Amendment to Registration Statement by Foreign Issuer Form F 1/A
As filed with the
Registration No. 333-282423
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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AMENDMENT NO.1
TO
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
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6411 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(I.R.S. Employer |
Floor 3, Building 6,
Pudong New Area,
Tel: +86 (21) -5089-6502
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive office)
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Tel: (302) 738-6680
(
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Copies to:
Tel: (212) 370-1300
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with
____________
† The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The Selling Shareholder named in this prospectus may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS |
Subject to Completion, DATED |
Up to 3,282,563 Class A Ordinary Shares
Issuable upon Conversion of a Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note
Up to 154,050 Class A Ordinary Shares
Issuable upon Exercise of Warrants
Up to 984,769 Class A Ordinary Shares
Issuable upon Exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant
This prospectus relates to the resale, from time to time, by an institutional investor (the "Investor" or "Selling Shareholder") identified in this prospectus under the caption "Selling Shareholder," of (i) an aggregate of up to 3,282,563 Class A ordinary shares, par value $$0.0001 per share of
We are not selling any securities under this prospectus, and we will not receive proceeds from the sale of our Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder. However, we may receive proceeds from the cash exercise of the Common Warrants, which, if exercised in cash at the current applicable exercise price of (i)
We will pay the expenses of registering the Class A ordinary shares offered by this prospectus, but all selling and other expenses incurred by the Selling Shareholder will be paid by the Selling Shareholder. The Selling Shareholder may sell our Class A ordinary shares offered by this prospectus from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of sale through ordinary brokerage transactions or through any other means described in this prospectus under "Plan of Distribution." The prices at which the Selling Shareholder may sell shares will be determined by the prevailing market price for our Class A ordinary shares or in negotiated transactions.
Our Class A ordinary shares are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol "ZBAO." On
We are both an "emerging growth company" and a "foreign private issuer" as defined under the
We currently have two classes of ordinary shares outstanding: Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. The rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to
twenty votes. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at the option of the holder of such Class B ordinary share at any time, but Class A ordinary shares shall not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to vote of our shareholders, unless otherwise required by law or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC Subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements and we expect that our distribution of earnings or settlement of amounts owed will be done through our PRC Subsidiaries. If any of our PRC Subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us. For a description of factors that may affect the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer cash or assets to us, see" Prospectus Summary - Dividend and Other Distributions or Assets Transfer among Zhibao and Its Subsidiaries" on page 10. See "Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in
Investors are cautioned that we are not a PRC operating company but a
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any Class A ordinary shares, you should carefully read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our Class A ordinary shares under the heading "Risk Factors" beginning on page 21 of this prospectus and "Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
There are significant legal and operational risks associated with having operating structure as a
foreign investment or listing on an
We are both an "emerging growth company" and a "foreign private issuer" as defined under the
Our officers and directors have significant influence over the Company due to their significant shareholding in the Company. Mr.
On
On
Listing Rules"), which came into effect on
Furthermore, as more stringent criteria have been imposed by the
three years. Therefore, it is not subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on
Neither the
The date of this prospectus is [ ], 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND |
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless otherwise indicated, in this prospectus, the following terms shall have the meaning set out below:
"BVI" |
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"China" or the "PRC" |
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"Code" |
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
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"Class A ordinary shares" |
Class A ordinary shares, par value |
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"Class B ordinary shares" |
Class B ordinary shares, par value |
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"Common Warrants" |
Refers to the Class A ordinary shares warrants issued by the Company to the Investor on |
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"Exchange Act" |
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
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"Hong Kong" |
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"Investor" or "Selling Shareholder" |
Refer to |
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"Macau" |
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"mainland China" |
The People's Republic of Mainland China, excluding |
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"Nasdaq" |
Nasdaq Capital Market. |
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"Note" |
Refers to the senior secured 10% original issue discount convertible note in the principal amount of up to |
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"ODI Filings" |
The formalities and filings of overseas direct investment of PRC enterprises, including but not limited to fulfilling the filing, approval or registration procedures in the development and reform authorities, the competent commercial authorities, and foreign exchange administration authorities and competent banks authorized by such authorities. |
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"ordinary shares" |
Ordinary shares, par value |
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"PCAOB" |
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"PRC Subsidiaries" or " |
All references to "PRC Subsidiaries" or " |
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"Pre-Funded Warrants" |
Refers to the pre-funded class A ordinary shares purchase warrants issued by the Company to the Investor on |
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"RMB", "Chinese Yuan" or "Renminbi" |
Legal currency of mainland China. |
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"SEC" |
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"Securities Act" |
The Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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"Shanghai Anyi" |
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"Securities Purchase Agreement" |
Refers to the securities purchase agreement, dated as of |
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"Sunshine Insurance Brokers" |
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"US", "U.S." or "USA" |
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"US$," " |
Legal currency of |
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"WFOE" or "Zhibao China" |
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"Zhibao," "our company," "Company," "we," "us," "our," or "ourselves" |
All references to "Zhibao," "our company," "Company," "we," "us," "our," "ourselves" or similar terms used in this prospectus are to |
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"Zhibao BVI" |
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"Zhibao HK" |
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"Zhibao Labuan Reinsurance" |
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Our reporting currency is the US$. The functional currency of our PRC Subsidiaries is RMB. This prospectus contains conversion of certain RMB amounts into
Numerical figures included in this prospectus may be subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.
For the sake of clarity, this prospectus follows the English naming convention of first name followed by last name, regardless of whether an individual's name is Chinese or English. For example, the name of our Chairman is presented as "Botao Ma", even though, in Chinese,
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Our fiscal year end is
Except where indicated or where the context otherwise requires, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.
