3DOM Alliance
3DOM Alliance is our majority shareholder which engages in the R&D of various battery technologies. The history of 3DOM Alliance can be traced back to 2011 when the patent of “secondary battery separator and lithium secondary battery using the separator” was granted by Japan Patent Office to Professor Kiyoshi Kanamura, and subsequently licensed exclusively to 3DOM Technology Inc., the predecessor of 3DOM Alliance. During 2015 to 2017, 3DOM Alliance was among the list of technology innovation projects and enjoyed a series of governmental and university support. In 2018, 3DOM Alliance began making samples of solid-state batteries, and later in the following year, delivered the first supply of batteries using its proprietary battery technology to a BEV maker. In 2019, 3DOM Alliance also began the development of application for ESS. In 2020, 3DOM Alliance installed a small-scale production line for its separator X-SEPA, producing lithium-metal anode battery samples for testing.
We entered into an exclusive, irrevocable license-in agreement with 3DOM Alliance, on November 22, 2022, enabling us to manufacture our battery products with 3DOM Alliance’s cutting-edge technologies. Pursuant to our agreement, 3DOM Alliance granted us certain of its proprietary and licensed-in patents and other intellectual properties, as well as confidential know-how and other information, relating to, among others, battery cascade use, battery management system, battery cell and pack module, leasing with carbon credit, business model task distribution equipment, battery unit, electronic equipment control equipment communication terminals and electronic equipment, degradation-based billing prediction, and degradation- based billing forecasting (“3DOM IP Rights”).
Key Terms of the License-in Agreement
Below set out the key terms of the license-in agreement entered by 3DOM Alliance and us:
Term: The term of the license-in agreement is perpetual, unless terminated upon default, or upon bankruptcy or insolvency.
Grant of license: 3DOM Alliance grants us a worldwide, exclusive, irrevocable license on 3DOM IP Rights to make, import, export, use, or sell products which incorporates or is the result of the licensed 3DOM IP Rights (“Licensed Product”).
Technical assistance: 3DOM Alliance shall provide technical assistance for us to utilize 3DOM IP Rights.
Right of first refusal: We have the right of first refusal to enter into negotiations to license in any further intellectual properties from 3DOM Alliance that it owns or acquires, when 3DOM Alliance intends to license out its intellectual properties.
Exclusivity: 3DOM Alliance shall not practice or grant to any third parties any license to practice the 3DOM IP Rights within the scope of the license granted to us perpetually.
Royalties: We are obligated to pay 3DOM Alliance royalties quarterly within sixty (60) days after the end of each quarter, equal to three percent (3%) of the gross profit generated using each of 3DOM IP Rights. The royalty rate can be revised by mutual written consent. After the first anniversary of the effective date of the license-in agreement, either party shall have the right to negotiate to adjust the royalty rate annually.
Termination: Either party can terminate the license-in agreement when the other party fails to pay any amounts when due with a thirty (30) days’ written notice, or when the other party fails to perform any obligation and fails to cure within the sixty (60) days’ notice period. Upon the occurrence of any aforementioned event of default, the non-defaulting party shall deliver to the defaulting party a written notice of intent to terminate, such termination shall be effective upon the date set forth in such notice. 3DOM Alliance may also terminate the license-in agreement with a written notice upon our bankruptcy or insolvency.
Assignment: Any and all assignments of the license-in agreement or any granted rights by us are void, except for assigning (i) to any of our affiliates, or (ii) as expressly permitted under the agreement.
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Upfront payment: We are obligated to pay a one-off, refundable upfront payment of $30 million licensing fee to 3DOM Alliance. Such upfront payment shall be credited against any royalties under the agreement such that the amount of the upfront payment shall be deducted from the royalties when due and payable. In the event that the upfront payment has any remaining amount after the last deduction from the royalties at the end of a five- year period from the last instalment of the upfront payment, the remaining unutilized amount shall be refunded to us at our request. Pursuant to a supplemental agreement to the license-in agreement dated May 10, 2023 (the “Supplemental Agreement”), the upfront payment shall be payable over a series of instalments after the consummation of the Business Combination, in such amounts and pursuant to such repayment schedule as may be agreed between 3DOM Alliance and us. Both parties shall negotiate the installment plan in good faith, taking into consideration our working capital needs as well as our liquidity and available capital resources after the consummation of the Business Combination.
Obligations related to commercialization: We shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary governmental approvals for exercising the intellectual property rights under the license-in agreement, including the development, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of any Licensed Product, at our expense, including, without limitation, any safety studies. We shall have sole responsibility for any warning labels, packaging and instructions as to the use of Licensed Products and for the quality control for any Licensed Product. 3DOM Alliance agrees to provide reasonable assistance to our company, including through the provision of 3DOM’s know-hows, with regard to obtaining said approval, exercising the intellectual property rights, and conducting quality control. With regard to commercializing 3DOM IP Rights, we shall regularly coordinate and consult with 3DOM Alliance in developing and implementing our business plans for the earlier of the following periods: the first three years after the execution of the license-in agreement or upon the reasonable determination by 3DOM Alliance that such coordination and consultation is no longer necessary.
Royalty-free license to improvements: We shall own all the rights of the improvements to the Licensed Products it creates (the “Improvements”) to the extent that such Improvements are not contained within the scope of 3DOM IP Rights. We granted to 3DOM Alliance a non-exclusive, royalty- free license of the Improvements, strictly for 3DOM Alliance’s non-commercial research purposes, without limitation as to time or geographic area, with the right for 3DOM Alliance to sublicense to other non-profit institutions for their non-commercial research purposes.
Government funding: Our rights and obligations under the license are subject to change due to 3DOM Alliance’s obligations in connection with any funding or other support from an interested government.
Government Regulations
Singapore
Regulations on Environmental Protection and Resource Sustainability
The import, storage, usage, dealing and disposal of batteries in Singapore are regulated under several legislation in Singapore, including but not limited to the Environmental Protection and Management Act 1999 of Singapore (the “EPMA”) and the Environmental Public Health Act 1987 of Singapore (the “EPHA”), both of which and their respective subsidiary legislation are administered by the National Environmental Agency of Singapore (the “NEA”).
Under the EPMA, the importation of certain specified hazardous substances requires a license prior to doing so. The storage, use of and dealing with such hazardous substances must also be carried out in a manner that protects the health and safety of all persons as well as the environment. While our batteries do not contain any hazardous substances that are regulated under the licensing regime under the EPMA, we will continue to monitor for any manufacturing changes and battery developments in the future and will apply for such licensing as may be required.
Further, the disposal of obsolete and/or spent batteries and other constituent chemical waste products (collectively, “Battery Waste”) are regulated under the EPMA, the EPHA and the Resource Sustainability Act 2019 of Singapore (the “RSA”). Under the EPMA, we are not permitted to discharge or cause to be discharged Battery Waste and other polluting matters into any drain or land without the written permission of the NEA. In addition under the EPHA, we must store Battery Waste in a proper and efficient manner so as not to create a nuisance or to cause any risk, harm or injury to persons or is likely to pollute the environment, and must dispose of Battery Waste at authorized disposal facilities. The RSA also specifically provides that Battery Waste must be disposed via a waste collector or e-waste recycler that are each licensed under the EPHA.
Regulations on Workplace Safety and Health
The Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 of Singapore (the “WSHA”) and its subsidiary legislation regulates the safety, health and welfare of persons at work in workplaces. It applies to all workplaces in Singapore (save for certain exemptions), and generally requires employers, occupiers and other stakeholders to uphold certain safety, health and welfare standards.
Under the WSHA, we are obliged to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure the safety and health of our employees, contractors, and direct or indirect subcontractors at work, including but not limited to maintaining facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work, adequate safety measures for machinery and equipment, and ensuring that such persons are not exposed to hazards in the processing, storage, transport and/or disposal of things at the occupied premises. We are required to maintain safety and health
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management systems, as well as continual monitoring for compliance. Additionally, we are required to take reasonably practicable measures to ensure that any access and/or egress points to the premises occupied by us (such as storage facilities), and all machinery, equipment or substance kept at the premises, are safe and pose no risks to the health of all persons within those premises.
Regulations on Fire Safety
The Fire Safety Act 1993 of Singapore (the “FSA”) regulates the arrangements for fire safety, fire hazards and fire prevention in premises located in Singapore. Because some of our batteries contain lithium compounds and other flammable materials, we may be required under the FSA to obtain a license for the importation and/or transport of our batteries, as well as the storage of the batteries at storage facilities. Waste products generated from the Property that are deemed as flammable material must also be disposed in accordance with the storage license granted by the relevant authorities. We will apply for such license, if required, at a later time when such batteries are imported and/or transported in Singapore.
Australia
The Australian Federal Government established the CER by virtue of the Clean Energy Regulator Act 2011 and Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011. The CER is the regulatory authority responsible for the determination of rules in relation to carbon abatement, administration of the ERF and engaging in government purchasing of emissions reduction. The carbon abatement project is solely governed by the Australian Federal Government.
The ERF was established by virtue of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015. The CER administers the ERF by way of funding registered ACCUs. Registered proprietors of land and registered proponents are able to create value by exploiting existing land, reducing their carbon emissions or removing and storing carbon in vegetation and/or soil.
Eligible projects may earn one ACCU for every ton of emissions reduced, avoided, removed or stored.
The CER is the primary market for ACCU sales. Carbon credits can be sold to government contracts or via secondary market, which includes private speculation, private carbon commitments or to other proponents for their respective projects. There is currently no exchange for carbon credits to be traded. Australia is introducing the Australian Carbon Exchange (“ACE”) which will facilitate the purchase, sale and settlement of ACCUs. Whether the ACE will integrate with international markets is yet to be determined.
ACCUs are purchased and sold via the Australian National Registry of Emission Units (“ANREU”) with each unit being recorded on the registry. The ANREU is governed by the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Act 2011 and the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Regulations 2011.
The registry monitors credits owned, transferred for income, cancelled or relinquished. Each registered proponent under the CER is required to be registered with the ANREU. Upon a successful application to the CER, the credits will be issued to the registered proponents registry account and be available for trading.
Australia is a party to the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme, which allows for credits obtained via carbon abatement projects to be openly traded between companies in the private sector.
PNG
The current state of the laws and regulations regarding carbon credits and a carbon market in PNG is in a development phase and as such, lawmakers are having difficulties with forming the appropriate regulatory bodies and framework to ensure compliance with the Paris Agreement and its own constitution. The current regulation being Climate Change (Management) (Carbon Market) Regulation 2022 covers the rights to the carbon stored in PNG’s forests.
PNG currently has no compliant carbon market established. Given the developmental phase of the carbon market industry in PNG, there is a lack of legislation, policy framework and administrative agreements to participate domestically and internationally. PNG has created development authorization bodies to facilitate climate issues, inclusive of a carbon market. Currently, there is a moratorium on voluntary carbon contracts in PNG, due to further regulations being developed. Once the regulations are finalized, the voluntary carbon market will resume.
PNG is a party to the Indo-Pacific Carbon Offsets Scheme, which allows for credits obtained via carbon abatement projects to be openly traded between companies in the private sector.
Intellectual Property and Technology
All of our current intellectual properties and technologies are exclusively licensed in from our majority shareholder, 3DOM Alliance, pursuant to a license-in agreement dated November 22, 2022. See “— Relationship with 3DOM Alliance” for more details.
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These licensed-in intellectual property rights include five registered patent in Japan, the United States and South Korea. We also have 42 patents under application, five of which are under Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) application, with the remaining 37 patents under application in Japan, Singapore, European Patent Office, China, the United States, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. The licensed-in intellectual property rights also include four registered trademarks in Japan, two registered trademarks in Singapore, one trademark under application in Japan, one trademark under application in Singapore, and two trademarks under application in India. Our licensed intellectual property rights and technologies are mainly for battery cascade use, battery management system, battery cell and pack module, leasing with carbon credit, battery unit, degradation-based billing prediction, and degradation-based billing forecasting.
We protect our know-how, trade secrets and other confidential business information of any type by requiring our contractors, clients and others who develop intellectual property (including confidential information) in the course of their work for us.
Customers
We currently do not have any customers as we have yet to commercialize our leasing services and other services. Our business primarily targets commercial transportation companies as well as renewable power plants and other power plants requiring grid-stabilization and backup power, that have environmental concerns, sustainability goals, and zero-emission mission. Based on our estimates of the market conditions and our operation status, we expect to commence our leasing business in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Current clients of our carbon abatement solutions business are primarily landowners in Australia and PNG.
Competition
Battery and Energy Storage Industry
The battery and energy storage industry is highly competitive, and new regulatory requirements for vehicle emissions, technological advances, and shifting customer demands are causing the industry to evolve towards zero-emission solutions. We believe that the primary competitive factors in the market include, but are not limited to:
Similar to traditional OEMs in the passenger vehicle market, incumbent commercial transportation OEMs are burdened with legacy systems and the need to generate sufficient return on existing infrastructure, which has created a reluctance to embrace new zero-emission drivetrain technology. This reluctance creates opportunity for us and has allowed us to gain a significant head start against our competition. We believe the global push for lower emissions combined with vast technological improvements in fuel cell and battery-electric powertrain technologies have awakened well-established battery technology companies and vehicle manufacturers to begin investing in zero-emission transportation. We expect an accelerating transition from ICE vehicle to BEVs in the commercial transportation sector in the next three years.
Our key competitors are leading battery technology companies. Our batteries have various advantageous features, including heat resistance, higher energy density, high charge rates, high discharge rates, long lifespan and improved reliability, which are suited for different needs and operating conditions and we believe will increase our market shares. For more details, see “— Our Competitive Strengths” and “— Sales and Marketing.”
Carbon Abatement Solutions and Carbon Credit Market
In addition, we are also generating and providing carbon credits to companies who are under the pressure to decarbonize their business operations, such as logistics companies. See “— Carbon Abatement Solutions and Carbon Credit Sales” for more details.
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Partnerships
We are currently in negotiation to formalize several strategical partnerships, mainly with automakers and battery manufacturers, to seek for more mutually beneficial business opportunities.
B-ON
We entered into an LOI with B-ON, an electric light commercial vehicles and fleet electrification service provider headquartered in Japan, on November 18, 2022. We aim to collaborate on a wide array of battery and energy businesses, including the sales of vehicles, battery cells, commercial car lease with offsetting carbon credits, fleet management and telematics, and charging and energy management. Possible business cooperation models include (i) B-ON will supply us their 4-wheeled and 3-wheeled EVs and will explore technological possibilities to employ our battery cell for their products; and (ii) we will offer carbon credits to B-ON and B-ON will license us the fleet management solutions and software for charging and energy management. As of the date of this Report, we are developing partnering plans with B-ON to engage in leasing of 3-and 4-wheeler EVs in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
A Plastic Product Manufacturer
We entered into an MOU with a Taiwanese company which principally engages in the manufacture and sales of plastic products, electronic products and polyester products, and 3DOM Alliance on January 1, 2022. By signing this MOU, we aim to form various arrangements including, among others, (i) the plastic product manufacturer to supply us with its battery materials for the mass production of our batteries and separators; (ii) to collaborate with third parties for the supply and development of battery materials towards the manufacturing of battery cells; (ii) to jointly develop a battery cell incorporating both parties’ technologies; (iv) to develop and commercialize business models based upon the primary and secondary usage of batteries; and (v) to collaborate in mass production of 3DOM separator. The current MOU has been extended to December 31, 2023, unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement or by thirty (30) days’ prior written notice by either party to the other party.
An Energy Solution Company
We entered into an LOI with a well-known energy solution company headquartered in South Korea on September 15, 2022. By signing this LOI, we intend to engage with such company for the supply of its battery packs for our carbon neutral battery lease services. In addition, we also intend to source charging and swap stations from such company and/or engage it for the production of our battery cells and packs.
Assemble Point
We entered into an MOU with 3DOM Alliance and Assemblepoint Co. Ltd. (“Assemble Point”), a Japanese EV maker, on December 28, 2022. By signing this MOU, we aim to jointly develop electric mini buses and batteries for such electric mini buses, and jointly provide battery-related services and carbon-free leasing services in the Philippines. The MOU will expire on December 27, 2023 and can be renewed by written agreement, unless earlier terminated (i) by the non-defaulting party upon the violation of the MOU without timely correction or (ii) by either party in the event of the commencement of insolvency proceedings against the other party.
Kyushu Sanko Bus
We entered into an MOU with Kyushu Sanko Bus Co. Ltd., Sanko Bus Co. Ltd., and Kyushu Sanko Auto Service Co. Ltd. (collectively, “Kyushu Sanko Bus”), a bus operators in Japan, Freet Co. Ltd. and BINEX Inc. on December 20, 2022. By signing this MOU, we aim to provide carbon credits and leasing services along with carbon credits for the decarbonization of Kyushu Sanko buses operating in Kyushu region of Japan. We intend to conduct a proof of conduct on a fuel cell bus in 2025. The MOU will expire on December 19, 2023 and can be renewed by written agreement, unless earlier terminated (i) by the non-defaulting party upon the violation of the MOU without timely correction or (ii) by either party in the event of the commencement of insolvency proceedings against the other party.
Suppliers and Manufacturing
Our suppliers consist primarily of (i) raw battery material suppliers and (ii) OEMs that manufacture separators, battery cells and packs, and BEVs. We are in the process of establishing business relationships with several OEM automakers and vendors of battery materials. In addition to purchasing products from our suppliers, we plan to establish collaborative partnerships with them, particular those OEMs. We also plan to work closely with suppliers to jointly develop advanced battery materials to create battery cells.
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Sales and Marketing
Equipped with the licensed-in technology and deep understanding of the Southeast Asia and South Asia markets, we take an insight-driven, strategic approach to our go-to-market strategy. Sales activities will be generally carried out by our full-time employees in our business development department. We are also establishing strategic partnerships with various automakers to have our batteries incorporated into their vehicles in order to capture more attention in the market.
We customize different marketing strategies for different customer types or regions, based on factors that are peculiar to their specific requirements for batteries. For example, we develop and market batteries with high viscosity electrolyte, in order to supply batteries that are highly reliable and enduring in regions where high operating temperature is an issue. For applications requiring high torque batteries, such as drones and sports cars, we adopt the X-SEPA multi-layer separators to develop high C discharge rate batteries that will not deteriorate. For the ESS market, we strategically focus on developing long-life batteries that can last up to 6,000 cycles to reduce our clients’ costs. With respect to our business of carbon abatement solutions and carbon credit sales, we secure contracts with more landowners by offering a higher percentage share of the revenue generated from carbon credit sales. In addition, we also demonstrate expertise, industry knowledge, high standards of integrity and strong relationship with the regulators.
The head of our business development team works in close consultation with our chief product officer and chief strategy officer to develop effective strategies to market our products and services to potential customers and collaborative or joint venture partners. In particular, we place a high priority on our decarbonization life cycle assessment, which we believe will help us to win more market share of the BEV and ESS market globally in the long run. Our chief operation officer is also working with the business development team to ensure that marketing and communications efforts and programs undertaken are consistent and provide meaningful assistance.
We plan to have an effective after-sales service policy in place once we begin our battery leasing business. We plan to bear the maintenance and repair costs of our batteries and our leased BEVs and ESS. To avoid disruption to our clients’ operations caused by the defects of our batteries, a spare inventory is maintained in order to replace the malfunctioning BEVs or ESS quickly.
Research and Development
We do not operate or have any R&D department. Our success depends in part on the innovative and advanced technologies generated by 3DOM Alliance’s R&D department.
The primary areas of focus for 3 DOM Alliance’s R&D include, but are not limited to, X-SEPA multi-layer separators for high torque batteries, large lithium-ion battery prototypes, next-generation lithium metal anode, solid electrolyte rechargeable batteries, and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC). 3DOM Alliance undertakes significant testing and validation of the battery products before supplying to us in order to meet our internal quality control standards and the demands of our clients.
Environmental Matters
We recognize that large-scale global adoption of lithium-ion batteries will require cost-effective recycling processes. Accordingly, we focus on the use of the X-SEPA battery separator, which can double the lifespan of traditional batteries, so that our battery packs can have a “second life” as refurbished batteries or for use in stationary storage application.
In addition, our carbon abatement solutions business can help us reduce the carbon emission we generated in the process of our operations. We will use the carbon credit we earn during our carbon abatement projects to offset our own carbon emission. We believe our technologies, collaboration with waste recycling leaders, as well as our carbon abatement solutions business will help us contribute more to making a better environment.
Data Services and Protection
Data Services
Our own-and-lease business model provides an opportunity for us to accumulate a tremendous amount of raw data. We plan to build a data infrastructure by storing, managing and analyzing our data assets. This data infrastructure is expected to produce meaningful data on battery usage and behavior for the purpose of developing increasingly efficient batteries, as well as process data for intelligent and optimized transportation. We plan to utilize our smart battery infrastructure to provide data services along with our leasing services.
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Data Protection
We have established data access rights for each department and data file, and have appointed a management personnel to control such data access rights. While we have yet to establish a data protection policy, an information security committee have been set up to look into the following:
Upon consummation of the Business Combination, noco-noco Pte. Ltd., PNAC and New SubCo became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. The following diagram depicts a simplified organizational structure of the Company as of the date hereof. These subsidiaries are also set forth in Exhibit 8.1 to this Report.
Name |
|
Jurisdiction |
|
% of Ownership Interest Held by |
noco-noco Australia Pty Ltd. |
|
Australia |
|
52% |
* Other subsidiaries of the Company, including PNAC, have been omitted because, in the aggregate, they would not be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X as of the completion of the Business Combination.
Our registered office is at 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-9009, Cayman Islands, and our principal executive office is 4 Shenton Way, #04-06 SGX Centre II, Singapore 068807, with a total area of 2,432 square feet. The lease will expire on September 14, 2024.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties about our business and operations. Our actual results and the timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those we describe under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report.
Recent Developments
Recent events impacting our business are as follows:
Business Combination
We consummated the Business Combination on August 25, 2023. Our Ordinary Shares and Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq on August 28, 2023, under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW”, respectively.
Key Factors Affecting Our Business
As a pre-commercialization stage company, we believe that our performance and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose significant risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in the section titled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” in this Report.
Continued Development and Upgrade of Our Battery Products
We license in a series of state-of-the-art patents and know-how technologies from 3DOM Alliance, our majority shareholder, with respect to, among others, battery cascade use, battery management system, battery cell and pack model, and battery units. For
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details of our licensing-in arrangement with 3DOM Alliance, see the section entitled “Item 4. Business Overview — Relationship with 3DOM Alliance” in this Report. These licensed-in technologies enable us to produce batteries that we believe, as compared to conventional batteries, are designed to have a longer lifespan and higher reliability, and be more resistant to high operating temperature and thermal runaways. Therefore, our ability to produce state-of-the-art battery products and achieve profitability in our leasing services depends, in part, on the continued innovation of the technologies licensed-in from 3DOM Alliance.
Partnering with Industry-Leading Automakers and Manufacturers
We have entered into several MOUs with our strategic partners, including well-known automakers and battery manufacturers, for potential business collaborations and formation of strategic joint ventures. See the section entitled “Item 4. Business Overview — Partnerships” in this Report. We believe that our battery products will experience swift market adoption due to our strategic partnerships with these automakers and manufacturers. We plan to collaborate with other automakers and OEMs to expedite such adoption and increase market acceptance of our battery products over time.
Our ability to procure new contracts with landowners
The key factor driving the demand for carbon credits is the global push towards decarbonization, driven by governmental and supra national bodies, such as the United Nations. As more and more nations start to adopt or even accelerate the setting of standards for compliance towards zero carbon emissions, the demand for carbon credits is anticipated to surge. Carbon credit prices have been in an uptrend since 2007 and, aside from minor short-term fluctuations, are likely to continue the long-term uptrend. This will mean higher earnings from our carbon credit sales. Therefore, our ability to procure and sign new contracts with landowners to increase credits generations is highly dependent on our reputation and expertise in this industry. As such, our business is subject to adverse events which may cause damage, whether real or perceived, to our reputation. For more information, see the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business and Industry” in this Report.
