Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
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Risk Factors - LEAI
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Risks Related to Our Business
There is substantial doubt on our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued a going concern qualification as part of its audit report that accompanies our 2022 audited financial statements included herein. We expect that as, if and when we have our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 audited, such auditor would similarly issue a going concern qualification as part of its audit report that would accompany such financial statements. Accordingly, we have included a similar going concern qualification in our unaudited and unreviewed financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As stated in the notes to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and our unaudited and unreviewed financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we have a working capital deficit and have accumulated a significant deficit. As stated in the notes to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, we have a working capital deficit and have accumulated a significant deficit. Our continued existence is dependent upon our ability to continue to execute our operating plan and to obtain additional debt or equity financing. We do not have an established source of funds sufficient to cover operating costs and accordingly, there can be no assurance that the necessary debt or equity financing will be available, or will be available on terms acceptable to us, in which case we may be unable to meet our obligations or fully implement our business plan, if at all. Additionally, should we be unable to realize our assets and discharge our liabilities in the normal course of business, the net realizable value of our assets may be materially less than the amounts recorded in our financial statements.
The Company is attempting to implement a new business strategy and effect a Nasdaq uplisting, and there can be no assurances that these efforts will be successful.
We previously announced several strategic initiatives with the aim of expanding our customer base, launching real estate SPAC investment vehicles, improving our social media presence, entering into strategic relationships and spinning off our existing business, among other things. However, these initiatives are ongoing and there can be no assurance that any of these efforts will be successful or if any of them are in fact successful, that it or they will result in greater revenue, profitability, trading volume, stock price and/or other benefit to the Company or its stockholders. Several of the initiatives previously announced are being undertaken through the Company’s affiliate, Legacy Live Inc. However, several of the strategic initiatives have been temporarily suspended, are evolving in focus and scope, or are delayed beyond the initially anticipated completion dates, in some cases as a result of the lack of funds.
The concentration of our business under one brand or a small number of brands could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operation if we were unable to conduct business under such brands.
The alteration, or termination of any brand development or the suspension or termination of sales activities thereunder, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Reliance on a Legacy Education Alliance focused branding strategy could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations if consumer acceptance of such brand is insufficient to attract new customers.
Historically, our branding strategy has relied on using the goodwill and notoriety associated with third-party branding licensors, such as Rich Dad, Tarek El Moussa, and others, to attract new customers. Any shift to a branding strategy that focuses on the Company as a brand, rather than on a third party, could adversely affect our business if consumer acceptance of such proprietary brand is insufficient to drive sales.
The termination of our license agreement to Rich Dad Education brand has materially adversely impacted our business, financial condition and results of operations, given the high concentration of sales from course offerings under Rich Dad Education brand.
Our Rich Dad® Education real estate and financial market course offerings had no revenue in 2023 and we do not expect there to be any further material revenue from that brand. Unless we are able to find revenue streams to replace those course offerings, we may not be able to successfully grow our operations, which would have a material ongoing effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our 2013 License Agreement with Rich Dad®, as amended, expired on September 30, 2019. Notwithstanding the expiration of the License Agreement, the Company may continue to use Licensed Intellectual Property, as defined in the License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Rich Dad trademark and stylized logo, for the purpose of honoring and fulfilling orders by its customers in existence as of the date of the expiration of the Agreement, although we do not expect this to result in material revenues to the Company.
The termination of any of our merchant processor agreements and/or material changes to the terms and conditions of these agreements would materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, given the high concentration of sales from course offerings procured by our customers using credit cards.