We obtained the industry, market and competitive position data in this prospectus from our own internal estimates, surveys, and research as well as from publicly available information, industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties, including, but not limited to, an industry report ("Frost & Sullivan Report") issued in
Our PRC Subsidiaries have proprietary rights to trademarks used in this prospectus that are important to their business, many of which are registered under applicable intellectual property laws. Solely for convenience, some of the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are without the ®, ™ and other similar symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that our PRC Subsidiaries will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.
This prospectus contains additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies' trademarks, service marks or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other person.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights certain information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying shares in this offering. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including our financial statements and related notes and the risks described under "Risk Factors." This summary contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future events. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Overview
We are a leading and high growth InsurTech company primarily engaging in providing digital insurance brokerage services through
2B2C digital embedded insurance refers to our one-stop customized insurance brokerage model conducted through
Our service portfolio through
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to continually iterate and enhance our digital insurance solutions. This iterative process, in addition to continually improving our digital insurance solutions, will keep us abreast of the new trends and customer preferences in the market.
Under our business model,
While embedded insurance brokerage is still at an early stage of development in
Our revenue reached approximately
Our Revenue Model
Our revenue consists of (i) brokerage
Insurance Brokerage refer to the commissions or fees
MGU Service Fees refer to service fees
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Strengths
We believe that the following strengths contribute to
• Innovative Business Model - 2B2C
We are a pioneer and market leader through
•
As of the date of this prospectus, we, through
• Advanced Technology Platform
(i)
(ii) Our various insurance solutions are built and run based on the PaaS. These solutions are delivered to B channels by embedding within the B channels' platforms, including but not limited to WeChat Official Accounts, websites, and insurance modules within Apps. Our end customers may purchase insurance products and have access to insurance services through our embedded insurance solutions on our B channels' website, App, H5 page, or QR codes.
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(iii) The delivery system, developed according to the best practices of digital insurance brokerage services, breaks down our various solutions into workflows, work nodes, automatic resource assignments, and deliverable standards. On the delivery system, business opportunities are segregated into different industries which are automatically mapped to our various solutions. It also allows
• Experienced Management Team with Extensive Expertise in Insurance Industry and
We have an experienced and devoted management team that has helmed the acceleration of our growth and steered our strategic direction. Our management team is passionate about innovation in providing digital insurance solutions to end customers. Our founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Growth Strategies
We intend to grow our business by pursuing the following key strategies through
• Accelerate the Expansion of B Channels
We plan to scale up our business by rapidly expanding the number of B channels. We intend to penetrate new markets, increase market share in existing markets and access a broader range of B channels in
• Expand Our Sales Force
We plan to increase the number of sales teams both in the head office and branch offices. We also plan to develop more independent sales partners who are not directly employed by us or
• Drive Additional Conversions for Existing End Customers - Our 2C Business
Through our B channels, we are accumulating an ever-larger pool of potential end customers. Although the initial customer interaction is related to the specific scenario and sector of the B channel, end customer may have additional needs that have not yet been addressed. For example, a medical insurance end customer might have additional demand for travel, household, or life insurance. We intend to strengthen our to-customer, or 2C business through
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• Upgrade and Enrich Our
Currently we have over 40 proprietary digital insurance solutions on
• Upgrade and Enhance Our PaaS
• Expand the Scale of the MGU business.
• Support our brokerage and MGU services through our subsidiary reinsurance company in Labuan,
In
• M&A Opportunities
There is a fragmented constellation of smaller-scale firms engaged in online insurance agency or brokerage business in
Market Opportunity
Along with the development of the PRC insurance industry and the progress of digital industrial transformation in the PRC in recent years, insurance brokerage service institutions are recognized by more policyholders and insurance companies. According to the Frost & Sullivan Report, the total market size of the Chinese insurance industry in terms of insurance premium grew steadily and is expected to reach approximately
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The convergence of digital technology and changing consumer preferences in the insurance industry give digital insurance brokerage service providers, like us, a competitive advantage as digital technology assists us in connecting end customers through more channels, thus enhancing our operation efficiency. We believe, in the future, the digital insurance brokerage service will take more market share.
In recent years, consumer behaviors have undergone profound changes. Research shows that insurance customers in the internet era pay more attention to product transparency and service experience while demonstrating a strong preference for personalization, customization, and scenario orientation. In addition, millennials (who were generally bobetween the early 1980s and the mid-to-late 1990s) are gradually becoming the leading consumption group of insurance, which are expected to surpass generation X (who is generally bobetween the mid-1960s and the late 1970s) to become the main consumption group within the next decade. The millennials can obtain information through the internet more conveniently and efficiently, and are more receptive to digital insurance and pay more attention to product diversity and personalization, which provide great potential for the development of digital embedded insurance brokerage services.
Our Corporate History and Structure
Zhibao is a
Zhibao China, previously known as
Zhibao BVI, incorporated on
Zhibao HK, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao BVI, is a holding company with no business operations, which, in turn, wholly owns all of the equity interest of Zhibao China or WFOE, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise formed on
Shanghai Anyi was incorporated in
Sunshine Insurance Brokers was incorporated in
Zhibao Labuan Reinsurance was incorporated in Labuan,
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The chart below shows our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus:
For more details regarding our corporate structure, see "Corporate History and Structure" on page 73.
Recent Regulatory Developments in
In recent years, the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and made a number of public statements on the regulation of business operations in
Among other things, the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of
On
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interpretation of these opinions remains unclear at this stage. See "Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in
On
On
Under the New Overseas Listing Rules, a filing-based regulatory system applies to "indirect overseas offerings and listings" of companies in mainland China, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a company in mainland China that operates its main business in mainland China. The New Overseas Listing Rules state that, any post-listing follow-on offering by an issuer in an overseas market, including issuance of shares, convertible notes, exchangeable notes and preferred shares, shall be subject to filing requirement within three business days after the completion of the offering.