Competition
The battery and BEV market is fast-growing, competitive and driven by the innovation of both large companies and emerging entrants like us. We acknowledge that the existing market players and other emerging entrants may have greater resources to invest in advancing their technologies, access to more potential customers, or strategic relationships with OEMs (or other third parties) that may give them a competitive edge. We further acknowledge that these disparities, where they exist, have the potential to harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Capital Needs
We have incurred net loss and negative cash flows from operations for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Assuming we experience no significant delays in the commercialization of our business, we believe that our cash resources are sufficient to fund our marketing activities and manufacturing of battery products through OEMs. For more information, see “— Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Government Regulatory and Compliance
There are government regulations pertaining to battery safety, transportation of batteries, use of batteries in vehicles, product liabilities and disposal of hazardous materials. We will ultimately have to comply with these regulations to lease our battery products. In addition, changes in national or global regulations may affect the demand for credits or our ability to generate credits. Hence, we are constantly keeping abreast of current or potential changes in regulations, and where possible, engage with the regulators in order to understand or anticipate potential headwinds that may affect our business. See the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business and Industryy” in this Report for the risks that may affect our business, and “— Government Regulations” for details of the regulations that are applicable to our business operations.
Basis of Presentation
Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP in U.S. dollars. For more information about our basis of presentation, refer to Note 3 to our accompanying audited financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposit with banks, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased.
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Deposit, Upfront Payment and Other Receivables
Security deposits paid for office lease are accounted for as deposits. Amounts paid in advance for future expenses are accounted for as prepaid expenses. Goods and service tax refunds are accounted for as other receivables. We expect that the result of adopting current expected credit loss model (“CECL”) is immaterial to other receivables.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related capitalized assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
|
|
Useful lives |
|
|
Office equipment |
|
|
5 years |
|
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities are liabilities for goods and services provided to us prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Deferred Tax Asset Allowance
Deferred tax assets are recognized for tax losses not yet used and temporary deductible differences. As those deferred tax assets can only be recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax credits can be utilized, management’s judgement is required to assess the probability of future taxable profits. Management’s assessment is constantly reviewed and additional deferred tax assets are recognized if it becomes probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
Share-based compensation transaction
The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based compensation transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the stock option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. The fair value of the ordinary shares was determined by obtaining quoted prices over-the-counter market based on the latest transacted price of the Company shares that were sold.
Leases
We have entered into operating lease agreements primarily for office. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For all classes of underlying assets, we elect not to recognize right of use assets or lease liabilities when a lease has a lease term of 12 months or less at the commencement date and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise.
Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in most of our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased asset is located. Operating lease assets also include any prepaid lease payments and lease incentives. Our lease terms include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We generally use the base, non-cancellable, lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Comparative Information
Certain items in prior years consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation to facilitate comparison.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2023 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. This guidance became effective for entities for the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2021 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
We do not expect any other recently issued accounting standards to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows when they become effective.
Components of Results of Operations
We are an early-stage growth company in the pre-commercialization stage of development. We have not generated any revenue from sales to customers, and our historical results may not be indicative of our future results for reasons that may be difficult to anticipate. Our ability in the future to generate revenue sufficient to achieve profitability will depend largely on the successful development of our battery products as well as the commercialization of our own-and-lease business model and our carbon abatement solution business. Accordingly, the drivers of our future financial results, as well as the components of such results, may not be comparable to our historical results of operations.
Operating expenses
Our operating expenses primarily consist selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of stock-based compensation, directors’ remuneration, payroll and related cost, expenses incurred for depreciation of office equipment, and costs incurred for outside contractor and professional service fees, audit and compliance expenses, legal, accounting and other advisory services. For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we incurred total operating expenses of $16.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
We are rapidly expanding our personnel headcount, in anticipation of planning for and supporting our growth and operating as a public company. Accordingly, we expect our selling, general and administrative expenses to increase significantly in the near term and for the foreseeable future. Upon commencement of commercial operations, we also expect to incur customer and sales support and advertising expenses.
Other income/(expense)
Other income/(expense) comprises of (i) other income, including a one-off sale of batteries to a business partner and COVID-19 government grant, (ii) other expense, including costs incurred from the one-off sale of batteries, and (iii) foreign exchange gain. For the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we generated total other income of $49,084 and $11,828, respectively.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our results of operations for the periods indicated.
|
|
For the Years Ended June 30, |
|
|||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
137,412 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
16,840,854 |
|
|
|
951,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
16,840,854 |
|
|
|
1,088,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(16,840,854 |
) |
|
|
(1,088,651 |
) |
Other income/(expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income |
|
|
36,439 |
|
|
|
11,792 |
|
Other expense |
|
|
(256 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Foreign exchange gain |
|
|
12,901 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income |
|
|
49,084 |
|
|
|
11,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(16,791,770 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,076,823 |
) |
Comparison of Years Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Operating expenses. Total operating expenses increased by 1,447% to $16.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2023 from $1.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to (i) an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $15.9 million, which was attributable to an increase in payroll and related cost associated with the hiring of new employees, and stock-based compensations for services relating to carbon credit expertise.
Other income/(expense). Total other income increased by 315% to $49,084 for the year ended June 30, 2023 from $11,828 for the year ended June 30, 2022. Such increase was primarily because (i) we received an increase in government working labor relief of $36,439, and (ii) exchanges gains of S$12,901.
Net loss. As a result of the foregoing, our net loss increased by 1,459% to $16.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2023 from $1.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2022.
Historically, our principal sources of liquidity have been financing transactions with investors and loans from our majority shareholder that have provided us with the necessary funds to support our business activities. As of June 30, 2023, we had raised approximately $1.5 million of funding through the issuance of ordinary shares. On August 1, 2020, we issued a promissory note with 3DOM Alliance (the “Note”). The Note provides for borrowings upon our request, on one or more occasions, up to an aggregate of principal amount of S$8.0 million ($5.8 million). No interest shall accrue to any loans under the Note. As of June 30, 2023, we had drawn down an aggregate amount of S$4.8 million ($3.6 million).
On November 22, 2022, we entered into an exclusive, irrevocable license-in agreement with 3DOM Alliance, pursuant to which we are obligated to pay a one-off, refundable upfront payment of $30 million licensing fee to 3DOM Alliance. In addition, we shall pay quarterly royalties equal to three percent (3%) of the gross profit generated using each of 3DOM IP Rights granted to us, including its proprietary and licensed-in patents and other intellectual property, as well as confidential yet critical know-how and other information. Such upfront payment shall be credited against any royalties under the agreement such that the amount of the upfront payment shall be deducted from the royalties when due and payable. In the event that the upfront payment has any remaining amount after the last deduction from the royalties at the end of a five-year period from the last instalment of the upfront payment, the remaining unutilized amount shall be refunded to us at our request. Pursuant to a supplemental agreement to the license-in agreement dated May 10, 2023 (the “Supplemental Agreement”), the upfront payment shall be payable over a series of instalments after the consummation of the Business Combination, in such amounts and pursuant to such repayment schedule as may be agreed between 3DOM Alliance and us. Both parties shall negotiate the installment plan in good faith, taking into consideration our working capital needs as well as our liquidity and available capital resources after the consummation of the Business Combination. As a result, we do not expect that the $30 million upfront payment will have a material impact on our liquidity and capital resources before or after the consummation of the Business Combination. As of the date of this Report, we had not paid any upfront payments to 3DOM Alliance yet. See “noco-noco’s Business — Relationship with 3DOM Alliance” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions — noco-noco and Pubco Relationships and Related Party Transactions — License-in Agreement.”
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On August 14, 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement with Arena Business Solutions Global SPC II, Ltd. (“Arena”) as amended from time to time, (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which, we have the right to sell to Arena up to $150,000,000 of our Ordinary Shares, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, from time to time during the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement. Sales of our Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely and exclusively at our option, and we are under no obligation to sell any securities to Arena under the Purchase Agreement.
As of June 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $17,789. Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily denominated in Singapore dollars as well as in local currencies of our Priority Markets. We have yet to generate any revenue from our business operations, and we have not achieved profitable operations or positive cash flows from our operations since inception. Our accumulated deficit aggregated $19.1 million as of June 30, 2023 and we expect to incur substantial losses in future periods. As an early-stage growth company in the pre-commercialization stage of development, the net loss we have incurred since inception are consistent with our strategy and budget.
We plan to finance our operations with a combination of proceeds from the Business Combination, capital from investors and shareholders, and if required in the future, loans from financial institutions, as well as anticipated future revenue from our service offerings. Our ability to successfully develop our products, commence commercial operations and expand our business will depend on many factors, including our working capital needs, the availability of equity and/or debt financing and, over time, our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations.
Due to the capital-intensive nature of our business, we expect to sustain substantial operating expenses, without generating sufficient revenues, to cover expenditures for a number of years. Over time, we expect that we will need to raise additional funds through a variety of possible methods, including, but not limited to, entry into joint ventures or other strategic arrangements, the issuance of equity, equity-related or debt securities or through obtaining credit from financial institutions. These funds are expected to finance our principal sources of liquidity and ongoing operating expenses. If we were to require additional funding or otherwise determined it was beneficial to seek additional sources of financing or enter into other arrangements as described above, we believe that our debt-free balance sheet would enable us to access financing on reasonable terms. However, there can be no assurance that such additional capital would be available on attractive terms, if at all, when needed, which could be dilutive to stockholders. We may be forced to decrease our level of investment in product development or scale back our operations. Furthermore, the cost of debt could be higher than anticipated. There can also be no assurance that positive cash flow from operations can be achieved or sustained. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business and Industry — We may need to raise additional funds and these funds may not be available to us when we need them. If we cannot raise additional funds when we need them, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be negatively affected.”
There is no assurance that the plans will be successfully implemented. If the we fail to achieve these goals, we may need additional financing to repay debt obligations and execute our business plan, and we may not be able to obtain the necessary additional capital on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. In the event that financing sources are not available, or that we are unsuccessful in increasing our gross profit margin and reducing operating losses, we may be unable to implement our current plans for expansion, repay debt obligations or respond to competitive pressures, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and may materially adversely affect our ability to continue as a going concern. See “Item 3. Key Information--D. Risk Factors--Risks Related to Our Business and Industry--The consolidated financial statements accompanying this Report contain disclosures related to our ability to continue as a going concern.”
Our financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Our financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, our ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support our working capital requirements.
Working Capital/(Deficit)
|
|
As of June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Changes |
|
% |
|
||||
Current assets |
|
$ |
455,943 |
|
|
$ |
183,889 |
|
|
$ |
272,054 |
|
|
148 |
% |
Current liabilities |
|
|
760,391 |
|
|
|
49,612 |
|
|
|
710,779 |
|
|
1433 |
% |
Working capital deficit |
|
$ |
(304,448 |
) |
|
$ |
134,277 |
|
|
$ |
(438,725 |
) |
|
(327) |
% |
Our cash and cash equivalents amounted $17,789 and $81,626 as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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As of June 30, 2023, we had total liabilities of $4.4 million, consisting of accruals and other payable of $587,346, amount due to shareholders of $3.6 million and current portion of operating lease liabilities of $173,045 and non-current portion of operating lease liabilities of $36,699.
As of June 30, 2022, we had total liabilities of $1.0 million, which included accruals and other payable of $13,227, amount due to shareholders $1.0 million and current portion operating lease liabilities of $36,385.
As of June 30, 2023, we had a working capital deficiency of $304,448 compared with a working capital surplus of $134,276 as of June 30, 2022.
The increase in the working capital deficiency was due to (i) an increase in accruals and other payables of $574,199, (ii) an increase in current portion of operating lease liabilities of $136,660, partially offset by (iii) an increase in due from promissory note of $333,594.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flow data for the year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Changes |
|
|
% |
|
||||
Cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(2,982,778 |
) |
|
$ |
(805,177 |
) |
|
|
(2,177,601 |
) |
|
|
270 |
% |
Cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(5,735 |
) |
|
|
(3,888 |
) |
|
|
(1,847 |
) |
|
|
48 |
% |
Cash generated from financing activities |
|
|
3,388,587 |
|
|
|
873,066 |
|
|
|
2,515,521 |
|
|
|
288 |
% |
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
400,074 |
|
|
|
64,001 |
|
|
|
336,073 |
|
|
|
525 |
% |
Cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2023 was $3.0 million, while our net loss for the same year was $16.8 million. The difference was primarily due to (i) adjustments for non-cash items including depreciation expense of $4,855, stock-based compensation of $13,568,137, loss on disposal of property and equipment of $256 and changes in working capital including (ii) an increase in due from promissory note of $333,594, (iii) an increase in deposits and prepayments of $2,805, and (iv) a decrease in operating lease liabilities of $1,976, partially offset by (v) an increase in accruals and other payables of $574,119.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended June 30, 2022 was $0.8 million, while our net loss for the same year was $1.1 million. The difference was primarily due to (i) adjustments for non-cash items including depreciation expense of $3,447, and changes in working capital including (ii) a decrease in inventory of $163,259, (iii) an increase in accruals and other payables of $121,253, and (iv) an increase in operating lease liabilities of $2,565, partially offset by (v) an increase in deposit, upfront payments and other receivables of $18,878.
Cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2023 was $5,735, primarily comprising of purchase of computers. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2022 was $3,888, primarily comprising of purchase of computers.
Cash generated from financing activities
Net cash generated from financing activities primarily consisted of advances from 3DOM Alliance, amounting to $3.4 million and $0.9 million for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures amounted to $8,888 for the year ended June 30, 2023. These capital expenditures primarily related to the purchase of computers. We expect to continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth in scale of our business and expect that cash generated from our cash and cash equivalents following the Business Combination and cash from operating activities and financing activities may be used to meet our capital expenditure needs in the foreseeable future.
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
As of June 30, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, revenue, or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that are material to investors.
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Emerging Growth Company Status
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with those standards. The JOBS Act also exempts us from having to provide an auditor attestation of internal control over financial reporting under Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404(b).
Holding Company Structure
noco-noco Inc. is an exempted company with limited liability incorporated in the Cayman Islands on December 28, 2022 with no material operations of its own. We currently conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends primarily depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our existing subsidiaries or any newly formed ones incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.
We do not operate or have any R&D department. Our success depends in part on the innovative and advanced technologies generated by 3DOM Alliance’s R&D department.
The primary areas of focus for 3 DOM Alliance’s R&D include, but are not limited to, X-SEPA multi-layer separators for high torque batteries, large lithium-ion battery prototypes, next-generation lithium metal anode, solid electrolyte rechargeable batteries, and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC). 3DOM Alliance undertakes significant testing and validation of the battery products before supplying to us in order to meet our internal quality control standards and the demands of our clients.
All of our current intellectual properties and technologies are exclusively licensed in from our majority shareholder, 3DOM Alliance, pursuant to a license-in agreement dated November 22, 2022. See “— Relationship with 3DOM Alliance” for more details.
These licensed-in intellectual property rights include five registered patent in Japan, the United States and South Korea. We also have 42 patents under application, five of which are under Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) application, with the remaining 37 patents under application in Japan, Singapore, European Patent Office, China, the United States, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan. The licensed-in intellectual property rights also include four registered trademarks in Japan, two registered trademarks in Singapore, one trademark under application in Japan, one trademark under application in Singapore, and two trademarks under application in India. Our licensed intellectual property rights and technologies are mainly for battery cascade use, battery management system, battery cell and pack module, leasing with carbon credit, battery unit, degradation-based billing prediction, and degradation-based billing forecasting.
We protect our know-how, trade secrets and other confidential business information of any type by requiring our contractors, clients and others who develop intellectual property (including confidential information) in the course of their work for us.
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual Report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 that are reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on our net revenues, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future results of operations or financial conditions.
For our critical accounting estimates, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
The following table sets forth certain information relating to our executive officers and directors as of the date of this Report. Our board of directors is comprised of six directors.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Mr. Masataka Matsumura |
|
43 |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Ms. Mari Matsushita |
|
47 |
|
Chief Product Officer and Director |
Mr. Yuta Akakuma |
|
38 |
|
Head of Business Development and Director |
Mr. Ng Wee Kiat (Darren) |
|
48 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
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Mr. Tatsuo Mori |
|
58 |
|
Head of Product Management |
Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo |
|
71 |
|
Independent Director |
Mr. Heizo Takenaka |
|
72 |
|
Independent Director |
Mr. Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier |
|
52 |
|
Independent Director |
Masataka Matsumura has served as a Director on our board of directors as well as our Chief Executive Officer since August 25, 2023. He has served as noco-noco’s chief executive officer, since November 2022, and a director, since October 2022. Mr. Matsumura currently also serves as the representative director and the chief executive officer of 3DOM Alliance since September 2018 where he has served as a director since November 2016. He is also a director of Tesnology Inc. since April 2020 and was a director of BINEX Inc. from May 2021 to January 2023. In addition, he is also serving as the representative director on the board of Quintuple Air Inc., Social Mobility, Inc. and FOREST PINE DESIGN LAB Inc., since November 2019, December 2018 and November 2012, respectively, and has been serving as a non-executive director of Ellebeau Inc. since June 2014. From December 2013 to February 2019, Mr. Matsumura served as a director of Future Science Research Inc., which is one of the principal shareholders of noco-noco. Prior to Future Science Research Inc., he was the creative director of Fujiwara Design Studio S.R.L., and also the representative director and the president of Steadfast Inc. from April 2005 to June 2012. Mr. Matsumura received his bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design and marketing from American InterContinental University London.
Mari Matsushita has served as a Director on our board of directors since August 25, 2023. She has also been serving as the chief product officer of noco-noco since October 2022 and the general manager of the platform development team of 3DOM Alliance since April 2021. Prior to joining us, Ms. Matsushita previously worked as a product manager at Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation from March 2017 to February 2021 and at Tsuburaya Fields Holdings Inc. from October 2012 to March 2017. From January 2004 to September 2012, Ms. Matsushita was a senior web producer at IMJ Corporation, responsible for digital marketing with data analytics and web integration. She worked at DeeCorp Limited as a market researcher from August 2003 to December 2003. Prior to DeeCorp, Ms. Matsushita worked as a sales and marketing manager at JEPICO Corporation from April 1998 to July 2003. Ms. Matsushita received her bachelor of arts in international legal study from Sophia University in Japan in 1998.
Yuta Akakuma has served as a Director on our board of directors since August 25, 2023. Mr. Akakuma has been the head of business development of noco-noco since November 2022, where he was previously working as a business development manager from May 2022 to October 2022. In addition, Mr. Akakuma has been serving as the managing director and the chief executive officer of 3DOM (Asia) Co., Ltd., a fellow subsidiary of noco-noco, since November 2022. Prior to this, he worked as the general manager of sales and marketing department and joint venture department at Summit Auto Seats Industry from April 2019 to April 2022, during which he also served as director for several subsidiaries of Summit Auto Seats Industry. He also worked at Darwin Summit Corporation Company Limited, as general manager from April 2019 to April 2022, and simultaneously served as the deputy chief executive officer at Faurecia and Summit Interior Systems Thailand Co., Ltd., the chief executive officer at Summit Hirotani Sugihara Co., Ltd. and a director at Summit & Autoneum (Thailand) Co., Ltd., from June 2020 to April 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Akakuma was the deputy managing director at Soltec Thai Co., Ltd from May 2018 to April 2019. Mr. Akakuma founded Sakura Kaigo (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and served as its managing director from November 2013 to April 2018. Before that, he founded Imm & Co., Ltd. and served as managing director from May 2010 to April 2018. Prior to the founding of his own companies, he worked as the Thailand representative office manager at Agilis Inc. from October 2008 to May 2010. Mr. Akakuma received his bachelor of arts degree in environmental and information studies from Keio University in Japan in 2008.
Ng Wee Kiat (Darren) has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 14, 2023. He has over two decades of leadership experiences in leading banks, fintech companies and private equity firms in Asia, responsible for financial planning and analysis, financial controlling, business transformation, strategy, operations, sales incentive management & analytics and business management. He was recognized amongst the Top 50 CFOs in Southeast Asia in 2022. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Ng served as the chief financial officer and remains an independent non-executive director in TAKI NETWORK PTE. LTD., a global Web3 fintech company, since March 2022. Prior to that, he worked as the chief performance officer at Clermont Group, an international private equity group, from September 2020 to February 2022. He served as a director and a key member of the regional business development team under the chief operating officer office at SEA (NYSE: SE) from February 2020 to July 2020. He held the positions as the group chief financial officer of OCBC Bank, responsible for the consumer banking and wealth management division, from March 2016 to January 2020; the country head of business finance at HSBC Singapore from October 2009 to February 2016; the head of performance management for consumer, private and business banking (Singapore and Southeast Asia) at Standard Chartered Bank from April 2007 to September 2009; and a vice president of business finance managing the performance of the consumer banking operations across Asia at DBS Bank from August 2004 to April 2007. He also worked as a senior financial analyst in the Ministry of Defence of Singapore from August 2000 to August 2004, after serving as a management executive at PSA International Pte Ltd from July 1999 to August 2000. Mr. Ng received a bachelor of accountancy degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in 1999.
Tatsuo Mori has served as noco-noco’s head of product management since August 25, 2023. Mr. Mori has been serving as the manager of the Skinkoyasu office and the product division manager of 3DOM Alliance since March 2021. He has 30 years’ experience in the battery business. Mr. Mori previously worked at Panasonic Holdings Corporation (“Panasonic”) for more than 28 years from September 1990 to July 2020, serving as product development engineer and plant manager, responsible for overseeing the
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manufacturing floor and management of the battery manufacturing plant, and then as the president of several Panasonic’s subsidiaries. Prior to Panasonic, he worked at Nichicon Corporation as product development engineer from April 1987 to August 1990. Mr. Mori obtained his bachelor of science in engineering from Chuo University Faculty of Science and Engineering in Japan in 1987.
Timothy Lai Wah Teo has served as an Independent Director on our board of directors since August 25, 2023. He has served as an independent director of noco-noco since August 2021 and is currently serving as a director on the board of Dr Andrew Ng Global Missions Fund, School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA) and the JurongHealth Fund (JHF). He is also currently an independent director of Pilgrim Partners (Asia) Pte. Ltd. since February 2010 and a director of Sparrow Asset Management Pte. Ltd. since August 2008. From November 2008 to October 2021, Mr. Teo served as an independent non-executive director and the chairman of the audit and risk management committee of the Singapore Exchange listed GuocoLand Limited. From April 1998 to March 2007, Mr. Teo was the director of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, in charge of foreign exchange, money market, gold and commodities management. Prior to this, he served as a director of Nuri Holdings Singapore from October 1994 to April 1998. Mr. Teo also worked at JP Morgan for 20 years in various overseas locations at senior management level in global markets department from May 1975 to June 1993. Mr. Teo completed his master of business administrative at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia in July 1996.
Heizo Takenaka has served as an Independent Director on our board of directors since August 25, 2023. He has served as an independent director of 3DOM Alliance since June 2022. Mr. Takenaka is currently a professor emeritus at Keio University in Japan where he started as an associate professor in April 1990. He is concurrently serving as a visiting associate professor at Harvard University since January 1989 where he started as a visiting scholar in January 1981. In addition, he is also holding positions including research advisor to the Japan Center for Economic Research since December 2010 where he started as a special advisor in December 2006, chairman of the board of academyhills since December 2006, independent director of SBI Holdings, Inc. since June 2016, and member of the board of trustees of the World Economic Forum since June 2007. He was elected to the House of Councilors in July 2004, then resigned from the House of Councilors in September 2006. In April 2001, he was appointed Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy in the Koizumi Cabinet, followed by appointments as Minister of State for Financial Services in September 2002, Minister of State for Privatization of Postal Services in September 2004, and Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from October 2005 to September 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Takenaka worked at the Japan Development Bank since March 1973 to January 1981. He received a bachelor of arts in economics from Hitotsubashi University in Japan in April 1973 and a Ph.D. in economics from Osaka University in April 1994.
Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier has served as an Independent Director on our board of directors since August 25, 2023. Mr. Minier is currently serving as the Asia Pacific regional director of Audere International since April 2022, the joint representative director and co-chief executive officer of Les Rois Mages Japan Co., Ltd. since November 2021, an independent director of DKK Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. since June 2021, an independent auditor of Amuseum Parks Co., Ltd. since April 2020, a trustee of Ueno Gakuen Educational Foundation and a representative director of ABC Properties Co., Ltd. since March 2017. He previously worked as a managing director and then a senior advisor at Kroll, LLC from April 2020 to March 2022, a corporate project director at Rusal from November 2016 to March 2020, a non-executive director and the head of corporate development in Northeast Asia of First Names Group from November 2016 to October 2017. Mr. Minier had also served as the managing director and Asia head of fund services at Moore Group Limited from November 2013 to October 2016, an advisor to the chairman for international relations at Kyoto Prefectural Union of Agricultural Cooperatives from April 2013 to August 2016, an advisor to the chief executive officer (Japan and Korea) at Buhler Group from November 2013 to December 2015. Prior to that, he worked as an Asia-Pacific advisor at Avisa Partners from September 2009 to October 2013, the chief executive officer of Asia Pacific region and Tokyo branch manager at Dresdner Kleinwort from August 2006 to September 2009, managing director, Tokyo branch manager and head of capital markets in Asia Pacific at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein from August 2001 to July 2006, managing director of global equities at Dresdner Kleinwort Benson from March 1998 to July 2001, head of OTC equity derivatives trading at Natwest Securities from February 1997 to February 1998. Mr. Minier also worked as a vice president and an equity derivatives trader at Morgan Stanley Japan from April 1995 to January 1997, an equity derivatives trader and structurer at Bankers Trust from December 1993 to March 1995, and an equity derivatives trader at Indosuez W.I. Carr from September 1992 to November 1993. Mr. Minier received his master of science in financial mathematics from Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, France in 1992 and completed the Allianz SE executive leadership program at IMD Business School in Shanghai, China in November 2003.
For the year ended June 30, 2023, noco-noco paid an aggregate of approximately S$0.2 million in cash compensation and benefits in kind to noco-noco’s executive officers as a group. In Singapore, noco-noco is required by the applicable laws and regulations to make contributions, as employers, to the Central Provident Fund for executive officers who are employed by noco-noco as prescribed under the Central Provident Fund Act. The contribution rates vary, depending on the age of the executive officers, and whether such executive officer is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident (contributions are not required or permitted in respect of a foreigner on a work pass). Save as aforesaid, noco-noco’s executive officers do not receive pension, retirement or other similar benefits, and noco-noco has not set aside or accrued any amount to provide cash benefits to its executive officers. noco-noco paid an aggregate of S$45,000 in cash compensation to its independent directors for the year ended June 30, 2023. noco-noco is not a party to any agreements with its executive officers and directors that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.
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Share Incentive Plan
2023 Share Incentive Plan
In February 2023, our board of directors adopted, and in August 2023, our shareholders approved, the noco-noco Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “PubCo Incentive Plan”). As of the date of this Report, under the PubCo 2023 Plan, dividend equivalents, options, restricted shares, restricted share units, share appreciation rights or other rights or benefits to purchase 6,621,822 PubCo Ordinary Shares were outstanding.
The following summarizes the material terms of the PubCo Incentive Plan:
Shares Subject to the PubCo Incentive Plan. Under the terms of the Shareholders’ Agreement, the maximum number of PubCo Ordinary Shares that may be issued under the PubCo Incentive Plan from time to time is five percent (5%) of the fully diluted share capital of PubCo as of the date of determination. The maximum aggregate number of PubCo Ordinary Shares which may be subject to awards under the PubCo Incentive Plan initially shall be an aggregate number equal to 6,961,159 (assuming no redemptions of PNAC public shares). The aggregate number of PubCo Ordinary Shares reserved for awards under the PubCo Incentive Plan will automatically increase on July 1 of each year, for a period of not more than ten (10) years, commencing on July 1 of the year following the year in which the effective date occurs and ending on (and including) July 1, 2033, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of PubCo Ordinary Shares outstanding on June 30 of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our board may act prior to July 1 of a given year to provide that there will be no July 1 increase for such year or that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of PubCo Ordinary Shares than provided in the PubCo Incentive Plan.
Plan Administration. Our board of directors itself or any committee delegated by our board of directors will administer the PubCo Incentive Plan. The administrator, among other things, determines the participants to receive awards, when and how awards will be granted, the type of award to be granted, the number of awards to be granted, and the other terms and conditions of each award.
Capitalization Adjustment. In the event that the number of outstanding PubCo Ordinary Shares is changed by a share dividend, recapitalization, share split, reverse share split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or other change in our capital structure affecting PubCo Ordinary Shares without consideration, then in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the PubCo Incentive Plan: (a) the number of PubCo Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, (b) the applicable price per PubCo Ordinary Share and number of PubCo Ordinary Shares subject to outstanding awards will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the our board of directors or our shareholders and compliance with applicable law; provided, however, that fractions of a PubCo Ordinary Share will not be issued but will either be paid in cash at the fair market value of such fraction of a PubCo Ordinary Share or will be rounded down to the nearest whole PubCo Ordinary Share, as determined by the administrator.
Types of Awards. The PubCo Incentive Plan permits the grants of dividend equivalents, options, restricted shares, restricted share units, and share appreciation rights.
Eligibility. Our employees, directors and consultants or any of our subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to participate in the PubCo Incentive Plan, except that pursuant to any applicable laws, grants to non-employees are prohibited.
Award Agreements. Awards granted under the PubCo Incentive Plan are evidenced by award agreements confirming the grant of awards.
Conditions of Awards. The administrator determines the provisions, terms and conditions of each dividend equivalent, option, restricted share, restricted share unit, and share appreciation right granted under the PubCo 2023 Plan, including but not limited to the term, timing of grant, and the vesting schedule of the awards.
Transferability. The awards and all rights thereunder are exercisable only by the participants and are not assignable or transferable, unless otherwise permitted in the award agreement.
Termination of Employment. Except as may otherwise be provided by the administrator in an award agreement, a grantee’s rights in all dividend equivalent rights shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with us and our subsidiaries for any reason.
Term; Amendment. Unless suspended or terminated earlier, the PubCo Incentive Plan has a term of ten years from the date it was adopted by our board of directors (or, if earlier, the date it was approved by our shareholders). Our board of directors has the authority to, at any time; (i) terminate or amend the PubCo Incentive Plan in any respect, including without limitation amendment of any form of award agreement or other instrument to be executed pursuant to PubCo Incentive Plan, provided that any amendment or termination that has a material and adverse effect on the rights of grantees shall require their consents; and, (ii) terminate any and all outstanding options or share appreciation rights upon a winding up or liquidation of our company, followed by the payment of creditors and the distribution of any remaining funds to the our shareholders.
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Board of Directors
Our board of directors currently consists of six directors, three of which are independent. As a controlled company and foreign private issuer, we have elected to not have a majority of our board consist of independent directors. The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that the minimum number of directors shall be three, which may be increased or reduced by ordinary resolution, and the maximum number of directors shall be unlimited unless fixed by ordinary resolution. Except as provided in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, a director may vote in respect of any contract or transaction in which he/she is interested provided that the nature and extent of the interest of any director in any such contract or transaction is disclosed at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon, and such director may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of directors at which any such contract or transaction is considered. A director who is interested in a contract or proposed contract with us must declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the directors or otherwise be made in writing. None of our non-employee director has a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Board Diversity Matrix
The table below provides certain information regarding the diversity of our board of directors as of the date of this Report, pursuant to Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule.
Board Diversity Matrix
Country of Principal Executive Office |
|
Singapore |
Foreign Private Issuer |
|
Yes |
Disclosure Prohibited under Home Country Law |
|
No |
Total Number of Directors |
|
6 |
|
|
Female |
|
|
Male |
|
|
Non-Binary |
|
|
Did Not |
|
||||
Part I: Gender Identity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Part II: Demographic Background |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LGBTQ+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duties of Directors
Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our directors owe certain fiduciary duties to us, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly, and a duty to act in good faith in what they consider to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skills they actually possess and such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association as may be amended from time to time. Our company has a right to seek damages against any director who breaches a duty owed to us.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
Appointment and Removal of Directors
The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association does not limit the maximum number of directors, though this number may be fixed by ordinary resolution.
The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides that first directors shall be appointed in writing by the subscriber or subscribers to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, or a majority of them, and thereafter, the directors may be appointed and removed by our shareholders by ordinary resolution or by the directors.
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The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provides for certain circumstances whereby a director’s office shall be terminated forthwith. Our directors have a fixed term expiring at the next-following general meeting of PubCo unless re-appointed or removed pursuant to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, and there is no requirement for them to retire by rotation nor to make themselves eligible for re-election. Each director shall remain in office until the end of his/her term or if he or she is removed by ordinary resolution and the office of a director shall be vacated automatically if the director, among other things, (i) he or she is prohibited by the law of the Cayman Islands from acting as a director; (ii) he or she is made bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his/her creditors generally; (iii) he or she resigns his/her office by notice to us; (iv) he or she only held office as a director of our Company for a fixed term and such term expires; (v) in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner by whom he/she is being treated he/she becomes physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director; (vi) he/she is made subject to any law relating to mental health or incompetence, whether by court order or otherwise; (vii) without the consent of the other directors, he/she is absent from meetings of directors for a continuous period of six months; or (vii) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors have established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate committee. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee
The audit committee consists of Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo, Mr. Heizo Takenaka and Mr. Jean- Francois Raymond Roger Minier. Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo is the chairperson of the audit committee and he satisfies the criteria of an audit committee financial expert as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC. Each of Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo, Mr. Heizo Takenaka and Mr. Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier satisfies the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules and the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee consists of Mr. Heizo Takenaka, Mr. Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier and Mr. Masataka Matsumura. Mr. Heizo Takenaka is the chairperson of the compensation committee. Each of Mr. Heizo Takenaka and Mr. Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier satisfies the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing
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rules. As a controlled company and foreign private issuer, we have elected to not have our compensation committee consist of entirely independent directors.
The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Mr. Heizo Takenaka, Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo and Mr. Masataka Matsumura. Each of Mr. Heizo Takenaka and Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo satisfies the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules. Mr. Heizo Takenaka is chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee. As a controlled company and foreign private issuer, we have elected to not have our nominating and corporate governance committee consist of entirely independent directors.
The nominating and corporate governance committee assists our board of directors in evaluating nominees to our board of directors and its committees. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We seek to conduct business ethically, honestly, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets out the principles designed to guide our business practices with integrity, respect and dedication. The code applies to all directors, officers, employees and extended workforce, including our directors and executive officers. We expect our suppliers, contractors, consultants, and other business partners to follow the principles set forth in its code when providing goods and services to us or acting on our behalf.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of our executive officers. The employment of the executive officers under these employment agreements is for an indefinite period, but may be terminated by us for cause at any time without advance notice or for any other reason by giving prior written notice or by paying certain compensation, and the executive officer may terminate his or her employment at any time by giving us prior written notice. The employment agreements with the executive officers also include confidentiality and non-disclosure restrictions and non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions that apply during employment and for certain periods following termination of employment.
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We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors. Under these agreements, we may agree to indemnify our director against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being a director of us.
As of June 30, 2023, we had 12 employees based primarily in Singapore, all of which were full-time employees. A majority of our employees are engaged in business development, operations, finance, and administration. None of our employees is either represented by a labor union or subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We enter into non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements or service agreement or employment agreement that contains non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality clauses with our employees.
Please see “Item. 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” below.
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares as of the date hereof by:
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if that person possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities that person has a right to acquire within 60 days including, without limitation, through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. Such securities, however, are deemed to be outstanding only for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficial ownership of that person but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficial ownership of any other person. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities.
As of the date of this Report, there are 135,430,452 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of voting shares beneficially owned by them.
|
|
Ordinary Shares Beneficially |
|
|||||
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Ordinary Shares |
|
|
% of Total Ordinary |
|
||
Directors and Executive Officers(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Masataka Matsumura(2) |
|
|
55,427,248 |
|
|
|
40.9 |
|
Mari Matsushita |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Yuta Akakuma |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Ng Wee Kiat (Darren) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tatsuo Mori |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Timothy Lai Wah Teo |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Heizo Takenaka |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Jean-Francois Raymond Roger Minier |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (eight individuals) |
|
|
55,427,248 |
|
|
|
40.9 |
|
5.0% Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3DOM Alliance(3) |
|
|
90,918,596 |
|
|
|
67.1 |
|
Future Science Research(4) |
|
|
9,331,520 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
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We have experienced significant changes in the percentage ownership held by major shareholders as a result of the Business Combination. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the sole shareholder of our Company is Dongfeng Wang, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PNAC.
Promissory Note
On August 1, 2020, noco-noco issued a promissory note to 3DOM Alliance (the “Note”). The Note provides for borrowings upon the request of noco-noco, on one or more occasions, up to the principal amount of S$1.0 million ($0.7 million). The principal amount was extended to S$3.0 million ($2.2 million) on January 23, 2023, and further extended to S$8.0 million ($5.8 million) on February 6, 2023. No interest shall accrue to any loans under the Note. There are no payment schedules under the Note; however, the Note must be repaid upon 3DOM Alliance’s request or certain events of default. As of June 30, 2023, we had drawn down an aggregate amount of S$4.8 million ($3.6 million).
Issuance of Shares pursuant to Debt-to-Equity Swaps
On October 22, 2021, noco-noco allotted and issued 15,478 new ordinary shares in its capital, at $100 per share, to 3DOM Alliance, pursuant to a debt-to-equity swap which both parties agreed to convert noco-noco’s debt of $1.5 million owed to 3DOM Alliance into new ordinary shares in the capital of noco-noco.
On July 15, 2022, noco-noco allotted and issued another 759 new ordinary shares in its capital, at the issue price of $1,041.22, to 3DOM Alliance, pursuant to another debt-to-equity swap which both parties agreed to convert noco-noco’s debt of $0.8 million owed to 3DOM Alliance into new ordinary shares in the capital of noco-noco.
2021 License-in Agreement
On August 18, 2021, noco-noco entered into an exclusive, irrevocable license-in agreement (the “2021 license-in agreement”) with 3DOM Alliance. Pursuant to the agreement, 3DOM Alliance granted a license to certain of its proprietary patents, trademarks and other intellectual properties to noco-noco, in return for royalties of the sum equal to 1.5% of noco-noco’s revenue. The 2021 license-in agreement was amended once on August 29, 2022 and was terminated on November 22, 2022.
License-in Agreement
On November 22, 2022, noco-noco entered into a new exclusive, irrevocable license-in agreement with 3DOM Alliance. Pursuant to such agreement, 3DOM Alliance granted noco-noco the exclusive rights to utilize certain of its proprietary and licensed-in patents and other intellectual property, as well as confidential yet critical know-how and other information for a perpetual term, in return for quarterly royalties equal to three percent (3%) of the gross profit generated using each of 3DOM IP Rights. In addition, noco-noco is obligated to pay a one-off, refundable upfront payment of $30 million licensing fee to 3DOM Alliance. Such upfront payment shall be credited against any royalties under the agreement such that the amount of the upfront payment shall be deducted from the royalties when due and payable. In the event that the upfront payment has any remaining amount after the last deduction from the royalties at the end of a five-year period from the last instalment of the upfront payment, the remaining unutilized amount shall be refunded to us at our request. Pursuant to a supplemental agreement to the license-in agreement dated May 10, 2023 (the “Supplemental Agreement”), the upfront payment shall be payable over a series of instalments after the consummation of the Business Combination, in such amounts and manner, and pursuant to such repayment schedule as may be agreed between 3DOM Alliance and us. Both parties shall negotiate the instalment plan in good faith, taking into consideration our working capital needs as well as our liquidity and available capital resources after the consummation of the Business Combination. As of the date of this Report, we had not paid any upfront payments to 3DOM Alliance yet. See “Business — Relationship with 3DOM Alliance” for more details.
Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements
See the section headed “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — C. Board Practices — Employment Agreements and Indemnification Agreements.”
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Lock-up Agreements
Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, PNAC, PubCo, PNAC Initial Insiders (as defined in the Lock-up Agreement), and certain of the shareholders of noco-noco entered into a lock-up agreement (the “Lock-up Agreement”), pursuant to which the Initial Insiders and certain shareholders of noco-noco agreed not to sell, assign, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any of the Lock-up Shares (as defined in the Lock-up Agreement); (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of the Lock-up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Lock-up Shares, in cash or otherwise; (c) make public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b) above; or (d) engage in any short sales (as defined in the Lock-up Agreement) with respect to any security of PubCo, for a period of six months following the Share Exchange Closing Date with respect to PNAC Founder Shares and PubCo Ordinary Shares that certain shareholders of noco-noco will receive in connection with the Share Exchange, and for a period of 30 days following the Share Exchange Closing Date with respect to PNAC Private Shares and Working Capital Loan Shares, if any. Such lock-up period may end earlier if certain conditions occur as provided in the Lock-up Agreement. The lock-up restrictions imposed on 3DOM and Future Science Research Inc. (“FSR”, together with 3DOM, the “Holders”) were waived by us on and effective from September 29, 2023, as the Holders desire to pledge all or a portion of their Lock-up Shares for the purpose of obtaining financing by third party lender(s) (the “Financing”), the proceeds of which will be used in accordance with the requirements set out in the definitive documents for the Financing.
Registration Rights Agreement
PubCo and certain holders of PubCo Ordinary Shares entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, effective upon the Closing pursuant to which, among other things, PubCo agreed to undertake certain resale registration obligations in accordance with the Securities Act and the holders have been granted certain demand and piggyback registration rights.
As provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, PubCo must upon the demand of the registration rights holders, use reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective as soon as practicable thereafter, a registration statement for a registration on Form F-1 (“Form F-1”) covering the resale of all registrable securities held by the holders of registration rights on a delayed or continuous basis. Following the filing of the Form F-1, PubCo has agreed to use reasonable efforts to convert the Form F-1 to a shelf registration on Form F-3, and/or to file and cause to become effective a shelf registration on Form F-3, as soon as practicable and in any event after PubCo is eligible to use Form F-3. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), may, subject to certain limitations described in the Registration Rights Agreement, make demand for an underwritten offering of all or any portion of their registrable securities pursuant to the registration statement, up to certain number of times depending on the type of registrable securities that such holder holds; provided that PubCo will not be required to effectuate (i) with respect to any Tranche A Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), more than an aggregate of one (1) registration pursuant to a demand registration, (ii) with respect to any Tranche B Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), more than an aggregate of one (1) registration pursuant to a demand registration, (iii) with respect to any Tranche C Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), more than an aggregate of one (1) registration pursuant to a demand registration, and (iv) with respect to any Tranche D Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), more than an aggregate of one (1) registration pursuant to a demand registration; provided, however, that a registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form F-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time has become effective and all of the registrable securities requested by the requesting holders to be registered on behalf of the requesting holders in such Form F-1 registration have been sold, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement. In addition, holders of registrable securities have certain “piggy-back” registration rights with respect to registration statements filed after the expiration of any lock-up to which such securities are subject pursuant to any Lock-Up Agreement, with certain customary exceptions. PubCo will bear all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
Payoff Letter
On October 10, 2023, the Company entered into a payoff letter agreement (the “Payoff Letter”) with PNAC, PNCPS and WestPark Capital, Inc. (“WestPark”), in connection with: (i) the engagement letter entered into by and among PNAC, PNCPS and WestPark as of October 25, 2022 (the “Financial Advisory Engagement”), (ii) the engagement letter entered into by and between PNAC and PNCPS as of October 25, 2022 (as amended by an amendment dated January 31, 2023 setting forth the compensation therefor, the “Business Combination Advisory Engagement”) and (iii) the placement agent agreement entered into by and between PNAC and PNCPS as of April 30, 2023 (the “Placement Agent Agreement,” together with Financial Advisory Engagement and Business Combination Advisory Engagement, the “Prime Agreements”). Pursuant to the Payoff Letter, the Company would undertake certain amounts and obligations to PNCPS and WestPark (the “Payoff Amount”) under the Prime Agreements in connection with and as a result of the Business Combination. Each of PNCPS and WestPark agreed to equitize the entire Payoff Amount by subscribing for (including having its designated person subscribe for) such number of the Company’s ordinary shares (the “Payoff Shares”), among others under the Payoff Letter. Upon the execution and delivery of the Payoff Letter, the Prime Agreements were terminated automatically without further force and effect and any claims thereunder should be released.
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Equity Incentive Plans
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation — Share Incentive Plan.”
None.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Financial Statements
Consolidated financial statements have been filed as part of this Report. See Item 18 “Financial Statements.”
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in additional legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. We are currently involved in a civil litigation (the "Litigation") in Singapore relating to an alleged breach of a share swap agreement, pursuant to which, subject to certain condition precedents by the claimant, we would engage in a share swap (the “Share Swap”) with the claimant where we will hold 24% of the claimant’s total equity interests and the claimant would hold 8% (the “Minority Interests”) of our total equity interests. In the Litigation, the claimant alleges that we have substantially breached the contract by not performing the Share Swap, and demands, inter alia, that the court orders specific performance of the Share Swap. On October 31, 2023, with respect to the Litigation, we entered into a settlement agreement with the claimant under which, among others, that (i) the claimant and us have irrevocably and unconditionally agreed to a full and final settlement of any Claims (as defined therein), (ii) the claimant and us have further agreed to unconditionally and absolutely discharge and release each other, its affiliates and other Released Persons (as defined therein) with immediate effect from any and all Claims, and (iii) all parties involved in the litigation shall discontinue its respective legal proceeding under the Litigation with no order as to costs and shall file the Notice of Discontinuance within a stipulated period of time, and bear its own costs in relation to the Litigation, the mediation and the settlement. The Share Swap is therefore voided and our shareholding structure will not be affected under such settlement
Dividend Policy
We may declare dividends on our Ordinary Shares from time to time. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as our board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend.
Our board of directors has complete discretion in deciding whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our Company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the Company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Report, we have not experienced any significant changes since June 30, 2023.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
Our Ordinary Shares and Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW,” respectively. Holders of Ordinary Shares and Warrants should obtain current market quotations for their securities. There can be no assurance that our Ordinary Shares and/or Warrants will remain listed on Nasdaq. If we fail to comply with the Nasdaq listing requirements, our Ordinary Shares and/or Warrants could be delisted from Nasdaq. A delisting of our Ordinary Shares will likely restrict the liquidity of our Ordinary Shares and could inhibit or restrict our ability to raise additional financing, among other things.
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Not applicable.
Our Ordinary Shares and Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW,” respectively.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
As of the date of this Report, there were 135,430,452 Ordinary Shares that were outstanding and issued.
The memorandum and articles of association of the Company effective as of August 25, 2023, i.e. the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, are filed as part of this Report.
A summary of material terms of the articles of association of the Company is set forth in Exhibit 2.3 to this Report entitled “Description of Securities Registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934”.
Other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Explanatory Note,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,” “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this annual report, including the below, we have not entered into any material contract during the two years immediately preceding the date of this annual report:
On August 13, 2023, we entered into a Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) with (i) Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”), (ii) Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”), and (iii) Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC (“MSC” and, collectively with MCP and MSTO, the “Seller”) for an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction. On October 26, 2023, we further entered into a Forward Purchase Agreement Confirmation Amendment with the Seller to amend certain terms of the Forward Purchase Agreement.
On August 14, 2023, we entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with ARENA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GLOBAL SPC II, LTD on behalf of and for the account of SEGREGATED PORTFOLIO #9 – SPC #9 (“Arena”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, we have the right to direct Arena to purchase up to an aggregate of $150,000,000 of PubCo Ordinary Shares over the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement. On September 18, 2023, we entered into Amendment No.1 to the Purchase Agreement to amend certain terms of the Purchase Agreement. A summary of material terms and full text of such agreements is set forth in the Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation in the Cayman Islands that may affect the import or export of capital, including the availability of cash and cash equivalents for use by the Company, or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest, or other payments by the Company to non-resident holders of its ordinary shares, assuming the absence of applicable United Nations sanctions as implemented or otherwise adopted under the laws of the Cayman Islands. There is no limitation imposed by laws of Cayman Islands or in the Company’s articles of association on the right of non-residents to hold or vote shares.”