A significant percentage of our sales are processed through credit card transactions, and we are dependent on our merchant processor relationships to facilitate these transactions under favorable terms. Although we generally have been able to renew or extend the terms of contractual arrangements with third parties merchant processors on acceptable terms, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so in the future. Interruptions in service, or the imposition of reserve accounts in amounts not acceptable to us, could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity. In addition, if any of these services providers were to stop providing services to us on acceptable terms, we may be unable to procure alternatives from other third parties in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms, or at all. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The inability of our customers to finance the purchase of our products through credit cards or third-party financing would materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our customers rely on financing, whether through credit cards or third-party financing, to purchase our products. Any limitation on the ability of our customers to obtain access to credit may impact our customers’ ability to purchase our products. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The ability of any of our merchant processors to continue to operate and refund our merchant reserves pursuant to the terms of the agreements would materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our merchant processors withhold a percentage of our sales as part of our restricted cash reserves. Release of the restricted cash is at the sole discretion of the merchant processor. Although we generally have been able to obtain releases from time to time, and pursuant to the terms of the merchant processor agreement, there can be no assurances that we will be able to do so in the future if the merchant processor’s ability to continue to operate becomes doubtful, including, but not limited to, illiquidity or fraud. This could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Our management has identified internal control deficiencies, which our management believe constitute material weaknesses.
Our management has determined that we presently do not have an internal control system or procedures that are effective and may be relied upon in connection with our financial reporting. The weaknesses in our internal control system that were identified by our management generally include weakness that present a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be identified, prevented, or detected on a timely basis, and specifically include:
● | Financial Reporting Systems: The weakness in our internal control system identified by our management relate to the implementation of the replacement of Netsuite system, which has not yet been fully implemented. | |
● | The Company not having a dedicated Chief Financial Officer, or auditors to review and audit the Company’s financial statements |
If we fail to effectively remediate any of these material weaknesses or other material weaknesses or deficiencies in our control environment that may be identified in the future, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or report them within the time frames required by law or exchange regulations, to the extent applicable, which would have a negative impact on us and our share price.
Our cash flows from operations have not been restored to pre-pandemic sales. If this trend were to continue in the future, it could impair our ability to fund our working capital needs and adversely affect our financial condition.
Our management currently projects that our available cash balances will not be sufficient to maintain our operations during 2024. In addition, when considering all of the applicable operational and external risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to cash generated from new and ongoing business initiatives, our ability to effectively execute our strategies, relationships with our credit card processors, potential claims against the Company related to the insolvency of certain its foreign subsidiaries, and potential current and future litigation matters, we believe that we may not be adequately capitalized. We may seek to obtain additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt, which may dilute the equity holdings of our current investors. In addition, we may seek to borrow additional capital from institutional and commercial banks or other sources to fund future operations on terms that may include restrictive covenants, liens on assets, high effective interest rates, and repayment provisions that reduce our cash resources and limit future access to capital markets. We do not currently have any commitments for future external funding. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by the economic environment. If we cannot generate the required cash to sustain operations or obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, we will need to make further revisions to our business plan, sell or liquidate assets, or limit or discontinue some or all of our operations.
Our ability to fulfill debt obligations could adversely affect working capital needs and financial condition.
If the business is unable to meet cash flow demands to fulfill debt obligations timely, there is a risk of default on the debt to creditors. Outstanding obligations to ABC Impact I, LLC, LTP, and GLD are currently in default. The Company anticipates negotiating forbearance agreements with its creditors, but can give no assurance of successfully forbearing these obligations at all or on terms beneficial to the Company.
Operations outside the United States would subject us to additional risks inherent in international operations.