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On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the New Overseas Listing Rules and issued the Overseas Listing Notice. Under the Overseas Listing Notice, a company that has already completed overseas listing will be considered as an existing listed company and is not required to make any filing until it conducts a new offering in the future.
Based on our understanding of the rules, we are required to submit the filing report to the CSRC within three business days upon the first closing of the transactions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreements and report share issuance status to the CSRC upon completion of all subsequent closings. On
As of the date of this prospectus, except for the filing and reporting with the CSRC, and the licenses and permissions held by Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries under "Regulatory Permissions", the Company believes it is not required to obtain permission or approval from any other PRC state or local government and has not received any denial to list on the
On
We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in
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operations and rectify any non-compliance, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of mainland China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from any future financings into mainland China or take other actions prohibited from engaging in relevant business or conducting any offering, and these risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless. See "Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in
Dividend and Other Distributions or Assets Transfer among Zhibao and Its Subsidiaries
Zhibao is a holding company with no material operations of its own and does not generate any revenue. It currently conducts substantially all of its operations through its PRC Subsidiaries. We are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC Subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions, and only if we satisfy the applicable government registration and approval requirements.
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC Subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements and our distribution of earnings or settlement of amounts owed will be done through our PRC Subsidiaries. If any of our PRC Subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us.
We have adopted our cash management policy which dictates the purpose, amount and procedure of cash transfers among Zhibao and our subsidiaries. Historically, one PRC operating entity provides financial support for other entities' operations by inter-company loans and they have not experienced difficulties or limitations on their ability to transfer cash between themselves. Prior to our reorganization for purpose of the IPO, cash transfers among our PRC operating entities and their subsidiaries were generally approved by the management of the company providing the funds. After our reorganization, cash transfers among Zhibao and our subsidiaries of less than
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central government and the governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. Further, to the extent cash or assets in our business are in mainland China or
We intend to keep any future earnings to re-invest in and finance the expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate that any cash dividends will be paid or any assets will be transferred in the foreseeable future. As of the date of this prospectus, none of our subsidiaries have made any dividends or distributions to us or our investors, and we have not made any dividends or distributions to our subsidiaries or investors.
Under the laws of the
Current PRC regulations permit our indirect PRC Subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Therefore, under our current corporate structure, we rely on dividend payments or other distributions from our PRC Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders or to service any debt we may incur. Our PRC Subsidiaries generate and retain cash generated from operating activities and re-invest it in our business. If our PRC Subsidiaries incur debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us.
Our PRC Subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends only out of their retained earnings. However, our PRC Subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, after making up for previous year's accumulated losses, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves, until the aggregate amount of such funds reaches 50% of its registered capital. This portion of our PRC Subsidiaries' net assets is prohibited from being distributed to their shareholders as dividends. In addition, our PRC Subsidiaries are also required to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund, although the amount to be set aside, if any, is determined at the discretion of its board of directors. Although the statutory reserves can be used, among other ways, to increase the registered capital and eliminate future losses in excess of retained earnings of the respective companies, the reserve funds are not distributable as cash dividends except in the event of liquidation. See "Item 4. Information on the
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fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and the PRC Subsidiaries' restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us could restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements and have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business."
The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in the PRC incur debt on their own in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments. See "Risk Factors - Risks Related to Doing Business in
Cash dividends, if any, on our ordinary shares will be paid in
Pursuant to the Arrangement between Mainland China and the
Recent Developments
On
On
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association in their entirety and adopted our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which reflect, among other things, the changes to our capital structure. As a result of such changes and the Class A ordinary shares sold in the IPO, Mr.
On
On
On
In consideration for the Investor's funding of the First Closing of First Tranche, on
In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, on
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obligations under the security agreement. In connection with the consummation of the First Closing of First Tranche, the Company paid
On
Summary of Significant Risks Affecting Our Company
Our business is subject to multiple risks and uncertainties, as more fully described in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus. We urge you to read "Risk Factors" beginning on page 21 and this prospectus in full. Our significant risks may be summarized as follows:
Risks Related to Doing Business in
We are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in
• Our Class A ordinary shares may be delisted under the HFCA Act if the PRC adopts positions at any time in the future that would prevent the PCAOB from continuing to inspect or investigate completely accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or
• Changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government or in relations between China and
• Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 24.
• The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. The PRC government may also intervene or influence our operations and this offering at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and our Class A ordinary shares could decline in value or become worthless. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 27.
• Our business processes a certain quantity of personal information, and failure to protect private or sensitive information of end customers or improper handling of such information could have a material and adverse effect on our business. In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the Cyberspace
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• PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC Subsidiaries by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of any future offerings to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 31.
• The CSRC has recently released the New Overseas Listing Rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct overseas offering and listing in foreign markets, effective as of
• Within our direct holding structure, substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the requirement of
• Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees' salaries as required by PRC regulations or comply with laws and regulations on other employment practices may subject us to penalties. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 42.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
In the following discussion of risks related to our business and industry, unless otherwise provided, "we," "us," "our," or "ourselves" refer to Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries or
Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
• We are dependent on key insurance companies on the supply of insurance products to our end customers, the loss of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 43.
• We are dependent on our B channels to reach end customers. Failure to acquire new B channels or retain existing B channels in a cost-effective manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 44.
• Our PRC subsidiary, namely Zhibao China, significantly relies on a third party ("MGU Partner"), its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns to conduct MGU services. Failure to comply with the relevant laws and regulations with regard to the MGU services will adversely and materially affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
• The innovative insurance technology and infrastructure we use to optimize our insurance solutions require continuous developments and upgrades. We cannot assure you that these technologies will fully support our business. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 45.
• The regulation on the requirement of a company to make a filing on internet information service in
• If we are unable to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be affected. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 45.