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Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Ordinary Shares by a “U.S. Holder.” This discussion applies only to Ordinary Shares that are held by a U.S. Holder as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not describe all U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder in light of such U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, nor does it address any state, local, or non-U.S. tax considerations, any non-income tax (such as gift or estate tax) considerations, the alternative minimum tax, the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, or any tax consequences that may be relevant to U.S. Holders that are subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:
If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Ordinary Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and the partner. Partnerships holding Ordinary Shares should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences in their particular circumstances.
This discussion is based on the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change or differing interpretation could alter the tax consequences described herein. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge the tax considerations described herein and that a court will not sustain such challenge.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Ordinary Shares, that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF ORDINARY SHARES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Distributions on Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” distributions on Ordinary Shares generally will be taxable as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Such distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the applicable U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Ordinary Shares. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition of the Ordinary Shares and will be treated as described below under “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Company does not intend to maintain calculations of its earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, distributions generally will be reported as dividend income for U.S. information reporting purposes. Subject to the PFIC rules described below, dividends paid by a non-U.S. corporation generally will be taxed at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gain of non-corporate taxpayers if (a) such non-U.S. corporation is eligible for the benefits of certain U.S. treaties or the dividend is paid by such non-U.S. corporation with respect to stock that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (b) the U.S. Holder receiving such dividend is an individual, estate, or trust, and (c) such dividend is paid on shares that have been held by such U.S. Holder for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the “ex-dividend date.” If the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence are not satisfied, a dividend paid by a non-U.S. corporation to a U.S. Holder, including a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, generally will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates (and not at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains). The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the dividend rules. Any such dividends paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar generally will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt of the dividend payment, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of actual or constructive receipt of the dividend payment.
Taxing jurisdictions other than the United States may withhold taxes from distributions on Ordinary Shares, and a U.S. Holder may be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding to the extent there is an applicable tax treaty between the applicable taxing jurisdiction and the United States and/or may be eligible for a foreign tax credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Dividends received generally will be income from non-U.S. sources, which may be relevant in calculating your U.S. foreign tax credit limitation. Such non-U.S. source income generally will be “passive category income”, which is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you. The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and involve the application of rules that depend on a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisor to determine the foreign tax credit implications of owning the Ordinary Shares.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules,” upon any sale or other taxable disposition of Ordinary Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of (A) the amount of cash and (B) the fair market value of any other property received in such sale or disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Ordinary Shares. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such Ordinary Shares exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders generally will be taxed at currently preferential long-term capital gains rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. For foreign tax credit purposes, any such gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss.
If the consideration received by a U.S. Holder upon a sale or other taxable disposition of Ordinary Shares is not paid in U.S. dollars, the amount realized will be the U.S. dollar value of such payment calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of such sale or disposition. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss to the extent of the difference, if any, between (i) the U.S. dollar value of such payment on the date of such sale or disposition and (ii) the U.S. dollar value of such payment calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of settlement.
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U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a sale or other taxable disposition of Ordinary Shares, including the creditability of foreign taxes imposed on such sale or disposition by a taxing jurisdiction other than the United States, in their particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of U.S. Holders could be materially different from that described above if we are treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which (i) 50% or more of the average value of its assets (generally determined on the basis of a weighted quarterly average) consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, or (ii) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, investment gains, net gains from the sales of property that does not give rise to any income and net gains from the sale of commodities (subject to certain exceptions, such as an exception for certain income derived in the active conduct of a trade or business). Cash and cash equivalents are generally treated as passive assets. The value of goodwill will generally be treated as an active or passive asset based on the nature of the income produced in the activity to which the goodwill is attributable. For purposes of the PFIC rules, a non-U.S. corporation that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation.
Based on the current and projected composition of our income and assets, and the valuation of our assets, including goodwill, we do not expect to become a PFIC in the current taxable year for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the Company’s PFIC status for any taxable year is a factual annual determination that can be made only after the end of that year and will depend a number of factors, some of which are beyond our Company’s control, such as the composition of the Company’s income and assets and the value of its assets from time to time (including the value of its goodwill, which may be determined in large part by reference to the market price of the Ordinary Shares from time to time, which could be volatile). In addition, the risk of the Company being a PFIC for any taxable year will increase if its market capitalization declines substantially during that year. The above described look-through rule applicable to a corporation which we own directly or indirectly at least 25% by value of the stock may be complex to apply and certain data might not be readily available for us to make such determination. Furthermore, whether and to which extent the Company’s income and assets, including goodwill, will be characterized as active or passive will depend on various factors that are subject to uncertainty, including the Company’s future business plan and business activities and the application of laws that are subject to varying interpretation (including with respect to the treatment of government grants). Moreover, certain of the Company’s business activities generate passive income and, although the amount of such income is currently small, the Company’s risk of being a PFIC will increase if the proportion of the Company’s revenue earned from such business activities increases in future taxable years. Similarly, the Company’s risk of being a PFIC will increase if the proportion of the Company’s revenue earned from active business activities decreases in future taxable years. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that the Company will not be a PFIC for its current or any future taxable year, and the Company’s U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to the Company’s PFIC status for any taxable year. If our Company was currently or were to become a PFIC, U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares would be subject to special rules and a variety of potentially adverse tax consequences under the Code.
Although PFIC status is generally determined annually, if we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. Holder in its Ordinary Shares and the U.S. Holder did not make either a mark-to-market election or a qualifying electing fund (“QEF”) election or, which are referred to collectively as the “PFIC Elections” for purposes of this discussion, for the first taxable year in which we are treated as a PFIC, and in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) Ordinary Shares, or the U.S. Holder does not otherwise make a purging election, as described below, the U.S. Holder generally will be subject to special and adverse rules with respect to (i) any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of its Ordinary Shares and (ii) any “excess distribution” made to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to the U.S. Holder during a taxable year of the U.S. Holder that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder in respect of its Ordinary Shares during the three preceding taxable years of the U.S. Holder or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period in its Ordinary Shares).
Under these rules:
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PFIC Elections
If we are treated as a PFIC and Ordinary Shares constitute “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder may avoid the adverse PFIC tax consequences discussed above if such U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election with respect to its Ordinary Shares for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder holds (or is deemed to hold) the Ordinary Shares and each subsequent taxable year. Such U.S. Holder generally will include for each of its taxable years as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its Ordinary Shares at the end of such year over its adjusted tax basis in its Ordinary Shares. The U.S. Holder also will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of its adjusted tax basis in its Ordinary Shares over the fair market value of its Ordinary Shares at the end of its taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Ordinary Shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts, and any further gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of its Ordinary Shares will be treated as ordinary income.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” generally, stock that is regularly traded on a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Nasdaq (on which Ordinary Shares are currently listed), or on a foreign exchange or market that the IRS determines has rules sufficient to ensure that the market price represents a legitimate and sound fair market value. As such, such election generally will not apply to any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, unless the shares in such subsidiaries are themselves “marketable stock.” As such, U.S. Holders may continue to be subject to the adverse PFIC tax consequences discussed above with respect to any lower-tier PFICs, as discussed below, notwithstanding their mark-to-market election with respect to Ordinary Shares.
If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years unless Ordinary Shares cease to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability and tax consequences of a mark-to-market election with respect to Ordinary Shares in their particular circumstances.
The tax consequences that would apply if we were a PFIC and a U.S. Holder made a valid QEF election would also be different from the adverse PFIC tax consequences described above. In order to comply with the requirements of a QEF election, however, a U.S. Holder generally must receive a PFIC Annual Information Statement from us. If we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year, we do not currently intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make or maintain a QEF election. As such, U.S. Holders should assume that a QEF election will not be available with respect to Ordinary Shares.
If we are treated as a PFIC and a U.S. Holder failed or was unable to timely make a PFIC Election for prior periods, the U.S. Holder might seek to make a purging election to rid its Ordinary Shares of the PFIC taint. Under the purging election, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have sold its Ordinary Shares at their fair market value and any gain recognized on such deemed sale will be treated as an excess distribution, as described above. As a result of the purging election, the U.S. Holder will have a new adjusted tax basis and holding period in the Ordinary Shares solely for purposes of the PFIC rules.
Related PFIC Rules
If we are treated as a PFIC and, at any time, has a non-U.S. subsidiary that is treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder generally would be deemed to own a proportionate amount of the shares of such lower-tier PFIC, and generally could incur liability for the deferred tax and interest charge described above if we receive a distribution from, or sell or otherwise dispose of all or part of our interest in, such lower-tier PFIC, or the U.S. Holder otherwise was deemed to have sold or otherwise disposed of an interest in such lower-tier PFIC. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the lower-tier PFIC rules in their particular circumstances.
A U.S. Holder that owns (or is deemed to own) shares in a PFIC during any taxable year may have to file an IRS Form 8621 (whether or not a QEF election or a mark-to-market election is made) and to provide such other information as may be required by the U.S. Treasury Department. Failure to do so, if required, will extend the statute of limitations applicable to such U.S. Holder until such required information is furnished to the IRS and could result in penalties.
THE PFIC RULES ARE VERY COMPLEX AND U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF SUCH RULES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
In addition, certain U.S. Holders may be subject to certain reporting obligations with respect to Ordinary Shares if the aggregate value of “specified foreign financial assets” exceeds $50,000. If required, this disclosure is made by filing Form 8938 with the IRS. Significant penalties can apply if U.S. Holders are required to make this disclosure and fail to do so. In addition, a U.S. Holder should consider the possible obligation for online filing of a FinCEN Report 114—Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Report as a result of holding Ordinary Shares. U.S. Holders are thus encouraged to consult their U.S. tax advisors with respect to these and other reporting requirements that may apply to their acquisition of Ordinary Shares.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to distributions made on our Ordinary Shares within the U.S. to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of Ordinary Shares by a non-corporate U.S. Holder to or through a U.S. office of a broker. Payments made (and sales or other dispositions effected at an office) outside the U.S. will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
In addition, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax may apply to such amounts if the U.S. Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number (or otherwise establishes, in the manner provided by law, an exemption from backup withholding) or to report dividends required to be shown on the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax returns.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the information reporting requirements and the application of the backup withholding rules in their particular circumstances.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME AND NON-INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF ORDINARY SHARES, INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE IN LAW, IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Cayman Islands Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in the Ordinary Shares. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law. Prospective investors should consult their professional advisers on the possible tax consequences of buying, holding or selling any shares under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Under Existing Cayman Islands Laws:
Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our Ordinary Shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of interest and principal or a dividend or capital to any holder of Ordinary Shares, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the Ordinary Shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax.
The Company has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability and, as such, has obtained an undertaking from the Governor in Cabinet of the Cayman Islands in the following form:
The Tax Concessions Law
Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the Tax Concessions Law, the following undertaking is hereby given to the Company:
(a) that no law which is hereafter enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to its operations; and
(b) in addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:
(i) on or in respect of the shares, debentures or other obligations of our Company; or
(ii) by way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in Tax Concessions Law.
These concessions shall be for a period of TWENTY years from the 18th day of July 2023.
The Cayman Islands currently levy no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciations and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to the Company levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands save certain stamp duties which may be applicable, from time to time, on certain instruments executed in or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands.
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The Cayman Islands enacted the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (2021 Revision) together with the Guidance Notes published by the Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority from time to time. The Company is required to comply with the economic substance requirements from July 1, 2019 and make an annual report in the Cayman Islands as to whether or not it is carrying on any relevant activities and if it is, it must satisfy an economic substance test.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
We are subject to certain of the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act. Since we are a “foreign private issuer,” we are exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act, with respect to their purchase and sale of our shares. In addition, we are not required to file reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we are required to file with the SEC an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. We may, but are not required, to furnish to the SEC, on Form 6-K, unaudited financial information after each of our first three fiscal quarters. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information that we file with or furnish electronically with the SEC. You may read and copy any report or document we file, including the exhibits, at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the potential financial loss to us resulting from the failure of a customer or a counterparty to settle our financial and contractual obligations, as and when they fall due. As we do not hold any collateral, the maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying amounts of trade and other receivables (exclude upfront payments) and cash and bank deposits presented on the consolidated balance sheets. We have no other financial assets which carry significant exposure to credit risk.
Foreign Currency Risk
We operate in several countries and regions, which exposes us to the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates as we report our financials and key operational metrics in US dollars. We earn revenue denominated in, and generally incur expenses for employee compensation and other operating expenses in, local currencies. Fluctuations in the exchange rates among the various currencies that we use could cause fluctuations in our operational and financial results.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Warrants
Information regarding our Warrants is set forth in the Form F-4 under the section titled “Description of PubCo’s Securities — Warrants” and is incorporated herein by reference. Upon the completion of the Business Combination, there were 3,224,994 Warrants outstanding. The Warrants, which entitle the holder to purchase one Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement and Warrant Assumption Agreement, will become exercisable on September 25, 2023, which is 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. The Warrants will expire on September 25, 2028, (i.e., five years after the completion of the Business Combination) or earlier upon redemption or liquidation in accordance with their terms.
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PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based upon that evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of June 30, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file and furnish under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
This annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report by our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly listed public companies.
This annual Report does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.
Prior to the closing of the Business Combination, we were a private company with limited numbers of accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal controls and procedures. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we and our auditors, an independent registered public accounting firm, identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the PCAOB, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. A “significant deficiency” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, that is less severe than a material weakness yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the company’s financial reporting.
We have started implementing several measures to address this identified material weakness, including: (1) hiring additional accounting and financial reporting personnel with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience, (2) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel; and (3) strengthening corporate governance. Because such remediation measures were not fully implemented, our management concluded that the material weakness still existed as of June 30, 2023. We expect to complete the measures discussed above by the June 30, 2024 and will continue to implement measures to remediate our material weakness in order to meet the deadline for management to report on internal controls as required by Section 404 (a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.
Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this annual Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Mr. Timothy Lai Wah Teo is the chairperson of the audit committee, and he satisfies the criteria of an audit committee financial expert as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees. We seek to conduct business ethically, honestly, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets out the principles designed to guide our business practices with integrity, respect and dedication. The code applies to all directors, officers, employees and extended workforce, including our directors and executive officers. We expect our suppliers, contractors, consultants, and other business partners to follow the principles set forth in its code when providing goods and services to us or acting on our behalf.
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Fees Paid to Independent Public Accountants
The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed by Marcum Asia CPAs LLP.
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Year Ended |
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Services |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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USD |
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USD |
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Audit Fees(1) |
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288,400 |
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252,350 |
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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Our Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. Pre-approval of an audit or non-audit service may be given as a general pre-approval, as part of the audit committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm, or on an individual basis. Any proposed services exceeding general pre-approved levels also requires specific pre-approval by our audit committee. The policy prohibits retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the prohibited non-audit functions defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and also requires the audit committee to consider whether proposed services are compatible with the independence of the registered public accounting firm. All of the fees described above were pre- approved by our Audit Committee.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
Neither we, nor any affiliated purchaser of our Company, has purchased any of our securities during the year ended June 30, 2023.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
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ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Controlled Company
We are a “controlled company” as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because 3DOM Alliance, our majority shareholder, holds more than 50% of our voting power, and we expect we will continue to be a controlled company upon completion of this offering. For so long as we remain a “controlled company,” we are not required to comply with the following permitted to elect to rely, and may rely, on certain exemptions from the obligation to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:
As a result, if we take advantage of these exemptions, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the Nasdaq corporate governance requirements. We intend to take advantage of these controlled company exemptions. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq applicable to U.S. domestic public companies. See “Risk Factors — Because we are a “controlled company” as defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules, you may not have protections of certain corporate governance requirements which otherwise are required by Nasdaq’s rules.”
Foreign Private Issuer
We are a foreign private issuer as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act and are a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and, we are a listed company on the Nasdaq. The Nasdaq market rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards applicable to domestic U.S. companies.
Because we have qualified as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.
In addition, we are not required to have: (i) a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors; (ii) a compensation committee consisting of independent directors; (iii) a nominating and corporate committee consisting of independent directors; or (iv) regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors each year.
We intend to rely on some of the exemptions listed above. As a result, you may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.
We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, you may receive less or different information about us than you would receive about a U.S. domestic public company.
The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. In the future, we could lose our status as a foreign private issuer under current SEC rules and regulations if more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities become directly or indirectly held of record by U.S. holders and any one of the following is true: (i) the majority of our directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States. If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer in the future, it will no longer be exempt from the rules described above and, among other things, will be required to file periodic reports and annual and quarterly financial statements as if we were a company incorporated in the United States. If this were to happen, we would likely incur substantial costs in fulfilling these additional regulatory requirements, including costs related to the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and members of our management would likely have to divert time and resources from other responsibilities to ensuring these additional regulatory requirements are fulfilled.
72
Table of Contents
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
The Company has
73
Table of Contents
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to furnish financial statements and related information specified in Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements are filed as part of this annual Report beginning on page F-1.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
|
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1* |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2* |
|
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|
|
|
2.3* |
|
Description of Securities Registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
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4.2 |
|
|
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4.3 |
|
|
|
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4.4 |
|
|
|
|
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4.5† |
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|
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|
4.6† |
|
|
|
|
|
4.7† |
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|
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|
4.8* |
|
|
|
|
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4.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
74
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
|
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
|
4.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
12.1* |
|
|
|
|
|
12.2* |
|
|
|
|
|
13.1* |
|
|
|
|
|
13.2* |
|
|
|
|
|
15.1* |
|
|
|
|
|
15.2* |
|
|
|
|
|
15.3* |
|
|
|
|
|
* Filed herewith.
† Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
75
Table of Contents
SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this report on its behalf.
|
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noco-noco Inc. |
||||
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|
|||||
November 14, 2023 |
|
|
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By: |
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/s/ Masataka Matsumura |
||
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|
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|
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Name: |
|
Masataka Matsumura |
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|
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|
|
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Title: |
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Director and CEO |
76
Table of Contents
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of noco-noco Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of noco-noco Inc. (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 2, the Company has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. This condition raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
|
/s/ Marcum Asia CPAs LLP |
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
November 14, 2023
NEW YORK OFFICE • 7 Penn Plaza • Suite 830 • New York, New York • 10001
Phone 646.442.4845 • Fax 646.349.5200 • www.marcumasia.com
F-2
Table of Contents
NOCO-NOCO GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts expressed in US dollars (“$”) except for numbers of shares)
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Deposit, upfront payments and other receivables |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Promissory note – Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Right of use assets – operating lease, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accruals and other payables |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Operating lease liability – current |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount due to immediate holding company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease liability – non-current |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary stock ($ |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Additional paid in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total noco-noco Inc. shareholders’ equity |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total shareholders' equity |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
* Shares and per share data are presented on a retroactive basis to give effect to the reverse recapitalization.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
Table of Contents
NOCO-NOCO GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income/(expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Foreign exchange gain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive (loss)/income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Comprehensive loss |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are integral to these financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
NOCO-NOCO GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
|
Ordinary shares |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
|
|
Non- |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Number of shares |
|
|
Amount* |
|
|
Paid in Capital* |
|
|
Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|
Accumulated Deficit |
|
|
controlling Interest |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
||||
Ordinary shares issued for conversion of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Balance as of June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
||||
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Ordinary shares issued for conversion of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Share issued under stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Net loss |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Balance as of June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
||||
*
The accompanying notes are integral to these financial statements.
F-5
Table of Contents
NOCO-NOCO GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Adjustments for reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Deposit, upfront payments and other receivables |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accruals and other payables |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Due from promissory note |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operations |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property and equipment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash used in investing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Proceeds from immediate holding company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash generated from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effect of exchange rate changes |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares for conversion of debt |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The accompanying footnotes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-6
Table of Contents
NOCO-NOCO GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2023 and 2022
(Amounts expressed in US dollars (“$”) except for numbers of shares)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The Company incorporated as a Singapore corporation on July 25, 2019 under the name 3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. The Company is wholly owned by 3DOM Alliance Inc., a Company incorporated in Japan and the ultimate controlling shareholder is Mr. Masataka Matsumara.
On November 9, 2022, the Company changed its name from 3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. to noco-noco Pte. Ltd.
noco-noco Inc. (“we”, "our", “us” or collectively known as the “Company”) is a platform-solution provider of decarbonization offerings, aiming to truly solve urgent environmental crises through the comprehensive decarbonization of all forms of transportation.
Reverse Capitalization
On August 25, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), noco-noco Inc., an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company” or “PubCo”), consummated the previously announced Business Combination (defined below).
On December 29,2022, PubCo, Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (“PNAC”), Prime Number Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”), Prime Number New Sub Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“New SubCo”), noco-noco Pte. Ltd.., a Singapore private company limited by shares (“noco-noco”), and certain shareholders of noco-noco collectively holding a controlling interest (together with other shareholders of noco-noco subsequently joining the transactions, the “Sellers”), entered into a business combination agreement (“Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, PNAC proposed to enter into a business combination with noco-noco involving a merger and a share exchange, among which: (i) Merger Sub would merge with and into PNAC, with PNAC as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (the “Merger”), (ii) New SubCo would acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of noco-noco from the Sellers, and in exchange, PubCo would issue to the Sellers the ordinary shares of PubCo, with noco-noco becoming a subsidiary of New SubCo and an indirect subsidiary of PubCo (the “Share Exchange”, and together with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”).
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each of PNAC and noco-noco would become a subsidiary of PubCo, and PNAC stockholders and the Sellers would receive ordinary shares, par value $
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, upon the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) each PNAC unit (“PNAC Units”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was automatically detached and the holder thereof was deemed to hold one share of PNAC Class A Common Stock (defined below), one half of PNAC Warrant (defined below), and one PNAC Right (defined below); (ii) each share of PNAC Class A common stock, par value $
The Company was determined to be the accounting acquirer given that the original shareholders of noco-noco Group effectively controlled the combined entity after the Transaction. PNAC is treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes. This determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the SPAC Transaction, the Company’s shareholders have a majority of the voting power of the combined company, the Company comprised all of the ongoing operations of the combined entity, the Company comprised a majority of the governing body of the combined company, and the Company’s senior management comprised all of the senior management of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the SPAC Transaction is
F-7
Table of Contents
accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, which is equivalent to the issuance of shares by the Company for the net assets of PNAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The Company is determined as the predecessor, and the historical financial statements of noco-noco Group became the Company’s historical financial statements, with retrospective adjustments to give effect of the reverse recapitalization. The share and per share data is retrospectively restated to give effect to the reverse recapitalization. Net assets of PNAC were stated at historical costs. No goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded. Operations prior to the SPAC Transaction were those of the noco-noco Group.
NOTE 2 – LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $
The Company’s liquidity is based on its ability to generate cash from operating activities, obtain capital financing from equity interest investors and borrow funds on favorable economic terms to fund its general operations and capital expansion needs. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on management’s ability to successfully execute its business plan, which includes increasing revenue while controlling operating cost and expenses to generate positive operating cash flows and obtaining funds from outside sources of financing to generate positive financing cash flows. As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s balance of cash and cash equivalents was $
Furthermore, on August 14, 2023, PubCo entered into a purchase agreement with Arena Business Solutions Global SPC II, Ltd. (“Arena”) as amended from time to time, (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which, PubCo have the right to sell to Arena up to $
There is no assurance that the plans will be successfully implemented. If the Company fails to achieve these goals, the Company may need additional financing to repay debt obligations and execute its business plan, and the Company may not be able to obtain the necessary additional capital on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all. In the event that financing sources are not available, or that the Company is unsuccessful in increasing its gross profit margin and reducing operating losses, the Company may be unable to implement its current plans for expansion, repay debt obligations or respond to competitive pressures, any of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and may materially adversely affect its ability to continue as a going concern.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business are dependent on, among other things, the Company’s ability to operate profitably, to generate cash flows from operations, and to pursue financing arrangements to support its working capital requirements.