Traditionally, we have operated in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa and other international markets in addition to our U.S. operations. However, currently, the Company has no operations outside of the United States, but it is anticipated that the Company will return to foreign operations and will be subject to these risks in the future. As a result, we may face risks that are inherent in international operations, including:
● | Complexity of operations across borders, including the ability to identify and obtain staff, sales speakers, trainers and suppliers; |
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If we are unable to successfully manage these and other factors, our business could be adversely affected, and our financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
Failure to comply with laws, regulations and policies, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other applicable anti-corruption legislation, could result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to regulation under a wide variety of U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. laws, regulations and policies, including anti-corruption laws and export-import compliance and trade laws, and data protection due to our global operations. In particular, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies, their agents, consultants and other business partners from making improper payments to government officials or other persons (i.e., commercial bribery) for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or other improper advantage. They also impose recordkeeping and internal control provisions on companies such as ours. We operate and/or conduct business in some parts of the world, such as Hong Kong, that are recognized as having governmental and commercial corruption and in such countries, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Under some circumstances, a parent company may be civilly and criminally liable for bribes paid by a subsidiary. We cannot assure you that our internal control policies and procedures have protected us, or will protect us, from unlawful conduct of our employees, agents, consultants, and other business partners. In the event that we believe or have reason to believe that violations may have occurred, including without limitation violations of anti-corruption laws, we may be required to investigate and/or have outside counsel investigate the relevant facts and circumstances, which can be expensive and require significant time and attention from senior management. Violation may result in substantial civil and/or criminal fines, disgorgement of profits, sanctions and penalties, debarment from future work with governments, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and imprisonment of the individuals involved. As a result, any such violations may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Any of these impacts could have a material, adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Uncertain economic conditions and other changes experienced by our customers, including the willingness to trade or invest in securities or real estate, could influence their willingness to spend their discretionary income on our course offerings and products, and could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Uncertain economic conditions may affect our customers’ discretionary income, access to credit and ability and willingness to purchase our courses offerings and products. Economic conditions and consumer spending are influenced by a wide range of factors that are beyond our control. These conditions include but are not limited to:
● | Demand for our course offerings and related products; |
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● | Conditions in the securities and investment markets; |
Any decreased interest in real estate and/or financial markets investing strategies and techniques in the future could impact our brands. Additionally, a prolonged economic downturn or uncertainty over future economic conditions, could increase these effects on our business. In addition, our ongoing business expansion efforts and related operational changes add to the difficulty and risk of forecasting the timing, magnitude, and direction of operational and financial outcomes with respect to our business.
We have only a limited ability to protect our intellectual property rights, which are important to our success.
Our financial success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our brand names, curriculums, and other proprietary and licensed intellectual property. The existing laws of some countries in which we conduct business might offer only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. To protect our intellectual property, we rely upon a combination of confidentiality policies, nondisclosure, and other contractual arrangements, as well as copyright and trademark laws. The steps we take in this regard may not be adequate to prevent or deter infringement or other misappropriation of our intellectual property, and we might not be able to detect unauthorized use of, or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights, especially in foreign jurisdictions. The loss of proprietary content or the unauthorized use of our intellectual property, including our brand names, may create significant market confusion and result in greater competition, loss of revenue, and adverse publicity.
As a result of limited funding, the Company has limited its legal and IT expenditures, and may be at risk of losing some of its intellectual property, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its operations and financial results.
We face significant competition in our markets.
Our success depends upon our ability to attract customers by providing high-quality courses and training materials, as well as to attract and retain quality trainers to provide those courses. The market for training courses for specific business issues, such as real estate or stock market investing, is intensely competitive. If we are unable to successfully compete, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially harmed. Certain competitors may have access to certain marketing channels or be able to secure alliances with customers and affiliates on more favorable terms, devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns and devote substantially more resources to course development than we can. In addition, it is possible that certain competitors, or potential competitors, could reduce their pricing to levels that would make it difficult for us to compete. Increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, as well as loss of market share and brand recognition. Our success is dependent on our ability to successfully attract customers to programs that they feel will enhance their knowledge and enhance their earning power. Their level of satisfaction with our course offerings affects our reputation as they tell others about their experience. Our business could suffer if we fail to deliver quality programs at acceptable price points.
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In addition, in order to compete effectively in our markets, we may need to change our business in significant ways. For example, to respond to market competition we may change our pricing, product, or service offerings, make key decisions about technology changes or marketing strategies, or acquire additional businesses or technologies. Any of these actions could hurt our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Competitors continually introduce new programs that may compete directly with our offerings that may make our offerings uncompetitive or obsolete. Larger competitors may have superior abilities to compete for customers and skilled professionals, reducing our ability to deliver our quality offerings to our customers.
Laws and regulations can affect the operation of our business and may limit our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions.
Federal, state, and international laws and regulations impact our operations and may limit our ability to obtain authorization to operate in some states or countries. Many federal, state, and international governmental agencies assert authority to regulate providers of investment training programs. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal action instituted by the jurisdictions, including cease and desist and injunctive actions. In the event we are subject to such legal action, our reputation could be harmed and the demand for our course offerings and products could be significantly reduced. We are involved from time to time in routine legal matters incidental to our business, including disputes with students and information requests from state regulatory agencies. Based upon available information, we believe that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Future regulatory changes with respect to the various topics of our courses or the investment techniques we teach, could also impact the content of our course offerings, which in turn, could negatively impact future sales.