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• We are subject to governmental regulations and other legal obligations related to privacy, information security, and data protection, and any security breaches, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with our legal obligations could harm our brand and business. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 46.
• Zhibao has identified two material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting. If Zhibao does not adequately remediate the material weaknesses, or if it experiences additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fails to maintain effective internal controls, it may not be able to accurately or timely report its financial condition or results of operations, or comply with the accounting and reporting requirements applicable to public companies, which may adversely affect investor confidence in Zhibao and the market price of its shares. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 52.
Risks Related to Offering and Ownership of Class A Ordinary Shares
Risks and uncertainties related to this offering and ownership of Class A ordinary shares include, but are not limited to, the following:
• The trading market for our Class A ordinary shares is very new, and consistently robust and liquid trading market may not develop or be sustained over the long term. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 54.
• Nasdaq may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our continued listing because we commutated a small public offering and insiders currently hold a large portion of our listed securities. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 54.
• Our Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
• The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 55.
• The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Class A ordinary shares could adversely affect their market price. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 56.
• Certain initial public offerings of companies with public floats comparable to our public float have experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of the respective company. We may experience similar volatility, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our Class A ordinary shares. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 56.
• Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our Class A ordinary shares for retuon your investment. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 56.
• If we are classified as a passive foreign investment company,
• We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 60.
• We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 58.
• Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors' ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 61.
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Implications of Being an
We had less than
• being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our filings with the
• not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;
• reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and
• exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our Class A ordinary shares in the IPO. However, if certain events occur before the end of such five-year period, including if we become a "large accelerated filer," if our annual gross revenues exceed
Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period and acknowledge such election is irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as a non-
• the rules under the Exchange Act that require
• the sections of the Exchange Act that regulate the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of any securities registered under the Exchange Act;
• the sections of the Exchange Act that require insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and that impose liability on insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and
• the rules under the Exchange Act that require the filing with the
We will file with the
17
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by
Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain of the more extensive
Implications of Being a
Under the Nasdaq 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, a group or another company. We may be deemed a controlled company because Mr.
• our board of directors is not required to be comprised of a majority of independent directors;
• our board of directors is not subject to the compensation committee requirement; and
• we are not subject to the requirements that director nominees be selected either by the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors.
The controlled company exemptions do not apply to the audit committee requirement or the requirement for executive sessions of independent directors. We are required to disclose in our annual report that we are a controlled company and the basis for that determination. Although we do not plan to take advantage of the exemptions provided to controlled companies, we may in the future take advantage of such exemptions.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Floor 3, Building 6,
Summary Financial Information Related to The Company
The PRC Subsidiaries contributed to 100% of our consolidated revenue for the fiscal years ended
18
The tables below demonstrate the quantitative metrics of the condensed consolidating schedule that disaggregates operations and depicts the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Zhibao and its subsidiaries as of
Condensed Consolidating Schedule - Statement of Operations
For the Fiscal Year Ended |
|||||||||
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
|||||||
RMB |
RMB |
USD |
|||||||
Revenues |
142,102,834 |
183,669,326 |
25,273,740 |
||||||
Cost of revenues |
(83,485,203 |
) |
(108,908,547 |
) |
(14,986,315 |
) |
|||
Total operating expenses |
(103,170,372 |
) |
(64,653,628 |
) |
(8,896,635 |
) |
|||
Income tax expenses |
(541,460 |
) |
(5,510,773 |
) |
(758,308 |
) |
|||
Net loss (income) |
(43,098,780 |
) |
13,251,753 |
1,823,501 |
Condensed Consolidating Schedule - Balance Sheet
As of |
As of |
|||||
2024 |
2024 |
|||||
RMB |
RMB |
USD |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
9,873,678 |
2,401,495 |
330,457 |
|||
Total current assets |
113,706,012 |
197,551,743 |
27,184,025 |
|||
Total non-current assets |
14,330,155 |
11,235,897 |
1,546,111 |
|||
Total assets |
128,036,167 |
208,787,640 |
28,730,136 |
|||
Total current liabilities |
94,300,176 |
141,068,960 |
19,411,735 |
|||
Total non-current liabilities |
2,280,852 |
3,727,886 |
512,975 |
|||
Total liabilities |
96,581,028 |
144,796,846 |
19,924,710 |
Condensed Consolidating Schedule - Statement of Cash Flows
For the Fiscal Year Ended |
|||||||||
2023 |
2024 |
2024 |
|||||||
RMB |
RMB |
USD |
|||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,123,895 |
) |
(3,809,353 |
) |
(524,185 |
) |
|||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
13,974,214 |
(592,338 |
) |
(81,509 |
) |
||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(4,555,972 |
) |
30,907,356 |
4,252,994 |
19
The Offering
Class A ordinary shares being offered by the Selling Shareholder: |
(i) Up to 3,282,563 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note; (ii) Up to 154,050 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant; and (iii) Up to 984,769 Class A ordinary shares, issuable upon exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant, which will become exercisable only upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note). |
|
Number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding before the offering: |
14,707,073 Class A ordinary shares. |
|
Number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding after the offering: |
19,128,455 Class A ordinary shares, based on 14,707,073 shares of our Class A ordinary shares outstanding as of |
|
Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any proceeds from the resale or other disposition of the Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder. However, we will receive the proceeds of any cash exercise of the Warrants. We intend to use the net proceeds from any cash exercise of the Warrants for working capital and general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds." |
|
Rights associated with our ordinary shares: |
Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting rights and conversion. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty votes. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at the option of the holder of such Class B ordinary share at any time, but Class A ordinary shares shall not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. |
|
Nasdaq symbol: |
"ZBAO" |
|
Transfer agent and registrar |
|
|
Risk factors: |
Investing in our Class A ordinary shares involves a significant degree of risk. As an investor you should be able to bear a complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 21 and the other information in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should consider carefully before you decide to invest in our Class A ordinary shares. |
20
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our Class A ordinary shares is highly speculative and involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in our 2024 Annual Report on file with the
Risks Related to Doing Business in
Our Class A ordinary shares may be delisted under the HFCA Act if the PRC adopts positions at any time in the future that would prevent the PCAOB from continuing to inspect or investigate completely accounting firms headquartered in mainland China or
On
On
Furthermore, various equity-based research organizations have recently published reports on China-based companies after examining their corporate governance practices, related party transactions, sales practices and financial statements, and these reports have led to special investigations and listing suspensions on
On
21
The lack of access to the PCAOB inspection in
On
• Is located in a foreign jurisdiction; and
• The PCAOB has determined that it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in the foreign jurisdiction.