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Table of Contents
NOTE 3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in U.S. dollars. We have made all the adjustments that we believe are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial statements.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis we review our estimates and assumptions. The estimates were based on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions, but we do not believe such differences will materially affect our financial position or results of operations.
Fiscal Year End
The Company operates on a fiscal year basis with the fiscal year ending on June 30.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposit with banks, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Deposit, upfront payments and other receivables
Security deposits paid for office lease are accounted for as deposits. Amounts paid in advance for future expenses are accounted for as prepaid expenses. Goods and Service Tax (“GST”) refunds are accounted for as other receivables. We expect that the result of adopting current expected credit loss model (“CECL”) is immaterial to other receivables.
Promissory Note – Prime Number Acquisition I Corp.
During the year, the Company agreed to loan Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. an aggregate of $
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related capitalized assets.
|
|
|
Useful lives |
|
Office equipment |
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
Other current liabilities are liabilities for goods and services provided to the Company prior to the end of the financial year which are unpaid. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Deferred Tax Asset Allowance
Deferred tax assets are recognized for tax losses not yet used and temporary deductible differences. As those deferred tax assets can only be recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax credits can be utilized, management’s judgement is required to assess the probability of future taxable profits. Management’s assessment is constantly reviewed and additional deferred tax assets are recognized if it becomes probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
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Share-based compensation transaction
The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based compensation transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the stock option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. The fair value of the ordinary shares was determined by obtaining quoted prices over-the-counter market based on the latest transacted price of the Company shares that were sold.
Leases
We have entered into operating lease agreements primarily for office. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For all classes of underlying assets, we elect not to recognize right of use assets or lease liabilities when a lease has a lease term of 12 months or less at the commencement date and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise. Operating lease assets and liabilities are included on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in most of our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased asset is located. Operating lease assets also include any prepaid lease payments and lease incentives. Our lease terms include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We generally use the base, non-cancellable, lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration that an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company does not disaggregate its revenue streams as the economic factors underlying the contracts are similar and provide no significant distinction. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (I) identification of the promised goods or services in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.
The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. Once a contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606 at contract inception, the Company reviews the contract to determine which performance obligations the Company must deliver and which of these performance obligations are distinct. The Company recognizes as revenues the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.
Comprehensive Gain or Loss
ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company established that there are items that represented components of comprehensive income and, therefore, has included a statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial amounts, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is “more likely-than-not” that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
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FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. There were
Measurement of Fair Value
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined in the following three categories:
Level 1: applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3: applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
At June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company has
The Company’s financial instruments include cash, upfront payments, other receivables, other payables and related payables. Management estimates that the carrying amounts of financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of amounts with immediate holding company is not practicable to estimate due to the related party nature of the underlying transactions.
Net Loss Per Share
The Company has adopted ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share,” (“EPS”) which requires presentation of basic EPS on the face of the income statement for all entities with complex capital structures and requires a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation. In the accompanying financial statements, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.
For the periods ended June 30, 2023, and 2022, the ordinary shares were included in the computation of diluted net loss per share.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Unrealized gains and losses related to foreign currency translation are accumulated in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCI"). These changes are also reported in "Other comprehensive income (loss)" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of the Company is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company operates. Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured using the current exchange rate for monetary accounts and historical exchange rates for nonmonetary accounts, with exchange differences on remeasurement included in comprehensive income in our Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The Company that utilizes foreign currency as their functional currency translate such currency into U.S. dollars using (i) the exchange rate on the balance sheet dates for assets and liabilities, (ii) the average exchange rates prevailing during the period for revenues and expenses, and (iii) historical exchange rates for equity. Any translation adjustments resulting from this process are shown separately as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ deficit in Balance Sheets.
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Table of Contents
Comparative Information
Certain items in prior years consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation to facilitate comparison..
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2023 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. This guidance will be effective for entities for the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2021 and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
We do not expect any other recently issued accounting standards to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows when they become effective.
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Table of Contents
NOTE 4 – DEPOSIT, UPFRONT PAYMENTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
Deposit, upfront payments and other receivables consists of the following:
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|
June 30, 2023 |
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|
June 30, 2022 |
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||
Deposits |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Upfront payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other receivables |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Deposit consists of the security deposit paid for lease of office, increased mainly due to foreign exchange.
Upfront payments as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 relates to the operating expenses paid in advance.
Other receivables relate to GST receivables.
NOTE 5 – PROMISSORY NOTE – PRIME NUMBER ACQUISITION I CORP.
On May 17, 2023, Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (“PNAC”) issued an unsecured promissory note of $
On June 14, 2023, PNAC issued an unsecured promissory note of $
As of June 30, 2023, a total amount of $
Following the completion of the Business Combination, the promissory note has become an intra-group item to be eliminated, and the Company has no intention of demanding repayment as of the date of issuance of the audited consolidated financial statements
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consist of the following:
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Office |
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|
Total |
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||
Cost |
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At July 1, 2021 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
||
Additions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effects of movements in exchange rates |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
At June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additions |
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|
|
|
|
|
||
Disposal |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Effects of movements in exchange rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
At June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At July 1, 2021 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effects of movements in exchange rates |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
At June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation for the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Disposal |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Effects of movements in exchange rates |
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|
|
|
|
|
||
At June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amounts |
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|
|
|
|
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|
At July 1, 2021 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
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||
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Table of Contents
At June 30, 2022 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
At June 30, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Depreciation expense for the year ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $
During the year ended June 30, 2023, the Company purchased assets of $
NOTE 7 – LEASES
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company has operating lease agreement for its office premises.
Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Generally, the implicit rate of interest (“discount rate”) in arrangements is not readily determinable and the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is a hypothetical rate based on its understanding of what its credit rating would be. The operating lease ROU asset includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives.
Operating lease
The Company has entered into commercial operating leases for the use of office premises in Singapore.
When measuring lease liabilities for leases that were classified as operating leases as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company discounted lease payments using its estimated borrowing rate of
Information pertaining to lease amounts recognized in financial statements is summarized as follows:
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|
June 30, 2023 |
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June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Assets: |
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$ |
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$ |
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|||
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Liabilities: |
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Current: |
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$ |
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$ |
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Non-current |
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|
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|
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— |
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Total lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Minimum lease payments for the Company’s operating lease liabilities were as follows for the twelve-month period ended June 30:
|
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Operating leases |
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2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
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2025 |
|
|
— |
|
Total operating lease payment |
|
$ |
|
|
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Table of Contents
NOTE 8 – IMMEDIATE HOLDING COMPANY BALANCES
The Company follows ASC 850, “Related Party Disclosures,” for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.
Related parties are any entities or individuals that, through employment, ownership or other means, possess the ability to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the Company.
Directors’ remuneration
The Directors’ remuneration for the financial years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 as follow:
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June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Andrew Khine |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Shusuke Oguro |
|
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— |
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Hiroshi Ilzuka |
|
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— |
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Teo Lai Wah, Timothy |
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Goh Chao Kuang |
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|
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— |
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Hilda Sin Mei Fong |
|
|
|
|
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— |
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Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Amounts due to immediate holding company
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company reported amounts due to immediate holding company, 3DOM Alliance Inc. of amount $
The transactions amount due to an immediate holding company are as of the following:
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Beginning of the year July 1 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Advances for operation and administration expenses |
|
|
|
|
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|
||
Expenses paid on behalf of Company |
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|
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|
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|
||
Ordinary shares issued for conversion of debt |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Year ended June 30 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
On July 15, 2022, the Company agreed with 3DOM Alliance Inc. to convert the debt amounting to $
On January 23, 2023. 3DOM Alliance Inc. issued an amendment of the Original Promissory Note (“First Amendment to Original Promissory Note”) extending the principal amount up to S$
On February 2, 2023, the Company requested an additional drawdown of S$
On February 6, 2023. 3DOM Alliance Inc. further issued an amendment of the Original Promissory Note ("Second Amendment to Original Promissory Note") extending the principal amount up to S$
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Table of Contents
NOTE 9 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Company was incorporated on December 28, 2022 with having authorized
On July 18, 2022, the Company issued
On January 19, 2023, the Company granted
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended and as of June 30, 2023 and 2022 were prepared on a retroactive basis to reflect the Group’s consummation of the business combination. The number of shares and net loss per share information is presented as if the consummation took place at the beginning of the period presented.
As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had
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Table of Contents
NOTE 10 – INCOME TAX
noco-noco Pte. Ltd. is incorporated in Singapore, and under the current tax laws of Singapore, its standard corporate income tax rate is
Due to the Company’s net loss position, there was
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
||
Loss before tax |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Tax rate |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Computed tax benefit (expense) at statutory tax rate |
|
|
|
|
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|
||
|
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Tax effect of non-deductible or taxable items: |
|
|
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|
|
Share-based compensation expenses |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Additional deduction for R&D expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in valuation allowance |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Effect of preferential tax rates |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
The Company evaluates each uncertain tax position (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on the technical merits, and measure the unrecognized benefits associated with the tax positions. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company did
As of June 30, 2023, Singapore tax returns for the years
Deferred taxes were measured using the enacted tax rates for the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed.
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carry-forward |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Capital allowance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other provisions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less: valuation allowance |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Subtotal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities arising from assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total deferred tax assets, net |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
The Company had net operating loss carried forward for tax purposes of approximately $
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
June 30, 2022 |
|
||
The changes related to valuation allowance are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Current year addition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at the end of the year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
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Table of Contents
NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, we are subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business, that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, government investigations and tax matters. In accordance with ASC No. 450-20, “Loss Contingencies”, we will record accruals for such loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, there were no pending or threatened claims and litigation as of June 30, 2023 and through November 14, 2023, the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In accordance with FASB ASC 855-10 Subsequent Events, the Company has analyzed its operations subsequent to June 30, 2023 to the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that there is a material subsequent event to disclose in these consolidated financial statements, because we believe that this event will have a significant effect on the future operations of the Company.
On July 14, 2023, PNAC issued an unsecured promissory note of $
On August 13, 2023, the Company entered into a Forward Purchase Agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) and Subscription Agreement (the “FPA Subscription Agreement”) with (i) Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”), (ii) Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”), and (iii) Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC (“MSC” and, collectively with MCP and MSTO, the “Meteora Parties”) for an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreement and FPA Subscription Agreement, Seller agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and the Company agreed to issue and sell to Seller, on the Closing, up to
On August 14, 2023, PubCo entered into a purchase agreement (the “ELOC Purchase Agreement”) with ARENA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GLOBAL SPC II, LTD on behalf of and for the account of SEGREGATED PORTFOLIO #9 – SPC #9 (“Arena”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, PubCo has the right to direct Arena to purchase up to an aggregate of $
On August 17, 2023, PNAC issued an unsecured promissory note of $
On August 25, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), noco-noco Inc. (formerly known as Prime Number Holding Limited), an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company” or “PubCo”), consummated the previously announced Business Combination (defined below). The Business Combination was announced on December 29, 2022, where PubCo, Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (“PNAC”), Prime Number Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”), Prime Number New Sub Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“New SubCo”), noco-noco Pte. Ltd.., a Singapore private company limited by shares (“noco-noco”), and certain shareholders of noco-noco collectively holding a controlling interest (together with other shareholders of noco-noco subsequently joining the transactions, the “Sellers”), entered into a business combination agreement (“Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, PNAC proposed to enter into a business combination with noco-noco involving a merger and a share exchange, among which: (i) Merger Sub would merge with and into PNAC, with PNAC as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (the “Merger”), (ii) New SubCo would acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of noco-noco from the Sellers, and in exchange, PubCo would issue to the Sellers the ordinary shares of PubCo, with noco-noco becoming a subsidiary of New SubCo and an indirect subsidiary of PubCo (the “Share Exchange”, and together with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”). Upon the
F-18
Table of Contents
consummation of the Business Combination, each of PNAC and noco-noco would become a subsidiary of PubCo, and PNAC stockholders and the Sellers would receive ordinary shares, par value $
Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, upon the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) each PNAC unit (“PNAC Units”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was automatically detached and the holder thereof was deemed to hold one share of PNAC Class A Common Stock (defined below), one half of PNAC Warrant (defined below), and one PNAC Right (defined below); (ii) each share of PNAC Class A common stock, par value $
On August 28, 2023, the PubCo Ordinary Shares and PubCo Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “NCNC” and “NCNCW”, respectively.
On October 23, 2023, noco-noco Inc., through its Singapore subsidiary, noco-noco Pte. Ltd. has entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement to acquire noco-tech Inc. (“noco-tech”), a technology innovator from 3DOM Alliance Inc. (“3DOM”). The agreement includes an indefinite license to produce and market the X-SEPA™ separator technology developed by 3DOM. Under the terms of the transaction, noco-noco will issue up to
F-19
Exhibit 2.1
NUMBER Noco-Noco Inc. SHARES CERT.9999 *******9,000,000,000******* INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS $0.0001 PAR VALUE ORDINARY SHARES CUSIP 999999ZZ9 ORDINARY SHARES THIS CERTIFIES THAT * SPECIMEN * Is The Owner of * NINE BILLION AND 00/100 * FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF ORDINARY SHARES OF Noco-Noco Inc. Transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Dated: JANUARY 01, 2009 COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: VSTOCK TRANSFER, LLC Transfer Agent and Registrar By:____________________________ Chief Executive Officer AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
Exhibit 2.2
Execution Version
[FACE]
Number
Warrants
THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR
IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW
NOCO-NOCO INC.
Incorporated Under the Laws of the Cayman Islands
CUSIP G7243P117
Warrant Certificate
This Warrant Certificate certifies that [ ], or registered assigns, is the registered holder of [ ] warrant(s) (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value per share (“Ordinary Shares”), of Noco-Noco Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (the “Company”). Each Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and nonassessable Ordinary Shares as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable Ordinary Share. Fractional shares shall not be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of Ordinary Shares to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The initial Exercise Price per share of Ordinary Shares for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void. The Warrants may be redeemed, subject to certain conditions, as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
Execution Version
This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
[Signature Page Follows]
Execution Version
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VStock Transfer LLC, as Warrant Agent |
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[Signature Page to the Warrant Agreement Exhibit A of Noco-Noco Inc.]
Execution Version
[Form of Warrant Certificate]
[Reverse]
The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive Ordinary Shares and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of May 12, 2022 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to VStock Transfer, LLC, a California limited liability company, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder, respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of Election to Purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Exercise Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the issuance of the Ordinary Shares to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the Ordinary Shares is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in an Ordinary Share, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of Ordinary Shares to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.
Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Execution Version
The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a shareholder of the Company.
Execution Version
Election to Purchase
(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive [ ] Ordinary Shares and herewith tenders payment for such Ordinary Shares to the order of Noco-Noco Inc. (the “Company”) in the amount of $[ ] in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such Ordinary Shares be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such Ordinary Shares be delivered to [ ] whose address is [ ]. If said number of Ordinary Shares is less than all of the Ordinary Shares purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such Ordinary Shares be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to [ ], whose address is [ ].
In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of Ordinary Shares that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.
In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of Ordinary Shares that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive Ordinary Shares. If said number of shares is less than all of the Ordinary Shares purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such Ordinary Shares be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to [ ], whose address is [ ].
[Signature Page Follows]
Execution Version
Date: [ ], 20[ ]
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Signature Guaranteed:
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED).
[Signature Page to the Warrant Agreement Election to Purchase of Noco Noco Inc.]
Exhibit 2.3
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER
SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
The following description of the material terms of our securities following the closing of the Business Combination includes a summary of specified provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association that has been in effect upon closing of the Business Combination. In this exhibit, all capitalized terms used are as defined in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, unless elsewhere defined herein.
We are an exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed by the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Cayman Companies Act and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
We are authorized to issue 500,000,000 ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value each.
We currently have only one class of issued ordinary shares, which have identical rights in all respects and rank equally with one another.
As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, there are 132,436,440 Ordinary Share issued and outstanding.
Description of Ordinary Shares (Items 9.A.3, 9.A.5, 9.A.6, 9.A.7, 10.B.3, 10.B.4, 10.B.6, 10.B.7, 10.B.8, 10.B.9 and 10.B.10 of Form 20-F)
Ordinary Shares
General
Holders of our Ordinary Shares will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders. None of the holders of our Ordinary Shares have different voting rights from the other holders after the completion of this offering.
Holders of our Ordinary Shares will not have any conversion, pre-emptive or other subscription rights under the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and there will be no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to our Ordinary Shares.
Dividends
Subject to the foregoing, the payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, our overall financial condition, available distributable reserves and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profits (including retained earnings) or share premium, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in us being unable to pay our debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of our business.
Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, we are a holding company and depend on the receipt of dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries to pay dividends on our Ordinary Shares. When making recommendations on the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, our board of directors will consider, among other things:
Liquidation
On a winding-up or other return of capital, subject to any special rights attaching to any other class of shares, holders of our Ordinary Shares will be entitled to participate in any surplus assets in proportion to their shareholdings.
Transfers of Shares
Subject to the restrictions contained in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the rules or regulations of the Designated Stock Exchange (as defined in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association) or any relevant securities laws, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her Ordinary Shares by an instrument of transfer in writing and in the usual or common form or in a form prescribed by the Designated Stock Exchange or in any other form approved by our directors.
Our directors have absolute discretion to decline to register any transfer of our Ordinary Shares which are not fully paid up, or on which we have a lien, and shall upon making any decision to decline to register any transfer of our Ordinary Shares assign an appropriate reason therefor. If our directors refuse to register a transfer of any of our Ordinary Shares, they shall within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged with us send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of the refusal. Our directors may also, but are not required to, decline to register any transfer of an Ordinary Share unless:
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares
Our board of directors may, subject to the terms of allotment, make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their Ordinary Shares. Any of our Ordinary Shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are, after a notice period, subject to forfeiture.
Redemption and Repurchase of Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Cayman Companies Act, and to any rights for the time being conferred on the shareholders holding a particular class of shares, and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the designated stock exchange, and/or other competent regulatory authority or otherwise under applicable law, we may, by our directors, issue shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the shareholder holding such redeeming shares or us. The redemption of such shares will be effected in such manner and upon such other terms as our directors, determine before the issue of the shares. We may also, with the consent by special resolution of the shareholders holding shares of a particular class, vary the rights attaching to that class of shares so as to provide that those shares are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of us on the terms and in the manner which the directors determine at the time of such variation. Subject to compliance with the Cayman Companies Act, we may also purchase our own shares (including any redeemable shares) on such terms and in such manner as the directors may determine and agree with the relevant shareholder(s).
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Cayman Companies Act. The Cayman Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:
“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company (except in exceptional circumstances, such as involving fraud, the establishment of an agency relationship or an illegal or improper purpose or other circumstances in which a court may be prepared to pierce or lift the corporate veil).
Differences in Company Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Cayman Companies Act. The Cayman Companies Act is derived, to a large extent, from the older Companies Acts of England and Wales but does not follow recent United Kingdom statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Cayman Companies Act and the current Companies Act of the UK. In addition, the Cayman Companies Act differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the material differences between the provisions of the Cayman Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
The Cayman Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies provided that the laws of the foreign jurisdiction permit such merger or consolidation. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company, and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a new consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company, and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The plan must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the shareholders and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger or consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is affected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
A merger between a Cayman parent company and its Cayman subsidiary or subsidiaries does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders. For this purpose, a subsidiary is a company of which at least 90% of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company is required unless this requirement is waived by a court in the Cayman Islands.
Except in certain limited circumstances, a dissenting shareholder of a Cayman Islands constituent company is entitled to payment of the fair value of his or her shares upon dissenting from a merger or consolidation. The exercise of such dissenter rights will preclude the exercise by the dissenting shareholder of any other rights to which he or she might otherwise be entitled by virtue of holding shares, except for the right to seek relief on the grounds that the merger or consolidation is void or unlawful.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by seventy-five percent (75%) in value of the shareholders or class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
Squeeze-out Provisions
When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Cayman Islands courts, but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.
If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, or if a takeover offer is made and accepted, a dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through means other than these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, or through contractual arrangements of an operating business.
Shareholders Suits
Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff to sue for a wrong done to us as a company and as a general rule, a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English law authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected to follow and apply the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) so that a non-controlling shareholder may be permitted to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the company to challenge:
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime, or against the indemnified person’s own fraud or dishonesty. The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide to the extent permitted by law, PubCo shall indemnify each existing or former secretary, director (including alternate director), and any of our other officers (including an investment adviser or an administrator or liquidator) and their personal representatives against:
No such existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer, however, shall be indemnified in respect of any matter arising out of his own actual fraud, willful default or willful neglect.
To the extent permitted by law, we may make a payment, or agree to make a payment, whether by way of advance, loan or otherwise, for any legal costs incurred by an existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or any of officers of us in respect of any matter identified in above on condition that the director (including alternate director), secretary or officer must repay the amount paid by us to the extent that it is ultimately found not liable to indemnify the director (including alternate director), the secretary or that officer for those legal costs.
This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the DGCL for a Delaware corporation.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, secretaries or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Directors’ Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself or herself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director owes three types of duties to the company: (i) statutory duties, (ii) fiduciary duties, and (iii) common law duties. The Cayman Companies Act imposes a number of statutory duties on a director. A Cayman Islands director’s fiduciary duties are not codified, however the courts of the Cayman Islands have held that a director owes the following fiduciary duties (a) a duty to act in what the director bona fide considers to be in the best interests of the company, (b) a duty to exercise their powers for the purposes they were conferred, (c) a duty to avoid fettering his or her discretion in the future and (d) a duty to avoid conflicts of interest and of duty. The common law duties owed by a director are those to act with skill, care and diligence that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same functions as are carried out by that director in relation to the company and, also, to act with the skill, care and diligence in keeping with a standard of care commensurate with any particular skill they have which enables them to meet
a higher standard than a director without those skills. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, the directors must ensure compliance with the company’s articles. We have the right to seek damages where certain duties owed by any of our directors are breached.
General Meetings of Shareholders
We may, but shall not (unless required by the Designated Stock Exchange Rules) be obligated to, hold an annual general meeting at such time and place as our board of directors will determine. At least 21 clear days’ notice shall be given for of an annual general meeting and at least 14 clear days’ notice shall be given for any other general meeting. Our board of directors may call extraordinary general meetings, and must convene an extraordinary general meeting upon the requisition of one or more shareholders who together hold at least ten per cent of the rights to vote at such general Meeting. One or more shareholders holding not less than one-third of our Ordinary Shares carrying the right to vote at such general meeting present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote will be a quorum for all purposes.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the DGCL, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that, subject to satisfaction of the requirements therein, shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a written resolution signed by all shareholders who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the DGCL, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.
The Cayman Companies Act provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association permit one or more shareholders who together hold at least ten per cent of the rights to vote at such general meeting to requisition a general meeting.
Matters Requiring Shareholder Approval
A special resolution, requiring not less than a two-thirds votes (or a unanimous written resolution), is required to:
Cumulative Voting
Under the DGCL, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Appointment and Removal of Directors
Under the DGCL, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our board may comprise not less than three directors (provided however, may be increased or reduced by Ordinary Resolution) and the maximum number of directors shall be unlimited unless fixed by ordinary resolution. First directors shall be appointed in writing by the subscriber or subscribers to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, or a majority of them, and thereafter, directors may be appointed and removed by our shareholders by ordinary resolution or by the directors. The removal of a director by ordinary resolution may be for any reason and need not be for cause. A director will also cease to be a director if he or she (i) is prohibited by the law of the Cayman Islands from acting as a director; (ii) is made bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his/her creditors generally; (iii) resigns his/her office by notice to the Company; (iv) becomes physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner by whom he/she is being treated; (v) is made subject to any law relating to mental health or incompetence, whether by court order or otherwise; (vi) is absent from meetings of Directors for a continuous period of six months, without the consent of the other directors; or (vii) is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The DGCL contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute under its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either a business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the DGCL, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board.
Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.
Under the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, if the Company is wound up, the shareholders may, subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and any other sanction required by the Cayman Companies Act, pass a special resolutions allowing the liquidator of our company to divide in specie among our shareholders the whole or any part of our assets and/or vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees for the benefit of our shareholders and those liable to contribute to the winding up.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the DGCL, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
Under the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, if our share capital is divided into different classes (unless the terms on which a class of shares was issued state otherwise) the rights attached to any such class may, subject to any rights or restrictions for the time being attached to any class, only be varied with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the issued shares of the relevant class, or with the sanction of special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of such class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the DGCL, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the matter, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.
As permitted by Cayman Islands law, the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association may only be amended by a special resolution of the shareholders.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.
Directors’ Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, or other rights or restrictions. No share may be issued at a discount except in accordance with the provisions of the Cayman Companies Act.
Directors’ Voting Rights
The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association provide that our directors may vote on resolutions relating to any contract or proposed contract or arrangement in which he/she is interested (and count as part of the quorum at any meetings where any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is being considered) provided that such director discloses any material interest in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association. This would include, for example, the right to vote on his/her own compensation arrangements (and that of any other director) and any arrangements in respect of such director borrowing money from the Company (save for the resolution concerning his or her own appointment). The Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association also permit the directors to exercise all of the powers of us to borrow money and to mortgage or charge our undertaking, property and assets both present and future and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures and other securities. These provisions may be varied by a shareholders’ special resolution to make corresponding amendments to the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The above is also subject to our directors’ ongoing adherence to their fiduciary duties (including to act in the best interests of the company).
Inspection of Books and Records
Under the DGCL, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records.
Holders of our shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our register of members or our corporate records (other than the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, our register of mortgages and charges, and any special resolutions passed by our shareholders).
Changes in Capital
Subject to the Cayman Companies Act, we may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
We may by special resolution reduce our share capital in any manner permitted by law.
Warrants
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each PNAC Warrant outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination have been assumed by us and converted into a Warrant. Each of our Warrant continues to have and is subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such PNAC Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination (including any repurchase rights and cashless exercise provisions).
Enforceability of Civil Liability under Cayman Islands Law
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize, or enforce against us, judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State; and (ii) entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State. In those circumstances, although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will in certain circumstances recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without re-examination or retrial of matters adjudicated upon, provide that such judgment (i) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (iii) is final; (iv) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; (v) was not obtained by fraud; and (vi) is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. Subject to the above limitations, in appropriate circumstances, a Cayman Islands court may give effect in the Cayman Islands to other kinds of final foreign judgments such as declaratory orders, orders for performance of contracts and injunctions.
Anti-Money Laundering — Cayman Islands
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures and may require subscribers to provide evidence to verify their identity and source of funds. Where permitted, and subject to certain conditions, we may also delegate the maintenance of our anti-money laundering procedures (including the acquisition of due diligence information) to a suitable person.
We reserve the right to request such information as is necessary to verify the identity of a subscriber. In some cases, the directors may be satisfied that no further information is required since an exemption applies under the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as amended and revised from time to time (the “Regulations”). Depending on the circumstances of each application, a detailed verification of identity might not be required where:
For the purposes of these exceptions, recognition of a financial institution, regulatory authority, or jurisdiction will be determined in accordance with the Regulations by reference to those jurisdictions recognized by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority as having equivalent anti-money laundering regulations.
In the event of delay or failure on the part of the subscriber in producing any information required for verification purposes, we may refuse to accept the application, in which case any funds received will be returned without interest to the account from which they were originally debited.
We also reserve the right to refuse to make any redemption payment to a shareholder if our directors or officers suspect or are advised that the payment of redemption proceeds to such shareholder might result in a breach of applicable anti-money laundering or other laws or regulations by any person in any relevant jurisdiction, or if such refusal is considered necessary or appropriate to ensure our compliance with any such laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction.
If any person in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or money laundering or is involved with terrorism or terrorist financing and property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of business in the regulated sector, or other trade, profession, business or employment, the person will be required to report such knowledge or suspicion to (i) a nominated officer (appointed in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (Revised), if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering; or (ii) to a police constable or a nominated officer (pursuant to the Terrorism Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands) or the Financial Reporting Authority, pursuant to the Terrorism Act (Revised), if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and property. Such a report shall not be treated as a breach of confidence or of any restriction upon the disclosure of information imposed by any enactment or otherwise.
Data Protection — Cayman Islands
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands and any regulations, codes of practice, or orders promulgated pursuant thereto (the “DPA”) based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Privacy Notice
Introduction
This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment in our Company you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA (“personal data”). In the following discussion, the “company” refers to us and our affiliates and/or delegates, except where the context requires otherwise.
We are committed to processing personal data in accordance with the DPA. In our use of personal data, we will be characterized under the DPA as a “data controller,” whilst certain of our service providers, affiliates, and delegates may act as “data processors” under the DPA. These service providers may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.
How We May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data
By virtue of your investment in us, we and certain of our service providers may collect, record, store, transfer, and otherwise process personal data by which individuals may be directly or indirectly identified.
Your personal data will be processed fairly and for lawful purposes, including (a) where the processing is necessary for us to perform a contract to which you are a party or for taking pre-contractual steps at your request, (b) where the processing is necessary for compliance with any legal, tax, or regulatory obligation to which we are subject to, or (c) where the processing is for the purposes of legitimate interests pursued by us or by a service provider to whom the data are disclosed. As a data controller, we will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it. we will contact you if we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose.
Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data
We anticipate that we will share your personal data with our service providers for the purposes set out in this privacy notice. We may also share relevant personal data where it is lawful to do so and necessary to comply with our contractual obligations or your instructions or where it is necessary or desirable to do so in connection with any regulatory reporting obligations. In exceptional circumstances, we will share your personal data with regulatory, prosecuting, and other governmental agencies or departments, and parties to litigation (whether pending or threatened), in any country or territory including to any other person where we have a public or legal duty to do so (e.g. to assist with detecting and preventing fraud, tax evasion, and financial crime or compliance with a court order).
Your personal data shall not be held by us for longer than necessary with regard to the purposes of the data processing.
We will not sell your personal data. Any transfer of personal data outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA. Where necessary, we will ensure that separate and appropriate legal agreements are put in place with the recipient of that data.
We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction, or damage to the personal data.
Who this Affects
If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation to your investment into the company, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should inform such individuals of the content of this privacy notice.
What Are Your Rights
You have certain rights under the DPA, including (a) the right to be informed as to how we collect and uses your personal data (and this privacy notice fulfils our obligation in this respect), (b) the right to obtain a copy of your personal data, (c) the right to require us to stop direct marketing, (d) the right to have inaccurate or incomplete personal data corrected, (e) the right to withdraw your consent and require us to stop processing or restrict the processing, or not begin the processing of your personal data, (f) the right to be notified of a data breach (unless the breach is unlikely to be prejudicial), (g) the right to obtain information as to any countries or territories outside the Cayman Islands to which we, whether directly or indirectly, transfer, intend to transfer, or wish to transfer your personal data, general measures we take to ensure the security of personal data, and any information available to us as to the source of your personal data, (h) the right to complain to the Office of the Ombudsman of the Cayman Islands, and (i) the right to require us to delete your personal data in some limited circumstances.
If you consider that your personal data has not been handled correctly, or you are not satisfied with our responses to any requests you have made regarding the use of your personal data, you have the right to complain to the Cayman Islands’ Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can be contacted by calling +1 (345) 946-6283 or by email at info@ombudsman.ky.
Cayman Islands Economic Substance
The Cayman Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have recently introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. With effect from January 1, 2019, the International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (Revised) (the “Substance
Act”) came into force in the Cayman Islands introducing certain economic substance requirements for in-scope Cayman Islands entities which are engaged in certain “relevant activities,” which in the case of exempted companies incorporated before January 1, 2019, applies in respect of financial years commencing July 1, 2019, onwards. However, it is anticipated that our Company may remain out of scope of the legislation or else be subject to more limited substance requirements.
Description of Debt Securities, Warrants and Rights and Other Securities (Items 12.A, 12.B and 12.C of Form 20-F)
Not applicable.
Description of American Depositary Shares (Items 12.D.1 and 12.D.2 of Form 20-F)
Not applicable.
Exhibit 4.8
Execution Version
Date: |
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August 13, 2023 |
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To: |
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Prime Number Acquisition I Corp., a Delaware corporation (“PNAC”) and NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD., a Singapore private company limited by shares (“Target”) |
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Address: |
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1129 Northern Blvd., Suite 404 |
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From: |
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(i) Meteora Capital Partners, LP (“MCP”) (ii) Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP (“MSTO”) and (iii) Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC (“MSC”) (with MCP, MSTO and MSC collectively as “Seller”) |
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Re: |
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OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction |
The purpose of this agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the transaction (the “Transaction”) entered into between Seller, PNAC and Target on the Trade Date specified below. The term “Counterparty” refers to PNAC until the Business Combination (as defined below), then to Prime Number Holding Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“PubCo”), following the Business Combination. In connection with the transactions contemplated by the BCA (as defined below), (i) Prime Number Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”) shall merge with and into PNAC, with PNAC as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (the “Merger”), (ii) Prime Number New Sub Pte. Ltd., a Singapore private company limited by shares and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“New SubCo”) shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Target from certain shareholders of Target collectively holding a controlling interest (together with other shareholders of Target subsequently joining the transactions, the “Selling Shareholders”), and in exchange, PubCo shall issue to the Selling Shareholders ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo (“PubCo Ordinary Shares”), with Target becoming a subsidiary of New SubCo and an indirect subsidiary of PubCo (the “Share Exchange”, and together with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the BCA, the “Business Combination”). Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, each of PNAC and Target would become a subsidiary of PubCo, and PNAC stockholders and the Selling Shareholders would receive PubCo Ordinary Shares as consideration and become the shareholders of PubCo. Certain terms of the Transaction shall be as set forth in this Confirmation, with additional terms as set forth in a pricing date notice (the “Pricing Date Notice”) in the form of Schedule A hereto. This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notice(s), constitutes a “Confirmation” and the Transaction constitutes a separate “Transaction” as referred to in the ISDA Form (as defined below).
This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notices, evidences a complete binding agreement between Seller, PNAC and Target as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the “Swap Definitions”) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”, and with the Swap Definitions, the “Definitions”), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation governs. If, in relation to the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates, there is any inconsistency between the ISDA Form, this Confirmation (including the Pricing Date Notice), the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Confirmation (including the Pricing Date Notice(s)); (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the ISDA Form.
This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notice, shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement (the “ISDA Form”) as if Seller, Target and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (but without any Schedule except as set forth herein under “Schedule Provisions”) on the Trade Date of the Transaction.
The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms
Type of Transaction: |
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Share Forward Transaction |
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Trade Date: |
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August 13, 2023 |
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Pricing Date: |
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As specified in a Pricing Date Notice. |
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Effective Date: |
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One (T+2) Settlement Cycle following the Pricing Date. |
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Valuation Date: |
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The earlier to occur of (a) the date that is two (2) years after the date of the closing of the Business Combination (the date of the closing of the Business Combination, the “Closing Date”) pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2022 (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “BCA”), by and among PubCo, PNAC, Merger Sub, New SubCo, Target and the Selling Shareholders, (b) the date specified by Seller in a written notice to be delivered to Counterparty at Seller’s discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective) after the occurrence of any of (v) a Shortfall Variance Registration Failure, (w) a VWAP Trigger Event, (x) a Delisting Event, (y) a Registration Failure or (z) unless otherwise specified therein, upon any Additional Termination Event, and (c) the date specified by Seller in a written notice to be delivered to Counterparty at Seller’s sole discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective). The Valuation Date notice will become effective immediately upon its delivery from Seller to Counterparty in accordance with this Confirmation. |
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VWAP Trigger Event: |
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An event that occurs if the VWAP Price, for any 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day-period, is below $2.00 per Share. |
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VWAP Price: |
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For any scheduled trading day, the volume weighted average price per Share for such day as reported on the relevant Bloomberg Screen “PNAC <Equity> AQR SEC” (or any successor thereto), or if such price is not so reported on such trading day for any reason or is erroneous, the VWAP Price shall be as reasonably determined by the Calculation Agent. |
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Reset Price: |
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The Reset Price will initially be the Initial Price and subject to a $7.00 floor (the “Reset Price Floor”). The Reset Price will be subject to reset on a bi-weekly basis commencing the first week following the thirtieth day after the closing of the Business Combination to be the lowest of (a) the then-current Reset Price, (b) the Initial Price and (c) the VWAP Price of the Shares of the prior two weeks; provided that the Reset Price will also be reduced upon a Dilutive Offering Reset immediately upon the occurrence of such Dilutive Offering, which would eliminate the Reset Price Floor if the Dilutive Offering is at an effective price per share less than $7.00. |
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Dilutive Offering Reset: |
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To the extent the Counterparty closes any agreement to sell or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise disposes of or issues (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Shares or any securities of the Counterparty or any of its respective subsidiaries (but for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any secondary transfers), which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire or sell on behalf of the Counterparty at any time Shares or other securities, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, preference shares, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Shares or other securities, at an effective price per share less than the then existing Reset Price (a “Dilutive Offering”), then the Reset Price shall be modified to equal such reduced price as of such date; provided that, without limiting the foregoing, a Dilutive Offering Reset (for the avoidance of doubt) (i) shall include any Equity Line of Credit or other similar financing (but shall exclude the $150 million Equity Line of Credit entered into on or around the date hereof with ARENA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GLOBAL SPC II, LTD), (ii) shall not include the grant, issuance or exercise of employee stock options or other equity awards under the Counterparty or Pubco’s equity compensation plans or Shares underlying warrants now outstanding or to be issued in connection with the Business Combination, (iii) shall not include Shares issued in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the BCA, or (iv) shall not include any Shares or other securities convertible or exercisable for Shares issued pursuant to any other acquisition, merger or similar transaction by the Counterparty or Pubco. |
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Seller: |
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Seller. |
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Buyer: |
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Counterparty. |
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Shares: |
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Prior to the closing of the Business Combination, shares of the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (Ticker: “PNAC”) and, after the closing of the Business Combination, Pubco Ordinary Shares. |
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Number of Shares: |
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The sum of (i) the number of Recycled Shares plus (ii) the number of Additional Shares, but in no event more than the Maximum Number of Shares. The Number of Shares is subject to reduction only as described under “Optional Early Termination.” |
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Maximum Number of Shares: |
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Initially 2,000,000 Shares (the “Purchased Amount”); upon the occurrence of a Dilutive Offering Reset, a number of Shares equal to the quotient of (i) the Purchased Amount divided by (ii) the quotient of (a) the price of such Dilutive Offering divided by (b) the Initial Price. For the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment pursuant to a Dilutive Offering Reset shall only result in an increase to the Maximum Number of Shares. |
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Initial Price: |
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Equals the Redemption Price (the “Redemption Price”) as defined in Section 9.2(a) of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of PNAC, effective as of May 10, 2022, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment effective as of May 17, 2023 and as further amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). |
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Recycled Shares: |
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The number of Shares purchased by Seller from third parties (other than Counterparty) through a broker in the open market (other than through Counterparty); provided that Seller shall have irrevocably waived all redemption rights with respect to such Shares as provided below in the section captioned “Transactions by Seller in the Shares.” Seller shall specify the number of Recycled Shares (the “Number of Recycled Shares”) in the initial Pricing Date Notice. |
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PIPE Subscription Agreement: |
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The Counterparty and Seller have entered into a subscription agreement for the purchase by Seller of the Additional Shares (the “PIPE Subscription Agreement”), and to the extent that the Seller is unable to acquire all of the Additional Shares prior to the closing of the Business Combination, from time to time will enter into additional PIPE Subscription Agreement(s) for the purchase by Seller of the remaining Additional Shares. As of the date hereof, the PIPE Subscription Agreement is in full force and effect and is legal, valid and binding upon the Counterparty and, to the knowledge of the Counterparty, the Seller, enforceable in accordance with it terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Seller shall purchase pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement, Additional Shares in an amount no less than the Maximum Number of Shares less the Recycled Shares; provided, however, that Seller shall not be required to purchase an amount of Additional Shares such that following the issuance of Additional Shares, its ownership would exceed 9.9% ownership of the total Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such issuance unless Seller at its sole discretion waives such 9.9% ownership limitation. |
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Additional Shares: |
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The Seller will purchase Additional Shares from the Counterparty at any date prior to the Valuation Date at the Initial Price, with such number of Shares to be specified in a Pricing Date Notice as Additional Shares subject to 9.9% ownership limitations which may be waived by Seller at its sole discretion; provided that such number of Additional Shares that may be purchased from the Counterparty shall not exceed (x) the Maximum Number of Shares, minus (y) the Recycled Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, any Additional Shares purchased by Seller will be included in the Number of Shares for all purposes. |
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Prepayment Amount: |
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A cash amount equal to the product of (i) the Number of Shares as set forth in a Pricing Date Notice and (ii) the Initial Price less (y) the Prepayment Shortfall. |
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Prepayment: |
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Subject to Counterparty receiving a Pricing Date Notice, Counterparty will pay the Prepayment Amount by bank wire in immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller from (subject to the below exception) the Counterparty’s Trust Account maintained by Wilmington Trust, National Association holding the net proceeds of the sale of the units in Counterparty’s initial public offering and the sale of private placement shares (the “Trust Account”), no later than the earlier of (a) one Local Business Day after the Closing Date and (b) the date any assets from the Trust Account are disbursed in connection with the Business Combination; except that to the extent that the Prepayment Amount is to be paid from the purchase of Additional Shares by Seller, such amount will be netted against such proceeds, with Seller being able to reduce the purchase price for the Additional Shares by the Prepayment Amount.
Counterparty shall provide notice to (i) Counterparty’s trustee of the entrance into this Confirmation no later than one Local Business Day following the date hereof, with copy to Seller and Seller’s outside legal counsel, and (ii) Seller and Seller’s outside legal counsel a final draft of the flow of funds from the Trust Account one Local Business Day prior to the closing of the Business Combination itemizing the Prepayment Amount due to Seller; provided that Seller shall be invited and permitted to attend any closing call in connection with the Business Combination. |
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Prepayment Shortfall: |
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An amount in USD equal to $1,000,000; provided that Seller shall pay one half (1/2) of the Prepayment Shortfall to Counterparty on the Prepayment Date (which amount shall be netted from the Prepayment Amount) (the “Initial Shortfall”) and, provided the VWAP Price is greater than $6.00 for any 45 trading days during the prior 90 consecutive trading day period and the average daily trading value over such period equals at least four times the Future Shortfall (as defined below), at the request of Counterparty, the other one half (1/2) of the Prepayment Shortfall (the “Future Shortfall”) on the date (the “Future Shortfall Date”) that is the earlier of (a) the date that the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective (the “Registration Statement Effective Date”) and (b) the initial OET Date. |
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Prepayment Shortfall Consideration: |
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Seller in its sole discretion may sell Recycled Shares at any time following the Trade Date and at any sales price, without payment by Seller of any Early Termination Obligation (as defined below) until such time as the proceeds from such sales equal 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall (as set forth under Shortfall Sales below) (such sales, “Shortfall Sales,” and such Shares, “Shortfall Sale Shares”). A sale of Shares is only (a) a “Shortfall Sale,” subject to the terms and conditions herein applicable to Shortfall Sale Shares, when a Shortfall Sale Notice is delivered hereunder, and (b) an Optional Early Termination, subject to the terms and conditions herein applicable to Terminated Shares, when an OET Notice (as defined below) is delivered hereunder, in each case the delivery of such notice in the sole discretion of the Seller. |
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Variable Obligation: |
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Not applicable. |
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Exchanges: |
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Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, New York Stock Exchange LLC or NYSE American LLC |
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Related Exchange(s): |
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All Exchanges |
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Payment Dates: |
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Following the Business Combination, the last day of each calendar quarter or, if such date is not a Local Business Day, the next following Local Business Day, until the Valuation Date. |
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Reimbursement of Legal Fees and Other Expenses: |
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Together with the Prepayment Amount, Counterparty shall pay to Seller an amount equal to (a) the reasonable and documented attorney fees and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related thereto actually incurred by Seller or its affiliates in connection with this Transaction, not to exceed $25,000 in the aggregate and (b) expenses actually incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Recycled Shares in an amount not to exceed $0.06 per Recycled Share. Counterparty shall also pay to Seller, a quarterly fee of $5,000 (payable at the Closing Date, prorated to account for any days remaining in the quarter, and upon the first day of each subsequent quarter) in consideration of certain legal and administrative obligations in connection with this Transaction, including, without limitation, legal, structuring and documentation, entity maintenance, account set-up, and ongoing audit fees. |
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Settlement Terms |
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Settlement Method Election: |
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Not Applicable. |
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Settlement Method: |
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Cash Settlement. |
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Settlement Amount: |
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In the event the Valuation Date is determined by clause (c) of the above section entitled Valuation Date, a cash amount equal to (1) the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date, multiplied by (2) the closing price of the Shares on the Exchange Business Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date. |
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In all other cases, a cash amount equal to the Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date less the number of Unregistered Shares (as defined below), multiplied by the volume weighted daily VWAP Price over the Valuation Period.