Cyber-attacks as well as improper disclosure or control of personal information could result in liability and harm our reputation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We are dependent on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and to communicate among our locations around the world and with our customers. Security breaches of this infrastructure could lead to shutdowns or disruptions of our systems and potential unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. We are also required at times to manage, utilize and store sensitive or confidential customer or employee data. While we take measures to protect the security of, and unauthorized access to, our systems, as well as the privacy of personal and proprietary information, it is possible that our security controls over our systems, as well as other security practices we follow, may not prevent the improper access to or disclosure of personally identifiable or proprietary information. In addition, much of our financial, customer, and employee data resides on third party equipment not within our custody or control such that we cannot prevent the improper access to or disclosure of such data or might be prevented from accessing such data for our own purposes. Any such disclosures or inability to access our proprietary information could harm our reputation and subject us to liability under our contracts and laws that protect personal data, or negatively impact our ability to manage operations resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions and countries in which we provide services.
The European Union’s (“EU”) General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) took effect in May 2018 and requires EU member states to meet new and more stringent requirements regarding the handling of personal data. Failure to meet the GDPR requirements could result in substantial penalties of up to the greater of €20 million or 4% of global annual revenue of the preceding financial year. Additionally, compliance with the GDPR has resulted in increased operational costs to implement new procedures corresponding to new legal rights granted under the law. Although the GDPR applies across the EU without a need for local implementing legislation, local data protection authorities still have the ability to interpret the GDPR through so-called opening clauses, which permit region-specific data protection legislation and have the potential to create inconsistencies on a country-by-country basis.
Our efforts to comply with GDPR and other privacy and data protection laws may impose significant costs and challenges that are likely to increase over time. Our failure to adhere to or successfully implement processes in response to changing regulatory requirements in this area could result in impairment to our reputation in the marketplace and we could incur substantial penalties or litigation related to violation of existing or future data privacy laws and regulations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Currently, the Company has shut down its foreign operations and is not incurring any costs associated with GDPR. These costs are anticipated to return as, if and when the Company restarts its foreign operations.
We are highly dependent on our senior management, high performing sales speakers and course trainers, and if we are not able to retain them or to recruit and retain additional qualified personnel, our business could suffer.
We are highly dependent upon our senior management. With the departure of all of the board members and executives other than Mr. Kostiner, the Company has reduced its operating overhead but does not have an executive team, a full-time CFO or independent directors, to help run and oversee the Company and its operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. However, it is anticipated that the Company will seek to re-introduce independent Board members in the future, which will add additional costs to the Company’s operating budget.
In addition, our business model is predicated on our ability to provide our customers with qualified and experienced trainers, coaches, and mentors. The loss of services of Mr. Kostiner, any future other members of our senior management, or high performing sales speakers or course trainers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may increase our management personnel to obtain certain additional functional capability, including regulatory, sales, business development, e-commerce, and quality assurance and control, either by hiring additional personnel or by outsourcing these functions to qualified third parties. We may not be able to engage these third parties on terms favorable to us. Also, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms given the competition for such personnel among companies that operate in our markets. If we fail to identify, attract, retain and motivate highly skilled personnel, or if we lose current employees or contractors, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We currently do not maintain key man insurance on any member of our senior executive management team.
Our ability to sell and fulfill courses may be affected by public health risks, adverse weather, natural disaster, strikes or other unpredictable or uncontrollable events.
Adverse weather, natural disasters, external labor disruptions, pandemics, and other adverse events may affect our ability to conduct our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, and severe weather or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, blizzards, floods and earthquakes, and other events beyond our control may reduce the ability or willingness of our students to travel to or otherwise attend our events. These events may also disrupt the printing and transportation of the materials used in our direct mail campaigns. Furthermore, postal strikes could occur in the countries where we operate which could delay and reduce delivery of our direct mail marketing materials. Transportation strikes could also occur in the countries where we operate, adversely affecting our ability to conduct business.