Once identified, Section 104(i)(2)(B) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires these issuers, which the
On
22
On
On
On
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we cannot assure you that, because our books and records are primarily located in mainland China, we will in the future be able to become an issuer that is not a SEC-Identified Issuer, in which event our Class A ordinary shares may not be tradable in any
Further, new laws and regulations or changes in laws and regulations in both
Changes in the political and economic policies of the PRC government or in relations between China and
We are a
The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the extent of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in
While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past four decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. Our financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. In addition, the PRC government has implemented in the past certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity.
23
In
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.
Our PRC Subsidiaries are subject to various PRC laws, rules and regulations generally applicable to companies in
As relevant laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve with little advance notice, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in
On
As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC Subsidiaries had personal information of more than 15 million end customers through their digital insurance brokerage services and MGU services. Based upon the advice of our PRC counsel, Jinghe Law Firm, that each of our PRC Subsidiaries, is deemed a "personal information processor" under the Personal Information Protection Law ("PIPL") because they can all independently determine the handling purpose and method in the handling of personal information as defined in the PIPL.
24
In addition, neither Zhibao nor any of its subsidiaries is deemed an operator of any "critical information infrastructure" as defined under the PRC Cybersecurity Law and the Security Protection Measures on Critical Information Infrastructure promulgated by the
On
Under the New Overseas Listing Rules, a filing-based regulatory system applies to "indirect overseas offerings and listings" of companies in mainland China, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a company in mainland China that operates its main business in mainland China. The New Overseas Listing Rules state that, any post-listing follow-on offering by an issuer in an overseas market, including issuance of shares, convertible notes, exchangeable notes and preferred shares, shall be subject to filing requirement within three business days after the completion of the offering.
On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the New Overseas Listing Rules and issued the Overseas Listing Notice. Under the Overseas Listing Notice, a company that has already completed overseas listing will be considered as an existing listed company and is not required to make any filing until it conducts a new offering in the future.
Based on our understanding of the rules, we are required to submit the filing report to the CSRC within three business days upon the first closing of the transactions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreements and report share issuance status to the CSRC upon completion of all subsequent closings. On
As of the date of this prospectus, except for the filing and reporting with the CSRC, and the licenses and permissions held by Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries under "Regulatory Permissions", the Company believes it is not required to obtain permission or approval from any other PRC state or local government and has not received any denial to list on the
25
On
Given the PRC government's authority, oversight may also extend to Zhibao HK, our
The PRC government authorities may further strengthen oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in
There are risks arising from the legal systems in
26
The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. The PRC government may also intervene or influence our operations and this offering at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and our Class A ordinary shares could decline in value or become worthless.
We are a
Except for the filing and reporting requirements under the Trial Measures, we are currently not required to obtain approval from any PRC authorities to list on
The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in
For example, the Chinese cybersecurity regulator announced on
Furthermore, it is uncertain when and whether we will be required to obtain permission from the PRC government to list on
Our business processes a certain quantity of personal information, and failure to protect private or sensitive information of customers or improper handling of such information could have a material and adverse effect on our business. In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the
Our business involves collecting and retaining certain internal and end customer personal data. For example, our PRC Subsidiaries collect end customer's personal information in the ordinary course of business, including consumer profile data and purchase data. We and our PRC Subsidiaries also maintain information about various aspects of our operations as well as regarding our employees. The integrity and protection of our customers, employees and company data is critical to our business. Our customers and employees expect that we and our PRC Subsidiaries will adequately
27
protect their personal information. We and our PRC Subsidiaries are required by applicable laws to keep strictly confidential the personal information that we and our and our PRC Subsidiaries collect, and to take adequate security measures to safeguard such information.
The PRC regulators have been increasingly focused on regulating data security and data protection, especially as to private or sensitive information. We expect that these areas will receive greater attention from regulators, as well as attract public scrutiny and attention going forward. This greater attention, scrutiny, and enforcement, including more frequent inspections, could increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges associated with data security and protection. If we are unable to manage these risks, our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Besides, we face risks inherent in handling and protecting such data, including protecting the data hosted in our system, detecting and prohibiting unauthorized data share and transfer, preventing attacks on our system by outside parties or fraudulent behavior or improper use by our employees, and maintaining and updating our database. Any system failure, security breach or third parties attacks or attempts to illegally obtain the data that results in any actual or perceived release of user data could damage our reputation and brand, deter current and potential customers from using our services, damage our business, and expose us to potential legal liability.
On
The PRC regulatory requirements regarding cybersecurity are evolving and we are subject to local laws and regulations relating to the collection, use, storage, transfer, disclosure and security of personally identifiable information with respect to our end customers and employees including any requests from regulatory and government authorities relating to the data we collected. For instance, various regulatory bodies in
On
Further, the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version), which were promulgated on
• companies who are engaged in data processing are also subject to the regulatory scope;
• the CSRC is included as one of the regulatory authorities for purposes of jointly establishing the state cybersecurity review working mechanism; and
28
• the risks of core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, damaged, illegally used or transmitted to overseas parties and the risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, material data or large amounts of personal information being influenced, controlled or used maliciously shall be collectively taken into consideration during the cybersecurity review process.
The Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version) iterates that any "online platform operators" possessing personal information of more than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should be subject to cybersecurity review. The Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version), further elaborates the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities, including, among others, (i) the risk of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, and illegally used or exited the country; and (ii) the risk of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being affected, controlled, or maliciously used by foreign governments after listing abroad. The CAC requires that under the new rules, companies possessing personal information of more than 1,000,000 users must now apply for cybersecurity approval when seeking listings in other nations because of the risk that such data and personal information could be "affected, controlled, and maliciously exploited by foreign governments." The cybersecurity review will also look into the potential national security risks from overseas IPOs.
On
On
As a network platform operator who possesses personal information of more than one million users for purposes of the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version), we have applied for and completed a cybersecurity review with respect to the IPO pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version). However, there remains uncertainty as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures will be interpreted or implemented and how the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC or the NFRA, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures. We cannot assure you that we and/or our PRC Subsidiaries will comply with such regulations in all respects and we and/or our PRC Subsidiaries may be ordered to rectify or terminate any actions that are deemed illegal by regulatory authorities. We or our PRC Subsidiaries may not be able to pass such review in relation to this offering in a timely manner or at all. Any failure or delay in the completion of the cybersecurity review procedures or any other non-compliance with the related laws and regulations may result in fines or other penalties, including suspension of business, website closure, and revocation of prerequisite licenses, as well as reputational damage or legal proceedings or actions against us, which could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
29
The enforcement of the PRC Labor Contract Law and other labor-related regulations in the PRC may increase our labor costs, impose limitations on our labor practices and adversely affect our business and our results of operations.
The PRC Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law of
The protection of employees who, under the PRC Labor Contract Law, have the right, among others, to enter into written labor contracts, to enter into labor contracts with no fixed terms under certain circumstances, to receive overtime wages and to terminate or alter terms in labor contracts. Besides, we are required to pay various statutory employee benefits, including pension, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees under the PRC laws and regulations. The relevant government agencies may examine whether an employer has made adequate payments to the statutory employee benefits, and those employers who fail to make adequate payments may be subject to late payment fees, fines and/or other penalties.
In addition, the Labor Contract Law, which became effective in
In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise to change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implement rules, and other labor-related regulation may also limit our ability to effect those changes in a manner that we believe to be cost-effective, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to control our labor costs or pass on these increased labor costs to the insurance companies by increasing the fees of our brokerage services, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our PRC Subsidiaries are currently not subject to any labor disputes or related query, investigation or interference by a PRC governing body. However, due to the uncertainties as to the interpretation and implementation of these PRC laws and regulations, our PRC Subsidiaries' employment practices may not be at all times deemed in compliance with the laws and regulations. If we are subject to severe penalties or incur significant liabilities in connection with labor disputes or investigations, our business and financial conditions may be adversely affected.
PRC regulations relating to foreign exchange registration of overseas investment by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident beneficial owners of our PRC Subsidiaries to liability or penalties, limit our ability to inject capital into the subsidiary, limit PRC Subsidiaries' ability to increase its registered capital or distribute profits to us, or may otherwise adversely affect us.
On
30
These circulars further require amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as an increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC residents, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material events. In the event that a PRC resident holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to complete the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in its ability to contribute additional capital into its PRC subsidiaries. Furthermore, it is unclear how this regulation, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant PRC government authorities, and we cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. Failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange controls. This may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
According to SAFE Circular 37 and SAFE Circular 13, our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents are subject to Circular 37 or other foreign exchange administrative regulations in respect of their investment in our company. To the best of our knowledge, as of the date of this prospectus, all of our PRC resident shareholders who directly or indirectly hold shares in our
Furthermore, as these foreign exchange regulations are still relatively new and their interpretation and implementation have been constantly evolving, it is unclear how these regulations, and any future regulation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. We cannot predict how these regulations will affect our business operations or future strategy. In addition, if we decide to acquire a PRC domestic company, we cannot assure you that we or the owners of such company, as the case may be, will be able to obtain the necessary approvals or complete the necessary filings and registrations required by the foreign exchange regulations. This may restrict our ability to implement our acquisition strategy and could adversely affect our business and prospects.
PRC regulation on loans to, and direct investment in, our PRC Subsidiaries by offshore holding companies and governmental control in currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of any future offerings to make loans to or make additional capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Zhibao is an exempted company incorporated in the
31
contributions to our PRC Subsidiaries. For the fiscal years ended
The SAFE promulgated the Notice of the
In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, the PRC subsidiaries by offshore holding companies, and the fact that the PRC government may at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC Subsidiaries or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC Subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds from any future offerings and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a PRC "resident enterprise" for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Such classification would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC enterprise shareholders and has a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law ("EIT Law"), that became effective in
32
in
We do not believe that we, as an exempted company incorporated in the
Finally, since there remain uncertainties regarding the interpretation and implementation of the EIT Law and its implementation rules, it is uncertain whether, if we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends payable by us to our investors and gains on the sale of our shares would become subject to PRC withholding tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises (subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty). It is unclear whether non-PRC enterprise shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the Class A ordinary shares.
There are significant uncertainties under the EIT Law relating to the withholding tax liabilities of our PRC Subsidiaries, and dividends payable by our PRC Subsidiaries to our offshore subsidiaries may not qualify for certain treaty benefits.