Unless the Valuation Date is determined by clause (c) of the above section entitled “Valuation Date,” in the event that Seller has delivered a Registration Request at least 90 days prior to the Valuation Date (other than where the Valuation Date results from the occurrence of clause (a) in the definition of Registration Failure), Shares which are set forth in Pricing Date Notices that are neither registered for resale under an effective resale Registration Statement nor transferable without any restrictions pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act, including pursuant to Rule 144 (so long as not subject to the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144(e), (f) and (g)) (in either event, “Unregistered Shares”) will not be included in the calculation of the Settlement Amount. |
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Settlement Amount Adjustment: |
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A cash amount equal to the product of (1) the Maximum Number of Shares as of the Valuation Date multiplied by (2) $1.00. The Settlement Amount Adjustment shall be paid (x) in the event that the expected Settlement Amount determined by the VWAP Price over the 15 scheduled trading days ending on but excluding the Valuation Date exceeds the Settlement Amount Adjustment, in cash (in which case the Settlement Amount Adjustment will be automatically netted from the Settlement Amount and any remaining amount paid in cash), or (y) otherwise, at the option of Counterparty, in cash or Shares (such Shares, the “Maturity Shares”) (other than in the case of a Delisting Event, in which case the Settlement Amount Adjustment must be paid in cash). In the event that Counterparty is eligible to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment using Maturity Shares, Counterparty will be deemed to have elected to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment in Maturity Shares unless Counterparty notifies Seller no later than ten Local Business Days prior to the Valuation Date that Counterparty elects to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment in cash. In the event the Settlement Amount Adjustment is paid in Maturity Shares then, on the Valuation Date, Counterparty shall deliver to Seller an initial calculation of the Maturity Shares equal to (a) the Settlement Amount Adjustment divided by (b) the volume weighted daily VWAP Price over the 15 scheduled trading days ending on but excluding the Valuation Date (the “Estimated Maturity Shares”). The total number of Maturity Shares to be delivered to Seller by Counterparty shall be based on the volume weighted daily VWAP Price over the Valuation Period (the “Final Maturity Shares”). On the Local Business Day following the end of the Valuation Period, (i) if the Final Maturity Shares exceeds the Estimated Maturity Shares, Counterparty shall deliver to Seller an additional number of Maturity Shares equal to such excess, and (ii) if the volume weighted daily VWAP Price over the Valuation Period multiplied by the Estimated Maturity Shares exceeds the Settlement Amount Adjustment, Seller shall deliver to Counterparty a cash amount equal to such excess. By no later than the start of the Valuation Period, all Maturity Shares shall be registered for resale by the Counterparty under an effective resale Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act under which Seller may sell or transfer the Shares and, subject to the receipt of Seller representation letters and such other customary supporting documentation as requested by (and in a form reasonably acceptable to) Counterparty and its counsel, bear no restrictive legend; provided, however, that Counterparty shall not be able to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment with Maturity Shares if following the issuance of the Maturity Shares, Seller’s ownership of Shares would exceed 9.9% ownership of the total Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such issuance unless Seller at its sole discretion waives such 9.9% ownership limitation. To the extent that a Delisting Event occurs during the Valuation Period, the VWAP Price for the remainder of the Valuation Period shall be deemed to be zero and any election to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment with Maturity Shares will automatically revert to a requirement that the Settlement Amount Adjustment be paid in cash such that any further payment that is to be made of the Settlement Amount Adjustment as provided above shall be made by Seller in cash. |
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Valuation Period: |
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The period commencing on the Valuation Date (or if the Valuation Date is not an Exchange Business Day, the first Exchange Business Day thereafter) and ending at 4:00 pm on the Exchange Business Day on which 10% of the total volume traded in the Shares over the period, excluding any volumes traded during the opening and closing auctions, has reached an amount equal to the Number of Shares outstanding as of the Valuation Date plus the Estimated Maturity Shares, less the number of Shares owned by Seller that are neither registered for resale under an effective resale Registration Statement nor eligible for resale under Rule 144 without volume or manner of sale limitations (but only counting such Shares that are eligible for resale under Rule 144 to the extent the Counterparty is in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144(i)(2) for the entire period). |
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Settlement Currency: |
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USD. |
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Cash Settlement Payment Date: |
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The tenth Local Business Day immediately following the last day of the Valuation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, the Seller will remit to the Counterparty on the Cash Settlement Payment Date an amount equal to the Settlement Amount and will not otherwise be required to return to the Counterparty any of the Prepayment Amount and the Counterparty shall remit to the Seller the Settlement Amount Adjustment; provided, that if the Settlement Amount less the Settlement Amount Adjustment is a negative number and either clause (x) of Settlement Amount Adjustment applies or the Counterparty has elected pursuant to clause (y) of Settlement Amount Adjustment to pay the Settlement Amount Adjustment in cash, then neither the Seller nor the Counterparty shall be liable to the other party for any payment under this section. |
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Excess Dividend Amount: |
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Ex Amount. |
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Optional Early Termination: |
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From time to time and on any date following the Trade Date (any such date, an “OET Date”) and subject to the terms and conditions below, Seller may, in its absolute discretion, terminate the Transaction in whole or in part by providing written notice to Counterparty (the “OET Notice”), no later than the next Payment Date following the OET Date, (which shall specify the quantity by which the Number of Shares shall be reduced (such quantity, the “Terminated Shares”)); provided that “Terminated Shares” includes only such quantity of Shares by which the Number of Shares is to be reduced and included in an OET Notice and does not include any other Share sales, Shortfall Sale Shares or sales of Shares that are designated as Shortfall Sales (which designation can be made only up to the amount of Shortfall Sale Proceeds), any Share Consideration Shares sales or any other Shares, whether or not sold, which Shares will not be included in any OET Notice or included in the definition, or when calculating the number, of Terminated Shares. The effect of an OET Notice shall be to reduce the Number of Shares by the number of Terminated Shares specified in such OET Notice with effect as of the related OET Date. As of each OET Date, Counterparty shall be entitled to an amount from Seller, and the Seller shall pay to Counterparty an amount, equal to the product of (x) the number of Terminated Shares and (y) the Reset Price in respect of such OET Date (an “Early Termination Obligation”), except that no such amount will be due to Counterparty upon any Shortfall Sale; provided, that Seller shall pay the Early Termination Obligation to the accounts and in the amounts as directed by Counterparty. The remainder of the Transaction, if any, shall continue in accordance with its terms. The Early Termination Obligation shall be payable by Seller on the first Local Business Day following the date of delivery by Seller of the OET Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, no other amounts as may be set forth in Sections 16.1 and 18.1 of the Swap Definitions shall be due to Counterparty upon an Optional Early Termination. The payment date may be changed within a quarter at the mutual agreement of the parties. |
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Shortfall Sales: |
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From time to time and on any date following the Trade Date (any such date, a “Shortfall Sale Date”) and subject to the terms and conditions below, Seller may, in its absolute discretion, at any sales price, sell Shortfall Sale Shares, and in connection with such sales, Seller shall provide written notice to Counterparty (the “Shortfall Sale Notice”) no later than the later of (a) the fifth Local Business Day following the Shortfall Sales Date and (b) the first Payment Date after the Shortfall Sales Date, specifying the quantity of the Shortfall Sale Shares and the allocation of the Shortfall Sale Proceeds. Seller shall not have any Early Termination Obligation in connection with any Shortfall Sales. The Counterparty covenants and agrees for a period of at least sixty Local Business Days (commencing on the Prepayment Date or if an earlier Registration Request is submitted by Seller on the Registration Statement Effective Date) not to issue, sell or offer or agree to sell any Shares, or securities or debt that is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Shares, including under any existing or future Equity Line of Credit (other than issuance pursuant to the $150 million Equity Line of Credit entered into on or around the date hereof with ARENA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GLOBAL SPC II, LTD), until the Shortfall Sales equal the Prepayment Shortfall; provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing covenant shall prohibit (i) the grant, issuance or exercise of employee stock options or other equity awards under the Counterparty’s equity compensation plans or (ii) the issuance of any securities issued or assumed in connection with the Business Combination or (iii) repricing of Counterparty’s warrants in connection with the closing of the Business Combination, and (v) the issuance of any Shares or other securities convertible or exercisable for Shares issued pursuant to any other acquisition, merger or similar transaction by the Counterparty if the Shares or other securities issued in the transaction are restricted from transfer pursuant to a market standard lock-up agreement for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
Unless and until the proceeds from Shortfall Sales equal 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall, in the event that the product of (x) the difference between (i) the number of Shares as specified in the Pricing Date Notice(s), less (ii) any Shortfall Sale Shares as of such measurement time, multiplied by (y) the VWAP Price, is less than (z) the difference between (i) the Prepayment Shortfall, less (ii) the proceeds from Shortfall Sales as of such measurement time (the “Shortfall Variance”), then the Counterparty, as liquidated damages in respect of such Shortfall Variance, at its option shall within five (5) Local Business Days either:
(A) Pay in cash an amount equal to the Shortfall Variance; or |
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(B) Issue and deliver to Seller such number of additional Shares that are equal to (1) the Shortfall Variance, divided by (2) 90% of the VWAP Price (the “Shortfall Variance Shares”).
In the event that the Counterparty issues and delivers to Seller Shortfall Variance Shares, within thirty calendar days of such issuance and delivery, Counterparty shall use its reasonable best efforts to file (at Counterparty’s sole cost and expense) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement registering the resale of all shares held by the Seller, including the Recycled Shares (the “Shortfall Variance Registration Statement”), and have the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earliest of (i) the 60th calendar day (or 105th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement) following the issuance and delivery of the Shortfall Variance Shares and (ii) the 5th Local Business Day after the date the Counterparty is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Shortfall Variance Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Upon notification by the Commission that the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, within two Local Business Days thereafter, the Counterparty shall file the final prospectus under Rule 424 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended containing a “plan of distribution” reasonably agreeable to Seller. Counterparty shall not identify Seller as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless requested by the Commission. The Counterparty will use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement covering the resale of the shares as described above continuously effective (except for customary blackout periods, up to twice per year and for a total of up to 15 calendar days (and not more than 10 calendar days in an occurrence), if and when the Counterparty is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which, in the good faith judgment of the Counterparty’s board of directors, would be prejudicial, and the Counterparty agrees to promptly notify Seller of any such blackout determination) until all such shares have been sold or may be transferred without any restrictions including the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2) or the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act; provided that Counterparty covenants and agrees to make all necessary filings, amendments, supplements and submissions in furtherance of the foregoing, including to register all of Seller’s Shares for resale; provided that it shall be a (“Shortfall Variance Registration Failure”) if (a) the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement covering all of the shares described above in this section is not declared effective after the 60th calendar day (or 105th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement) after the issuance and delivery of the Shortfall Variance Shares) or (b) the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement after it is declared effective ceases to be continuously effective (subject to the blackout periods as indicated above) as set forth in the preceding sentence for more than 15 consecutive calendar days. Seller will promptly deliver customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent in connection with the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement, including those related to selling shareholders and to respond to comments by the staff of the Commission. If requested by Seller, the Counterparty shall within five (5) Local Business Days of receipt of such request, subject to receipt of a legal opinion of Counterparty’s counsel, instruct its transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend with respect to transfers under the Securities Act from any and all Shares held by Seller if (1) the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement is and continues to be effective under the Securities Act, (2) such Shortfall Variance Shares are sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (subject to all applicable requirements of Rule 144 being met), or (3) such Shortfall Variance Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144, without the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) as to the Shortfall Variance Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions; provided that Seller shall have timely provided customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent in connection therewith. Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent, Counterparty’s counsel or otherwise) associated with the issuance of any legal opinion required by the Counterparty’s transfer agent or the removal of such legend shall be borne by the Counterparty.. |
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Any Shortfall Variance Shares shall constitute Shortfall Shares, and the sale of such Shortfall Variance Shares after the Shortfall Variance Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission shall be a Shortfall Sale. If the Shortfall Variance has not been paid in cash by the Counterparty, and after the sale of all Shortfall Variance Shares, the proceeds from all Shortfall Sales, including the Shortfall Variance Shares, is less than 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall, then there will be another Shortfall Variance, calculated in accordance with this provision, and the Counterparty shall address such Shortfall Variance as provided for by this provision. This shall continue until such time as the proceeds from all Shortfall Sales equal 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall or the Counterparty shall have paid any Shortfall Variance in cash.
With respect to the forgoing and any issuance of Shortfall Variance Shares, the Counterparty shall not issue any Shortfall Variance Shares pursuant to this provision to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of Shares that would be issued pursuant to this provision would exceed 19.99% of the Shares that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to such issuance, which number of shares shall be (i) reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of Shares issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated hereby under applicable rules of the Nasdaq and (ii) appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction that occurs after the date of this Confirmation (such maximum number of shares, the “Exchange Cap”), unless and until the Counterparty elects to solicit shareholder approval of the issuance of the Shortfall Variance Shares as contemplated hereby, and the shareholders of the Counterparty have in fact approved the issuance of the Shortfall Variance Shares as contemplated hereby in accordance with the applicable rules of the Nasdaq. In the event that there is an Exchange Cap, if the Counterparty does not elect to solicit shareholder approval and obtain such shareholder approval in accordance with the applicable rules of the Nasdaq, then the Counterparty will pay the Shortfall Variance in cash. |
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Share Consideration: |
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In addition to the Prepayment Amount, Counterparty shall pay directly from the Trust Account, on the Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the product of (x) 150,000 and (y) the Initial Price. The Shares purchased with the Share Consideration (the “Share Consideration Shares”) shall be incremental to the Maximum Number of Shares, shall not be included in the Number of Shares in this Transaction, and the Seller and the Share Consideration Shares shall be free and clear of all obligations with respect to the Seller and such Share Consideration Shares in connection with this Confirmation. |
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Share Registration: |
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Within 30 days after receipt of a written request of Seller (the “Registration Request”), which request may be made no earlier than the Trade Date (as defined above) and no later than the Valuation Date, Counterparty shall file (at Counterparty’s sole cost and expense) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement registering the resale of all shares held by the Seller, including the Recycled Shares, Share Consideration Shares and any Additional Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earliest of (i) the 90th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following the date of the Registration Request (provided, however, that in the event the Commission issues any written rules related to special purpose acquisition companies that would reasonably effect the timing of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and such rules become effective following the date hereof and prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, such number of calendar days in this subsection (i) shall be changed to the 120th calendar day (or 180th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) and (ii) the 5th Local Business Day after the date the Counterparty is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (each respective date as described above, the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that (x) if such day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business and (y) if the Commission is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended by the same number of Business Days that the Commission remains closed for. Upon notification by the Commission that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, within two Local Business Days thereafter, the Counterparty shall file the final prospectus under Rule 424 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended containing a “plan of distribution” reasonably agreeable to Seller. |
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Counterparty shall not identify Seller as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless requested by the Commission. In the event that the SEC asks that Seller be identified as a statutory underwriter, Seller shall have the option, in its sole discretion and without any breach of this provision or without any Registration Failure deemed to have occur, to remove its shares from the Registration Statement. The Counterparty will use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Registration Statement covering the resale of the shares as described above continuously effective (except for customary blackout periods, up to three times per year and for a total of up to 90 calendar days (and not more than 45 calendar days in an occurrence), if and when the Counterparty is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which, in the good faith judgment of the Counterparty’s board of directors, would be prejudicial, and the Counterparty agrees to promptly notify Seller of any such blackout determination) until all such shares have been sold or may be transferred without any restrictions, including the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) or the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144(e), (f) and (g) under the Securities Act; provided that Counterparty covenants and agrees to make all necessary filings, amendments, supplements and submissions in furtherance of the foregoing, including to register all of Seller’s Shares for resale; provided further, that it shall be a “Registration Failure” if (a) the Registration Statement covering all of the shares described above in this section is not declared effective after the 90th calendar day (or 120th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) after the Trade Date (provided, however, that in the event the Commission issues any written rules related to special purpose acquisition companies that would reasonably effect the timing of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and such rules become effective following the date hereof and prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, such number of calendar days in this subsection (i) shall be changed to the 120th calendar day (or 180th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) and or (b) the Registration Statement after it is declared effective ceases to be continuously effective (subject to the blackout periods as indicated above) as set forth in the preceding sentence for more than 120 consecutive calendar days; provided, that (x) if such day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business and (y) if the Commission is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended by the same number of Business Days that the Commission remains closed for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Registration Failure will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Shares that may be transferred at such time under Rule 144 (without volume or manner of sale limitations), so long as the Counterparty is in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 (c)(1) and (i)(2), if applicable.
Seller will promptly deliver customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent in connection with the Registration Statement, including those related to selling shareholders, and to respond to SEC comments. If requested by Seller, the Counterparty shall remove or instruct its transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend with respect to transfers under the Securities Act from any and all Shares held by Seller if (1) the Registration Statement is and continues to be effective under the Securities Act, (2) such Shares are sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (subject to all applicable requirements of Rule 144 being met), or (3) such Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144, without the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) or the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144(e), (f) and (g) under the Securities Act; provided in the case of (1), (2) or (3) that Seller shall have timely provided customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent in connection therewith. Any reasonable and documented fees (with respect to the transfer agent, Counterparty’s counsel or otherwise) associated with the issuance of any legal opinion required by the Counterparty’s transfer agent or the removal of such legend shall be borne by the Counterparty. If a legend is no longer required pursuant to the foregoing, the Counterparty will, no later than five Local Business Days following the delivery by Seller to the Counterparty or the transfer agent (with notice to the Counterparty) of customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent, remove the restrictive legend related to the book entry account holding the Shares and make a new, unlegended book entry for the Shares. |
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Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in this Share Registration section, in the event the Commission informs the Counterparty that all of the Shares cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Counterparty agrees to promptly (i) inform Seller and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the Registration Statement as required by the Commission and/or (ii) withdraw the Registration Statement and file a new registration statement (a “New Registration Statement”), on Form F-3, or if Form F-3 is not then available to the Counterparty for such registration statement, on such other form available to register for resale the Shares as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Counterparty shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Shares in accordance with any publicly-available written or oral guidance, comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff (the “SEC Guidance”). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation of the number of securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering (and notwithstanding that the Counterparty used commercially reasonable efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all or a greater number of the Shares), unless otherwise directed in writing by a selling shareholder as to its securities to register fewer securities, the number of securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced on a pro rata basis among all selling shareholders named in such Registration Statement (except that such pro rata reduction shall not apply with respect to any securities the registration of which is necessary to satisfy applicable listing rules of a national securities exchange). In the event the Counterparty amends the Registration Statement or files a New Registration Statement, as the case may be, under clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Counterparty will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission, as promptly as allowed by Commission or SEC Guidance provided to the Counterparty or to registrants of securities in general, one or more registration statements on Form F-3 or such other form available to register for resale that portion of Shares that were not registered for resale on the Registration Statement, as amended, or the New Registration Statement, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to seek effectiveness of the New Registration Statement, but in any event no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the filing of such Registration Statement (the “Additional Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that the Additional Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to ninety (90) calendar days (or one hundred twenty (120) calendar days if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the New Registration Statement) if such New Registration Statement is reviewed by, and comments thereto are provided from, the Commission; provided, further, that the Counterparty shall have such Registration Statement declared effective within five (5) Business Days after the date the Counterparty is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the staff of the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review; provided, further, that (x) if such day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Additional Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business and (y) if the Commission is closed for operations due to a government shutdown, the Additional Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended by the same number of Business Days that the Commission remains closed for. For the avoidance of doubt, any such amendments to or withdrawal of the Registration Statement or filing of the New Registration Statement shall not constitute a Registration Failure. |
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Short Selling: |
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Seller represents that with respect to the securities of Pubco, it has not engaged in any short selling activity of any kind prior to the date hereof and shall not engage in any such activity whatsoever at any time through the Valuation Date. |
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Share Adjustments: |
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Method of Adjustment: |
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Calculation Agent Adjustment. |
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Extraordinary Events: |
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Consequences of Merger Events involving Counterparty: |
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Share-for-Share: |
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Calculation Agent Adjustment. |
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Share-for-Other: |
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Cancellation and Payment. |
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Share-for-Combined: |
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Component Adjustment. |
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Tender Offer: |
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Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) replacing the reference therein to “10%” with “25%” and (ii) adding “, or of the outstanding Shares,” before “of the Issuer” in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding “or Shares, as applicable,” after “voting Shares”. |
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Consequences of Tender Offers: |
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Share-for-Share: |
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Calculation Agent Adjustment. |
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Share-for-Other: |
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Calculation Agent Adjustment. |
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Share-for-Combined: |
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Calculation Agent Adjustment. |
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Composition of Combined Consideration: |
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Not Applicable. |
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Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: |
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Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it shall also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, Nasdaq Capital Market or the Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors) or such other exchange or quotation system which, in the determination of the Calculation Agent, has liquidity comparable to the aforementioned exchanges; if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any such exchange or quotation system, such exchange or quotation system shall be deemed to be the Exchange. |
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Business Combination Exclusion: |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision herein, the parties agree that any PIPE financing in connection with the Business Combination and the Business Combination shall not constitute a Merger Event, Tender Offer, Delisting or any other Extraordinary Event hereunder. |
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Additional Disruption Events: |
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(a) Change in Law: |
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Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute)” after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof. |
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(b) Failure to Deliver: |
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Not Applicable. |
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(c) Insolvency Filing: |
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Applicable. |
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(d) Hedging Disruption: |
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Not Applicable. |
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(e) Increased Cost of Hedging: |
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Not Applicable. |
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(f) Loss of Stock Borrow: |
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Not Applicable. |
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(g) Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: |
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Not Applicable. |
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Determining Party: |
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For all applicable events, Seller, unless (i) an Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to Seller, or (ii) if Seller fails to perform its obligations as Determining Party, in which case a Third Party Dealer (as defined below) in the relevant market selected by Counterparty will be the Determining Party. When making any determination or calculation as “Determining Party”, Seller shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation as if Determining Party were the Calculation Agent. |
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Additional Provisions: |
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Calculation Agent: |
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Seller, unless (i) an Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to Seller, or (ii) if Seller fails to perform its obligations as Calculation Agent, in which case an unaffiliated leading dealer in the relevant market selected by Counterparty in its sole discretion will be the Calculation Agent. |
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In the event that a party (the “Disputing Party”) does not agree with any determination made (or the failure to make any determination) by the Calculation Agent or the Determining Party, the Disputing Party shall have the right to require that the Calculation Agent or the Determining Party, as applicable, have such determination reviewed by a disinterested third party that is a dealer in derivatives of the type that is the subject of the dispute and that is not an Affiliate of either party (a “Third Party Dealer”). Such Third Party Dealer shall be jointly selected by the parties within one Local Business Day after the Disputing Party’s exercise of its rights hereunder (once selected, such Third Party Dealer shall be the “Substitute Calculation Agent” or “Substitute Determining Party,” as applicable). If the parties are unable to agree on a Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable, within the prescribed time, each of the parties shall elect a Third Party Dealer and such two dealers shall agree on a Third Party Dealer by the end of the subsequent Local Business Day. Such Third Party Dealer shall be deemed to be the Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable. Any exercise by the Disputing Party of its rights hereunder must be in writing and shall be delivered to the Calculation Agent or Determining Party, as applicable, not later than the third Local Business Day following the Local Business Day on which the Calculation Agent or Determining Party, as applicable, notifies the Disputing Party of any determination made (or of the failure to make any determination). Any determination by the Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable, shall be binding in the absence of manifest error and shall be made as soon as possible but no later than the second Local Business Day following the Substitute Calculation Agent’s or Substitute Determining Party’s, appointment, as applicable. The costs of such Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable, shall be borne by (a) the Disputing Party if the Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable, substantially agrees with the Calculation Agent or Determining Party, or (b) the non-Disputing Party if the Substitute Calculation Agent or Substitute Determining Party, as applicable, does not substantially agree with the Calculation Agent or Determining Party, as applicable. If, after following the procedures and within the specified time frames set forth above, a binding determination is not achieved, the original determination of the Calculation Agent or Determining Party, as applicable, shall apply. |
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Following any adjustment, determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a written request by Counterparty (which may be by email), the Calculation Agent will promptly (but in any event within five Exchange Business Days) provide to Counterparty by email to the email address provided by Counterparty in such written request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such adjustment, determination or calculation (including any quotations, market data or information from internal or external sources, and any assumptions used in making such adjustment, determination or calculation), it being understood that in no event will the Calculation Agent be obligated to share with Counterparty any proprietary or confidential data or information or any proprietary or confidential models used by it in making such adjustment, determination or calculation or any information that is subject to an obligation not to disclose such information. All calculations and determinations by the Calculation Agent shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. |
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Non-Reliance: |
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Applicable. |
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Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging Activities: |
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Applicable. |
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Additional Acknowledgements: |
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Applicable. |
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Schedule Provisions: |
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Specified Entity: |
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In relation to both Seller and Counterparty for the purpose of: |
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Section 5(a)(v), Not Applicable |
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Section 5(a)(vi), Not Applicable |
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Section 5(a)(vii), Not Applicable |
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Cross-Default: |
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The “Cross-Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party. |
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Credit Event Upon Merger: |
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The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(v) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party. |
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Automatic Early Termination: |
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The “Automatic Early Termination” of Section 6(a) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party. |