Remote working conditions could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has been operating with its entire workforce working remotely. As a result, we may experience different and additional risks, such as decreased worker productivity, supervision, or other factors that could materially adversely impact our business, financial conditions and results of operations. In addition, extended periods of remote working could strain our technology resources and introduce operational risks, including heightened cybersecurity risk. Remote working environments may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking attacks, including phishing and social engineering attempts that seek to exploit the remote working conditions.
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
We do not have an auditor to review or audit our financial statements, which could prevent us from raising capital and could result in amendments or restatements to our financial statements.
On August 28, 2023, the Company received a letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission informing the Company that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) revoked the registration of RAM Associates & Company LLC (“RAM”), the Company’s then independent registered public accounting firm. In connection with the PCAOB’s determination to revoke RAM’s registration, the Company’s Board of Directors formally dismissed RAM as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately.
The Company has not yet identified a replacement auditor. Consequently, the Company has not had any of its financial statements reviewed or audited since the date of dismissal. The Company can give no assurance that the unaudited and unreviewed financial statements filed by the Company since the termination date will not have material changes or require restatements, as, if and when it retains a replacement independent registered public accounting firm. Any such changes or restatements could have a material adverse effect on our stock price. Additionally, the Company’s failure to have audited financial statements for its fiscal years and reviewed financial statements for its fiscal quarters, means the Company is not in compliance with the disclosure requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and prevents the Company from registering its securities for offers and sales under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, thus making it more difficult to raise capital. Such failure could also result in the Company’s common stock being removed from trading on the OTC Market or demoted to a lower level of the OTC Markets, which could adversely affect the Company’s stock price and liquidity.
In the event the Company is not able to raise sufficient capital, the Company may not be in a position to ever retain a replacement independent registered public accounting firm.
We may issue additional shares of common or preferred stock that subordinate your rights and dilute your equity interests.
We need to raise investment capital for us to successfully execute our business strategy and it may be preferable or necessary to issue preferred stock to investors. Preferred stock may grant the holders certain preferential rights in voting, dividends, liquidation or other rights in preference over a company’s common stock.
The issuance by us of common or preferred stock could dilute both the equity interests and the earnings per share of existing holders of our Common Stock. Such dilution may be substantial, depending upon the number of shares issued. The newly authorized shares of preferred stock could also have voting rights superior to our Common Stock, and in such event, would have a dilutive effect on the voting power of our existing stockholders.
Any issuance of common or preferred stock with voting rights could, under certain circumstances, have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us by increasing the number of outstanding shares entitled to vote and by increasing the number of votes required to approve a change in control of us. Shares of voting or convertible common or preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise. Such issuances could therefore deprive our stockholders of benefits that could result from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such shares of common or preferred stock to persons friendly to our Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent managers and directors from office even if such change were to be favorable to stockholders generally.
We do not currently have enough authorized shares of common stock under our charter to meet all of our potential obligations to third parties.
Our Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide for 200,000,000 authorized shares of our common stock. We currently have commitments to third parties, including pursuant to convertible debentures, warrants and options, to issue a number of shares in the aggregate that with the 49,239,875 shares currently outstanding, would result in us issuing more shares than what we have authorized. Accordingly, in order to meet all of such obligations, we will need to amend our charter to increase the authorized shares of our common stock. We can give no assurance that we will obtain the requisite affirmative vote of our shareholders to so amend our charter, in which case we may default under any such obligations to the extent we do not have the authorized shares to issue, which could adversely affect our financial condition and the market for our shares.
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Our Common Stock has a limited trading market, which could affect your ability to sell shares of our Common Stock and the price you may receive for our Common Stock.
Our Common Stock is currently traded in the over-the-counter market and “bid” and “asked” quotations regularly appear on the OTCQB maintained by OTC Markets, Inc. under the symbol “LEAI”. There is limited trading volume in our securities. We cannot predict the extent to which investors’ interest in our Common Stock will provide an active and liquid trading market, which could depress the trading price of our Common Stock and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future. We may be vulnerable to investors taking a “short position” in our Common Stock, which would likely have a depressing effect on the price of our Common Stock and add increased volatility to our trading market. The volatility of the market for our Common Stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. There cannot be any guarantee that an active trading market for our securities will develop or, if such a market does develop, will be sustained. Accordingly, investors must be able to bear the financial risk of losing their entire investment in our Common Stock.