Under the EIT Law and its implementation rules, we, as a non-resident enterprise, that is, an enterprise lawfully incorporated pursuant to the laws of a foreign country (region) that has an office or premises established in
Pursuant to a special arrangement between
Entitlement to a lower tax rate on dividends according to tax treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions is subject to Announcement of State Taxation Administration on Promulgation of the Administrative Measures on Non-resident Taxpayers Enjoying Treaty Benefits ("Circular 35"). Circular 35 provides that non-resident enterprises are not required to obtain pre-approval from the relevant tax authority in order to enjoy the reduced withholding tax. Instead, non-resident enterprises and their withholding agents may, by self-assessment and on confirmation that the prescribed criteria to enjoy the tax treaty benefits are met, directly apply
33
the reduced withholding tax rate, and file necessary forms and supporting documents when performing tax filings, which will be subject to post-tax filing examinations by the relevant tax authorities. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be entitled to any preferential withholding tax rate under tax treaties for dividends received from WFOE.
Enhanced scrutiny over acquisition transactions by the PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on potential acquisitions we may pursue in the future.
Pursuant to the Notice on
On
On
It is possible that we or our non-PRC resident investors may become at risk of being taxed under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37 or to establish that we or our non-PRC resident investors should not be taxed under SAT Bulletin 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-PRC resident investors' investment in us.
Dividends payable to our foreign investors and gains on the sale of our Class A ordinary shares by our foreign investors may be subject to PRC tax.
Under the EIT Law and its implementation regulations issued by the
34
from sources within the PRC. If we are deemed a PRC resident enterprise, dividends paid on our ordinary shares, and any gain realized from the transfer of our ordinary shares, may be treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and may as a result be subject to PRC taxation. See "Item 4. Information on the
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC Subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and the PRC Subsidiaries' restrictions on paying dividends or making other payments to us could restrict our ability to satisfy our liquidity requirements and have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
Zhibao is an exempted company incorporated in the
In addition, the EIT Law, and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC-resident enterprises are incorporated.
In response to the persistent capital outflow in
Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses to us and may reduce the value of, and amount in
The value of the RMB and the
35
interest rate increases by the
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues or make foreign currency payments effectively.
All of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently convertible under the "current account," which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the "capital account," which includes foreign direct investment and loans, including loans we may secure from our onshore subsidiaries. Currently, our WFOE may purchase foreign currency for settlement of "current account transactions," including payment of dividends to us, without the approval of SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC governmental authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future for current account transactions. Since we expect a significant portion of our future revenue will be denominated in Renminbi, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside of the PRC or pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders. Foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our subsidiaries.
Also, substantially all of the Company's operating activities that were conducted through the PRC Subsidiaries in
It may be difficult for overseas shareholders and/or regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.
Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in
36
The CSRC has recently released the New Overseas Listing Rules for China-based companies seeking to conduct overseas offering and listing in foreign markets, effective as of
On
Under the New Overseas Listing Rules, a filing-based regulatory system applies to "indirect overseas offerings and listings" of companies in mainland China, which refers to securities offerings and listings in an overseas market made under the name of an offshore entity but based on the underlying equity, assets, earnings or other similar rights of a company in mainland China that operates its main business in mainland China. The New Overseas Listing Rules state that, any post-listing follow-on offering by an issuer in an overseas market, including issuance of shares, convertible notes, exchangeable notes and preferred shares, shall be subject to filing requirement within three business days after the completion of the offering.
On the same day, the CSRC also held a press conference for the release of the New Overseas Listing Rules and issued the Overseas Listing Notice. Under the Overseas Listing Notice, a company that has already completed overseas listing will be considered as an existing listed company and is not required to make any filing until it conducts a new offering in the future.
Based on our understanding of the rules, we are required to submit the filing report to the CSRC within three business days upon the first closing of the transactions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreements and report share issuance status to the CSRC upon completion of all subsequent closings. On
As of the date of this prospectus, except for the filing and reporting with the CSRC, and the licenses and permissions held by Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries under "Regulatory Permissions", the Company believes it is not required to obtain permission or approval from any other PRC state or local government and has not received any denial to list on the
37
our ability to continue to offer our Class A ordinary shares, cause significant disruption to our business operations, and severely damage our reputation, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and cause our Class A ordinary shares to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
On
As of the date of this prospectus, we believe, except for the New Overseas Listing Rules and Overseas Listing Notice and the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version), no other relevant laws or regulations in the PRC explicitly require us to seek approval or permissions from any other PRC governmental authorities for our offering and continued listing on the Nasdaq, nor has our company, any of our subsidiaries received any inquiry, notice, warning or sanctions regarding our continued listing on the Nasdaq from any other PRC governmental authorities. As a network platform operator who possesses personal information of more than one million users for purposes of the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version), we completed a cybersecurity review with respect to the IPO pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures (2021 version). We have been closely monitoring regulatory developments in
The M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in
The M&A Rules discussed in the preceding risk factor and related regulations and rules concerning mergers and acquisitions established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the M&A Rules require that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, if (i) any important industry is concerned, (ii) such transaction involves factors that have or may have impact on the national economic security, or (iii) such transaction will lead to a change in control of a domestic enterprise which holds a famous trademark or PRC time-honored brand, (iv) or in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. Mergers, acquisitions or contractual arrangements that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on
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another market player must also be notified in advance to the MOFCOM when the threshold under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations of Undertakings issued by the
In addition, the security review rules issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in
In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations and other relevant rules to complete such transactions, if required, could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the MOFCOM or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. It is unclear whether our business would be deemed to be in an industry that raises "national defense and security" or "national security" concerns. However, the MOFCOM or other government agencies may publish explanations in the future determining that our business is in an industry subject to the security review, in which case our future acquisitions in the PRC, including those by way of entering into contractual control arrangements with target entities, may be closely scrutinized or prohibited. Our ability to expand our business or maintain or expand our market share through future acquisitions would as such be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, according to the M&A Rules, if a PRC entity or individual plans to merge or acquire its related PRC entity through an overseas company legitimately incorporated or controlled by such entity or individual, such a merger and acquisition will be subject to examination and approval by the MOFCOM. There is a possibility that the PRC regulators may promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain the approval of the MOFCOM or other PRC governmental authorities for our completed or ongoing mergers and acquisitions. There is no assurance that, if we plan to make an acquisition, we can obtain such approval from the MOFCOM or any other relevant PRC governmental authorities for our mergers and acquisitions, and if we fail to obtain those approvals, we may be required to suspend our acquisition and be subject to penalties. Any uncertainties regarding such approval requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and corporate structure.