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Other Events of Early Termination |
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Definitions or in the ISDA Form, if the Business Combination does not close and the Shares are redeemed pursuant to a SPAC liquidation and Reimbursement, this Transaction shall automatically terminate as of the time when redemptions are first effected without any amounts or other obligations being owed by either party to the other hereunder except for the payment by Counterparty to Seller of any amounts owing pursuant to “Reimbursement of Legal Fees and Other Expenses” herein. |
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Termination Currency: |
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United States Dollars. |
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Additional Termination Events: |
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Will apply to Seller. The occurrence of any of the following events, and only these events, shall constitute an Additional Termination Event in respect of which Seller shall be the Affected Party. |
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(a) |
The BCA is terminated pursuant to its terms prior to the closing of the Business Combination; |
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(b) |
A material and uncured breach of the PIPE Subscription Agreement by Counterparty or Target; |
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(c) |
If it is, or, as a consequence of a change in law, regulation or interpretation, it becomes or will become, unlawful for the Seller to perform any of its obligations contemplated by the Transaction; and |
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Definitions or in the ISDA Form, if an Early Termination Date is designated as a result of an Additional Termination Event, then this Transaction will terminate as of such Early Termination Date without any amounts or other obligations being owed by either party to the other hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Counterparty’s obligations set forth under the captions, “Reimbursement of Legal Fees and Other Expenses,” and “Other Provisions — (d) Indemnification” shall survive any termination due to the occurrence of either of the foregoing Additional Termination Events. |
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Governing Law: |
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New York law (without reference to choice of law doctrine other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law). |
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Credit Support Provider: |
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With respect to Seller and Counterparty, None. |
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Local Business Days: |
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Seller specifies the following places for the purposes of the definition of Local Business Day as it applies to it: New York. Counterparty specifies the following places for the purposes of the definition of Local Business Day as it applies to it: New York. |
Representations, Warranties and Covenants
1. |
Each of Counterparty, Target and Seller represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the other as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction) as follows. |
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(a) |
Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction. |
(b) |
Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction. |
(c) |
Non-Public Information. It is in compliance with Section 10(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). |
(d) |
Tender Offer Rules. Counterparty, Target and Seller each acknowledge that the Transaction has been structured, and all activity in connection with the Transaction has been undertaken to comply with the requirements of all tender offer regulations applicable to the Business Combination, including Rule 14e-5 under the Exchange Act. |
(e) |
Authorization. The Transaction, including this Confirmation, has been entered into pursuant to authority granted by its board of directors or other governing authority. It has no internal policy, whether written or oral, that would prohibit it from entering into any aspect of the Transaction, including, but not limited to, the purchase of Shares to be made in connection therewith. |
(f) |
Enforceability. The Transaction, including the Confirmation, when executed and delivered by each of the parties, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of each such party, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, or (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies. |
(g) |
Compliance with Other Instruments and Law. The execution, delivery and performance of this Transaction, including the Confirmation, and the consummation of the Transaction, will not result in any violation or default (i) of any provisions of its organizational documents, (ii) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) under any note, indenture or mortgage to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (iv) under any lease, agreement, contract or purchase order to which it is a party or by which it is bound or (v) of any provision of any applicable federal or state statute, rule or regulation, in each case (other than clause (i)), which would have a material adverse effect on it or its ability to consummate the Transaction. |
(h) |
Affiliate Status. It is the intention of the parties hereto that Seller shall not be an “affiliate” (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of Target or Counterparty, including PNAC or Pubco, following the closing of the Business Combination, as a result of the transactions contemplated hereunder. |
2. |
Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, Seller as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction, that: |
(a) |
Total Assets. PNAC has as of the date hereof, and expects to have as of the closing of the Business Combination, after giving effect to this Transaction and other contemplated transactions, total assets of at least USD $5,000,001, which are, for the avoidance of doubt, measured on a consolidated basis. Additionally, Counterparty shall publicly disclose on a Form 8-K prior to the closing of the Business Combination the cash balance of the Trust Account available to pay redemptions, as of the business day immediately prior to the date of filing of such Form 8-K. |
(b) |
Non-Reliance. Without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, Counterparty acknowledges that Seller is not making any representations or warranties or taking any position or expressing any view with respect to the treatment of the Transaction under any accounting standards. |
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(c) |
Solvency. Counterparty is, and shall be as of the date of any payment or delivery by Counterparty under the Transaction, solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages. Prior debts (exclusive of any expenses, payables or liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business) of Target and Counterparty have either been or will be satisfied or will be converted to shares of Counterparty as of or immediately after the Closing Date Counterparty: (i) has not engaged in and will not engage in any business or transaction after which the property remaining with it will be unreasonably small in relation to its business (ii) has not incurred and will not incur debts (exclusive of any expenses, payables or liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business), and (iii) as a result of entering into and performing its obligations under the Transaction, (a) it has not violated and will not violate any relevant state law provision applicable to the acquisition or redemption by an issuer of its own securities and (b) Counterparty would not be nor would it be rendered “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable local insolvency regime). |
(d) |
Public Reports. As of the Trade Date, Counterparty is in material compliance with its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and all reports and other documents filed by Counterparty with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, when considered as a whole (with the most recent such reports and documents deemed to amend inconsistent statements contained in any earlier such reports and documents), do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. |
(e) |
No Distribution. Except with respect to any Shares that may be offered and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to facilitate a distribution of the Shares (or any security that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for Shares, or whose value under its terms may in whole or in significant part be determined by the value of the Shares) or in connection with any future issuance of securities. |
(f) |
SEC Documents. The Counterparty shall comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s guidance, including Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation No. 166.01, for all relevant disclosure in connection with this Confirmation and the Transaction, and will not file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any Form 8-K (or Form 6-K (if applicable), Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or Form F-4 (if applicable)), including any post-effective amendment thereof, proxy statement, or other document that includes any disclosure regarding this Confirmation or the Transaction without consulting with and reasonably considering any comments received from Seller, provided that, no consultation shall be required with respect to any subsequent disclosures that are substantially similar to prior disclosures by Counterparty that were reviewed by Seller. |
(g) |
Waiver. The Counterparty shall waive any violation of its “bulldog clause,” as set forth in Section 9.2(c) of the Certificate of Incorporation, and any other restrictions that would be caused by Seller entering into this Transaction. |
(h) |
Disclosure. The Counterparty agrees to comply with applicable SEC guidance in respect of disclosure and the Counterparty shall preview with Seller all public disclosure relating to the Transaction and shall consult with Seller to ensure that such public disclosure, including the press release, Form 8-K or other filing that announces the Transaction adequately discloses the material terms and conditions of the Transaction and all material non-public information disclosed to Seller in connection with the Transaction, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Seller, and shall be publicly filed no later than two Local Business Days prior to the Closing Date. |
(i) |
Listing. The Counterparty agrees to use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Pubco Shares on a national securities exchange; provided that if the Pubco Shares cease to be listed on a national securities exchange or upon the filing of a Form 25 (and, in each case, if the Counterparty fails to relist on such national securities exchange or list on a different national securities exchange within 10 calendar days) (following such 10 calendar day period, each a “Delisting Event”), Seller may accelerate the Valuation Date under this Confirmation by delivering notice to the Counterparty and shall be entitled to the Legal Fees and Other Expenses, which shall be due and payable immediately following the Valuation Date. |
(j) |
Regulatory Filings. Counterparty covenants that it will make all regulatory filings that it is required by law or regulation to make with respect to the Transaction. |
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(k) |
Regulation M and Approvals. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date and agrees and covenants on behalf of itself and Target that it and Target will not be on any date Seller is purchasing shares that may be included in a Pricing Date Notice, engaged or engaging in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Exchange Act, of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not and shall cause Target to not, until the second scheduled trading day immediately following dates referenced in the preceding sentence, engage in any such distribution. |
(l) |
Investment Company Act. It is not and, after giving effect to the Transaction, will not be required to register as an “investment company” under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
(m) |
Exclusivity. Counterparty and Target shall not enter into, negotiate or exchange terms with any other party for any other Share Forward Transaction or any other similar arrangement during the term of this Transaction without the prior written consent of Seller. |
(n) |
Lock-Up Provision. Counterparty covenants that the Lock-Up Agreement substantially in the form described in the Definitive Proxy Statement Prospectus dated as of July 28, 2023 which is to be entered into by certain initial shareholders of each of PNAC and Target, PNAC and Target parties pursuant to the BCA , providing for the restriction of the transfer of Shares of Counterparty by certain parties specified therein will be in effect as of the Closing Date and at all times prior to the Valuation Date, subject to exceptions stated in such Lock-Up Agreement. For the sake of clarity, the shares purchased pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreement shall not be subject to any lock-up. |
3. |
Seller represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, Counterparty and Target as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction, that: |
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(a) |
Regulatory Filings. Seller will make all regulatory filings that it is required by law or regulation to make with respect to the Transaction including, without limitation, as may be required by Section 13 or Section 16 (if applicable) under the Exchange Act and, assuming the accuracy of Counterparty’s Repurchase Notices (as described under “Repurchase Notices” below) any sales of the Recycled Shares and the Additional Shares will be in compliance therewith. |
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(b) |
Eligible Contract Participant. Seller is an “eligible contract participant” under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1a(18)) and CFTC regulations (17 CFR § 1.3). |
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(c) |
Tax Characterization. Seller shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization, except to the extent otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law. |
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(d) |
Private Placement. Seller (i) is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act. |
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(e) |
Shorting. Seller agrees not to effect any Short Sales in respect of the Shares prior to the earlier of (i) the Maturity Date and (ii) the cancellation of the Transaction. “Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act. |
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Transactions by Seller in the Shares
(a) |
Seller hereby waives the redemption rights (“Redemption Rights”) set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the Business Combination with respect to the Recycled Shares and the Additional Shares only during the term of this Confirmation. Subject to any restrictions set forth in this Confirmation, Seller may sell or otherwise transfer, loan or dispose of any of the Shares or any other shares or securities of the Counterparty in one or more public or private transactions at any time. Any Recycled Shares that are not Shortfall Sale Shares and Additional Shares sold by Seller during the term of the Transaction and included on an OET Notice will cease to be included in the Number of Shares. |
(b) |
Unless specified in an OET Notice (or Shortfall Sale Notice pursuant to the section entitled Shortfall Sales), no sale of Shares by Seller shall terminate all or any portion of this Confirmation and provided that Seller complies with all of its other obligations hereunder nothing contained herein shall limit any of Seller’s purchases and sales of Shares. |
Trust Account Waiver
Seller hereby waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind they have or may have during the term of this Confirmation, in or to any monies held in the Counterparty’s Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account in each case, as a result of, or arising out of, this Transaction; provided, however, that nothing herein shall (x) serve to limit or prohibit Seller’s right to pursue a claim against the Counterparty for legal relief against assets held outside the Trust Account, for specific performance or other equitable relief, (y) serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Seller may have in the future against the Counterparty’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any funds that have been released from the Trust Account and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds), (z) be deemed to limit Seller’s right, title, interest or claim to the Trust Account by virtue of such Seller’s record or beneficial ownership of securities of the Counterparty acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Transaction or (aa) serve to limit Seller’s redemption right with respect to any such securities of the Seller other than during the term of the Confirmation.
No Arrangements
Seller, Counterparty and Target each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between or among Seller, Counterparty and Target with respect to any Shares or the Counterparty or Target, other than those set forth herein; (ii) Seller may hedge its risk under the Transaction in any way Seller determines (that does not otherwise violate the terms of this Confirmation), provided that Seller has no obligation to hedge with the purchase, sale or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty and Target will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty and Target will not seek to influence Seller with respect to the voting or disposition of any Shares.
Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act
In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (“WSTAA”), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either party’s otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the ISDA Form, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the ISDA Form.
Address for Notices
Notice to Seller:
Meteora Capital, LLC
1200 N Federal Hwy, Ste 200
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Email: notices@meteoracapital.com
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Notice to Counterparty:
Prime Number Acquisition I Corp.
1129 Northern Blvd., Suite 404
Manhasset, NY 11030
Attn: Dongfeng Wang, CEO
Email: 161160@gmail.com
With a copy to:
Robinson & Cole LLP
666 Third Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attn: Arila E. Zhou
Email: azhou@rec.om
Following the Closing of the Business Combination:
NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD.
#04-06 SGX Centre 2, Singapore
Attention: Kenneth Lim
Email: kenneth.lim@3dom.co.jp
Other Provisions.
(a) |
Rule 10b-5. |
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(i) |
Counterparty represents and warrants to Seller that Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such securities or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act, and Counterparty represents and warrants to Seller that Counterparty has not entered into or altered, and agrees that Counterparty will not enter into or alter, any corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the Shares. |
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(ii) |
Counterparty agrees that it will not seek to control or influence Seller’s decision to make any “purchases or sales” under the Transaction, including, without limitation, Seller’s decision to enter into any hedging transactions. Counterparty represents and warrants that it has consulted with its own advisors as to the legal aspects of its adoption and implementation of this Confirmation and the Transaction under the federal securities laws, including without limitation, the prohibitions on manipulative and deceptive devices under the Exchange Act. |
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(iii) |
Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that any amendment, modification, waiver or termination of this Confirmation must be effected in accordance with the requirements for the amendment or termination of a written trading plan for trading securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that any such amendment, modification, waiver or termination shall be made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with the federal securities laws, including without limitation the prohibition on manipulative and deceptive devises under the Exchange Act and no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be made at any time at which Counterparty or any officer, director, manager or similar person of Counterparty is aware of any material non-public information regarding Counterparty or the Shares. |
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(b) |
Repurchase Notices. Counterparty shall, on any day on which Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares (other than in connection with a Counterparty equity compensation program (e.g., to fund taxes in connection with vested RSUs)), promptly give Seller a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”), if following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares as determined on such day is (i) less than the number of Shares outstanding that would result in the percentage of total Shares outstanding represented by the number of Shares underlying the Transaction increasing by 0.10% (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than the number of Shares that would need to be repurchased to result in the percentage of total Shares outstanding represented by the number of Shares underlying the Transaction increasing by a further 0.10% less than the number of Shares included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice; provided that Counterparty agrees that this information does not constitute material non-public information; provided further if this information shall be material non-public information, it shall publicly disclosed immediately. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all losses (including losses relating to Seller’s hedging activities as a consequence of remaining or becoming a Section 16 “insider” following the closing of the Business Combination, including without limitation, any forbearance from hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person may become subject to, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Seller with a Repurchase Notice on the day and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within thirty days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable and documented legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, Counterparty has no indemnification or other obligations with respect to Seller becoming a Section 16 “insider” prior to the closing of the Business Combination. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Seller with a Repurchase Notice in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction. |
(c) |
Transfer or Assignment. The rights and duties under this Confirmation may not be transferred or assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, subject to the immediately following sentence. If at any time following the closing of the Business Combination at which (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds 9.9%, or (B) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit, if any applies (any such condition described in clause (A) or (B), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Seller is unable to effect a transfer or assignment of a portion of the Transaction to a third party on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Seller and within a time period reasonably acceptable to Seller such that no Excess Ownership Position exists, then Seller may designate any Local Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”), such that following such partial termination no Excess Ownership Position exists. In the event that Seller so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction, a portion of the Shares with respect to the Transaction shall be delivered to Counterparty as if the Early Termination Date was the Valuation Date in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Shares equal to the number of Shares underlying the Terminated Portion. The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, as determined by Seller, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Seller and each person subject to aggregation of Shares with Seller under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder and all persons who may form a “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act) with Seller directly or indirectly beneficially own (as defined under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder) (the “Seller Group” ) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. |
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The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Seller and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Seller and any group (however designated) of which Seller is a member (Seller or any such person or group, a “Seller Person”) under any law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Seller in its sole discretion.
The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares that could give rise to reporting (other than on Schedule 13D or 13G) or registration obligations or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Seller Person, or could result in an adverse effect on a Seller Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Seller in its sole discretion, minus (B) 0.1% of the number of Shares outstanding. |
(d) |
Indemnification. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all losses (but not including financial losses to an Indemnified Person relating to the economic terms of the Transaction provided that the Counterparty performs its obligations under this Confirmation in accordance with its terms), claims, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Person arising out of, in connection with, or relating to, and to reimburse, within thirty days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Indemnified Parties and the Counterparty or between any of the Indemnified Parties and any third party, or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon the Transaction, including the execution or delivery of this Confirmation, the performance by Counterparty of its obligations under the Transaction, any material breach of any covenant, representation or warranty made by Counterparty or Target in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form, regulatory filings and submissions made by or on behalf of the Counterparty related to the Transaction (other than as relates to any information provided in writing by or on behalf of Seller or its affiliates), or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Registration Statement or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, press release, filings or other document, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Counterparty will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is related to the manner in which Seller sells, or arising out of any sales by Seller of, any Shares, including the Recycled Shares and the Additional Shares or found in a nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from Seller’s material breach of any covenant, representation or other obligation in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form or from Seller’s willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in performing the services that are subject of the Transaction. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Person or insufficient to hold harmless any Indemnified Person, then Counterparty shall contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Person as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability. In addition (and in addition to any other Reimbursement of Legal Fees and other Expenses contemplated by this Confirmation), Counterparty will reimburse any Indemnified Person for all reasonable, out-of-pocket, expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense or settlement of any pending or threatened claim or any action, suit or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Person is a party thereto and whether or not such claim, action, suit or proceeding is initiated or brought by or on behalf of Counterparty. Counterparty also agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability to Counterparty or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of Counterparty in connection with or as a result of any matter referred to in this Confirmation except to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by Counterparty result from such Indemnified Person’s breach of any covenant, representation or other obligation in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form or from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Indemnified Person or breach of any U.S. federal or state securities laws or the rules, regulations or applicable interpretations of the Commission. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the completion of the Transaction contemplated by this Confirmation and any assignment and/or delegation of the Transaction made pursuant to the ISDA Form or this Confirmation shall inure to the benefit of any permitted assignee of Seller. |
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(e) |
Amendments to Equity Definitions. |
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(i) |
Section 12.6(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) deleting from the fourth line thereof the word “or” after the word “official” and inserting a comma therefor, and (ii) deleting the semi-colon at the end of subsection (B) thereof and inserting the following words therefor “or (C) the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1) through (9) of the ISDA Form with respect to that Issuer.”; and |
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(ii) |
Section 12.6(c)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the words “the Transaction will be cancelled,” in the first line with the words “Seller will have the right, which it must exercise or refrain from exercising, as applicable, in good faith acting in a commercially reasonable manner, to cancel the Transaction,”; |
(f) |
Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding relating to the Transaction. Each party (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of either party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of such a suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into the Transaction, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications provided herein. |
(g) |
Attorney and Other Fees. Subject to clause (d) Indemnification (above), in the event of any legal action initiated by any party arising under or out of, in connection with or in respect of, this Confirmation or the Transaction, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in such action, as determined and fixed by the court. |
(h) |
Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. |
(i) |
Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be (a) a “securities contract” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, in which case each payment and delivery made pursuant to the Transaction is a “termination value,” “payment amount” or “other transfer obligation” within the meaning of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code and a “settlement payment,” within the meaning of Section 546 of the Bankruptcy Code, and (b) a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, with respect to which each payment and delivery hereunder or in connection herewith is a “termination value,” “payment amount” or “other transfer obligation” within the meaning of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code and a “transfer,” as such term is defined in Section 101(54) of the Bankruptcy Code and a “payment or other transfer of property” within the meaning of Sections 362 and 546 of the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate, terminate and accelerate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the ISDA Form with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to otherwise constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code. |
(j) |
Process Agent. For the purposes of Section 13(c) of the ISDA Form: |
Seller appoints as its Process Agent: None
Counterparty appoints as its Process Agent: None.
[Signature page follows]
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Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing a copy of this Confirmation and returning it to us at your earliest convenience.
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Very truly yours, |
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METEORA CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP; |
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By: |
/s/ Vikas Mittal |
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Name: Vikas Mittal |
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Title: CIO/Managing Member of GP |
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Agreed and accepted by: |
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PRIME NUMBER ACQUISITION I CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ Dongfeng Wang |
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Name: Dongfeng Wang |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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NOCO-NOCO PTE. LTD. |
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By: |
/s/ Masataka Matsumura |
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Name: Masataka Matsumura |
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Title: Director and CEO |
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(Signature Page to Forward Share Purchase Agreement)
SCHEDULE A
FORM OF PRICING DATE NOTICE
Date: [•], 2023
To: Prime Number Acquisition I Corp. (“Counterparty”)
Address:
Phone:
From: Meteora Capital Partners, LP, Meteora Select Trading Opportunities Master, LP and Meteora Strategic Capital, LLC (collectively, “Seller”)
Re: OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction
1. This Pricing Date Notice supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Confirmation Re: OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction dated as of [•] (the “Confirmation”) between Counterparty and Seller, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Confirmation govern this Pricing Date Notice except as expressly modified below.
2. The purpose of this Pricing Date Notice is to confirm certain terms and conditions of the Transaction entered into between Seller and Counterparty pursuant to the Confirmation.
Pricing Date: [•], 2023
Number of Recycled Shares: [•]
Number of Additional Shares: [•]
Number of Shares: [•]
Exhibit 12.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Masataka Matsumura, certify that:
Date: |
November 14, 2023 |
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By: |
/s/ Masataka Matsumura |
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Name: |
Masataka Matsumura |
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Title: |
Director and Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 12.2
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Ng Wee Kiat, certify that:
Date: |
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November 14 |
, 2023 |
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By: |
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/s/ Ng Wee Kiat |
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Name: |
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Ng Wee Kiat |
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Title: |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 13.1
Certification by the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of noco-noco Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Masataka Matsumura, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
Date: |
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November 14 |
, 2023 |
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By: |
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/s/ Masataka Matsumura |
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Name: |
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Masataka Matsumura |
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Title: |
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Director and Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 13.2
Certification by the Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of noco-noco Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ng Wee Kiat, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
Date: |
November 14, 2023 |
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By: |
/s/ Ng Wee Kiat |
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Name: |
Ng Wee Kiat |
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Title: |
Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 15.1
noco-noco Inc. 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay Grand Cayman, KY1-9009 Cayman Islands |
D |
+852 3656 6054/ +852 3656 6061 |
E |
nathan.powell@ogier.com/ florence.chan@ogier.com |
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Reference: FYC/ACG/504747.00002 |
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14 November 2023 |
Dear Sir or Madam,
noco-noco Inc. (the Company) - Annual Report on Form 20-F
We have acted as legal advisors as to the laws of the Cayman Islands to the Company in connection with the filing by the Company of an annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 30 June 2023 (the Annual Report) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
We confirm that we do not have any objections with the Cayman Islands taxation advice under the heading “10.E. Taxation” sub-heading “Cayman Islands Tax Considerations” and the Cayman Islands law descriptions in Exhibit 2.3 “Description of Securities Registered in Registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934” and elsewhere in the Annual Report.
Yours faithfully |
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/s/ Ogier |
Ogier |
Ogier British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and Luxembourg practitioners
Floor 11 Central Tower 28 Queen's Road Central Central Hong Kong
T +852 3656 6000 F +852 3656 6001 ogier.com |
Partners Nicholas Plowman Nathan Powell Anthony Oakes Oliver Payne Kate Hodson David Nelson Michael Snape Justin Davis |
Florence Chan Lin Han Cecilia Li Rachel Huang Richard Bennett James Bergstrom Marcus Leese |
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HKGLAW-6960250-1 |
Exhibit 15.2
14 November 2023
Our ref:YXZ:34568
noco-noco Inc.
89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay
Grand Cayman, KY1-9009
Cayman Islands
By email only
Dear Sir or Madam,
RE: NOCO-NOCO INC. (“COMPANY”) - ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 20-F
We have acted as legal advisors as to the laws of Australia in connection with the filing by the Company of an annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 30 June 2023 (the “Annual Report”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
We confirm that we do not have any objections with the general descriptions of Australian and Papua New Guinea law under the heading “Government Regulations”, sub-heading “Australia” and “PNG” and elsewhere in the Annual Report.
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.
Yours faithfully, |
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/s/ Greenhalgh Pickard |
Greenhalgh Pickard |
For queries regarding this matter, please contact us
on 07 5444 1022 or info@greenhalghpickard.com.au
Individual liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
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Exhibit 15.3 |
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Our Ref: 2023-00005 |
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BY EMAIL ONLY |
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14 November 2023 |
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL |
NOCO-NOCO INC. (the “Company”) 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay Grand Cayman, KY1-9009 Cayman Islands Attention: Board of Directors |
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Dear Sirs
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMPANY ON FORM 20-F – LETTER OF CONSENT |
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1. |
We have acted as legal advisors as to the laws of the Republic of Singapore to the Company in connection with the filing by the Company of an annual report on Form 20-F, for the year ended 30 June 2023 (the “Annual Report”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. |
2. |
We confirm that we do not have any objections with the general descriptions of Singapore law under the heading “Government Regulations” and sub-heading “Singapore” in the Annual Report. |
3. |
We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report. |
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Yours faithfully, |
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/s/ Icon Law LLC |
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Icon Law LLC |
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Icon Law LLC (UEN: 202233399R) is a law corporation with limited liability |
and is a member of the ZICO Law network. |