Being an SEC reporting company imposes costs and compliance risks.
Compliance with the periodic reporting requirements required by the SEC consumes a considerable amount of both internal, as well external, resources and represents a significant cost for us. Our management will be required to administer appropriate programs and policies in responding to increased legal, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements, and any failure to do so could lead to the imposition of fines and penalties and harm our business.
In addition, if we are unable to continue to devote adequate funding and the resources needed to maintain such compliance, while continuing our operations, we may be in non-compliance with applicable SEC rules or the securities laws, and be delisted from the OTCQB or other market we may be listed on, which would result in a decrease in or absence of liquidity in our Common Stock, and potentially subject us and our officers and directors to civil, criminal and/or administrative proceedings and cause us to voluntarily file for deregistration of our Common Stock with the Commission.
Future sales of our Common Stock in the public market could lower the price of our Common Stock, dilute your equity interests, and impair our ability to raise funds in future securities offerings.
We may decide to raise additional capital through the sale of our securities or through other instruments both of which could result in the issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock. The issuance by us of Common Stock could dilute both the equity interests and the earnings per share of existing holders of our Common Stock. Such dilution may be substantial, depending upon the number of shares issued. In addition, future issuances of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the then prevailing market price of our Common Stock and could make it more difficult for us to raise funds in the future through the sale of our securities.
In the event we raise capital through a private placement of our Common Stock and/or other securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock, such offering could dilute both the equity interests and the earnings per share of our stockholders. Such dilution may be substantial, depending upon the number of shares issued in any potential private placement.
The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.
The market for our Common Stock is characterized by significant price volatility when compared to seasoned issuers, and we expect that our share price will continue to be more volatile than a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. The volatility in our share price is attributable to a number of factors. First, our shares of Common Stock are sporadically and thinly traded. As a consequence of this lack of liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares could, for example, decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares of our Common Stock are sold on the market without commensurate demand, as compared to a seasoned issuer which could better absorb those sales without adverse impact on its share price. Second, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our limited operating history, and uncertainty of future market acceptance for our potential products. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-averse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a seasoned issuer. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our Common Stock will be at any time, including as to whether our Common Stock will sustain its current market price, or as to what effect the sale of shares or the availability of Common Stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price.
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The market price of our Common Stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors:
In addition, if the market for stock in our industry, or the stock market in general, experience a loss of investor confidence, the market price of our Common Stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause the price of our Common Stock to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and distract our Board of Directors and management.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, and you must rely on increases in the market prices of our Common Stock for returns on your investment.
For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their Common Stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant.
We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions, and you may have difficulty selling shares of our Common Stock.
The Commission has adopted regulations which generally define so-called “penny stocks” as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. Our Common Stock is a “penny stock”, and we are subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, or the Penny Stock Rule. This rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors” (generally, individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouses). For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale. As a result, this rule affects the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and affects the ability of purchasers to sell any of our securities in the secondary market.
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For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require delivery, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the Commission relating to the penny stock market. Disclosure is also required to be made about sales commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stock.
There can be no assurance that our shares of Common Stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any event, even if our Common Stock were exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the Commission the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock if the Commission finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has adopted similar rules that may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock. FINRA rules require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for such customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
18 |
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
As a result of the transition of our business, limited employees and our lack of capital, we do not have any processes for assessing, identifying, and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. Accordingly, we do not have any such processes that have been integrated into our overall risk management system or processes. Additionally we do not engage assessors, consultants, auditors, or other third parties in connection with any such processes, nor do we have processes to oversee and identify such risks from cybersecurity threats associated with its use of any third-party service provider.
We have not had any previous cybersecurity incidents, and we have not, at this time, identified or evaluated any risks from cybersecurity threats that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.
Our Board of Directors, which currently is composed of Barry Kostiner as the sole director, and who is also our sole executive director, has general oversight of the Company’s risk of cybersecurity threats. Mr. Kostiner does not have any particular expertise in assessing or managing cybersecurity threats. The Company has not adopted any processes by which Mr. Kostiner is informed about and monitors the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.
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