To the extent cash or assets in our business are in mainland China or
Zhibao is an offshore holding company with no material operations of its own, and conducts substantially all of its operations through its PRC Subsidiaries. As of the date of this prospectus, substantially all of our cash and assets are located in the PRC. As a holding company, Zhibao may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its PRC Subsidiaries for its cash and financing requirements. If any of our PRC Subsidiaries incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing such debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends to us. We are currently in the process of adopting our formal cash management policies which will dictate the purpose, amount and procedure of cash transfers among Zhibao and our subsidiaries. Historically, one PRC operating entity provides financial support for other entities' operations by inter-company loans and they have not experienced difficulties or limitations on their ability to transfer cash between themselves. Prior to our reorganization for purpose of the IPO, cash transfers among our PRC operating entities and their subsidiaries were generally approved by the management of the company providing the funds. After our reorganization, cash transfers among Zhibao and our subsidiaries of less than
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(including funds from
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of mainland China. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to transfer cash out of mainland China, and pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders. Therefore, to the extent cash or assets in our business are in mainland China or
Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the PRC government will not intervene or impose restrictions in future on our ability to transfer or distribute cash within our PRC Subsidiaries or to foreign investors, which could result in an inability or prohibition on making transfers or distributions outside of mainland China and may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in
Zhibao is an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the
Furthermore, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of
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order to recover such debt from the judgment debtor. As a result, subject to the conditions with regard to enforcement of judgments of
Shareholder claims that are common in
The tension in international trade and rising political tension, particularly between
Although cross-border business may not be an area of our focus, as we plan to expand our business internationally in the future, any unfavorable government policies on international trade, such as capital controls or tariffs, may affect the demand for our products and services, impact our competitive position, or prevent us from being able to conduct business in certain countries. If any new tariffs, legislation, or regulations are implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated, such changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Recently, there have been heightened tensions in international economic relations, such as the one between
Although the direct impact of the current international trade tension, and any escalation of such tension, on the insurance industry in
In addition, political tensions between
Within our direct holding structure, substantial uncertainties exist with respect to the requirement of National Financial Regulatory Administration and how it may impact the viability of our current corporate structure, corporate governance and business operations.
The
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former PRC counsel,
However, because these laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, there remain substantial uncertainties as to whether and what standards will be imposed on a PRC insurance brokerage company with respect to its foreign investors. For example, it is unclear as to whether the approval requirement with the NFRA will apply to our PRC Subsidiaries engaged in insurance brokerage once such business is regarded as foreign restricted or otherwise our corporate structure might be considered as not incompliance with the relevant requirement of the NFRA regarding foreign investment restriction. If so, we and/or our PRC Subsidiaries may be required to obtain an approval to carry out our business in
We are subject to risks relating to the leased properties of our PRC Subsidiaries.
Our PRC Subsidiaries lease real properties for our offices in
The ownership certificates or other similar proof of the leased properties have not been provided to our PRC Subsidiaries by the relevant lessors. Therefore, we cannot assure you that such lessors are entitled to lease the relevant real properties to our PRC Subsidiaries. If the lessors are not entitled to lease the real properties to our PRC Subsidiaries and the owners of such real properties decline to ratify the lease agreements between our PRC Subsidiaries and the respective lessors, our PRC Subsidiaries may not be able to enforce their rights to lease such properties under the respective lease agreements against the owners. As of the date of this Prospectus, we and our PRC Subsidiaries are not aware of any claim or challenge brought by any third parties concerning the use of the leased properties without obtaining proper ownership proof. If the lease agreements are claimed as null and void by third parties who are the real owners of such leased real properties, our PRC Subsidiaries could be required to vacate the properties, in the event of which our PRC Subsidiaries could only initiate the claim against the lessors under relevant lease agreements for indemnities for their breach of the relevant leasing agreements. We cannot assure you that suitable alternative locations are readily available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and if our PRC Subsidiaries are unable to relocate our offices in a timely manner, our operations may be interrupted.
Failure to make adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans and withhold individual income tax on employees' salaries as required by PRC regulations or comply with laws and regulations on other employment practices may subject us to penalties.
Companies operating in
As of the date of this prospectus, although the PRC subsidiaries did not fully comply with the relevant requirements and have not made adequate contributions to various employee benefit plans in the history, they did not receive any notification from the competent PRC government for penalties in connection with such noncompliance. Over the past years, the PRC subsidiaries have not been making social payments for certain of their sales teams,
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while the applicable PRC laws and regulations on employee benefits stipulate that employers shall be responsible for making payments based on the actual wage paid to employees. With respect to the underpaid employee benefits, the PRC subsidiaries may be required to make up the contributions for these plans as well as to pay late fees and fines. With respect to the under-withheld individual income tax, the PRC subsidiaries may be required to make up sufficient withholding and pay late fees and fines. For example, an employer that has not made social insurance contributions at a rate and based on an amount prescribed by the law, or at all, may be ordered to rectify the non-compliance and pay the required contributions within a stipulated deadline and be subject to a late fee of up to 0.05% per day, as the case may be. If the employer still fails to rectify the failure to make social insurance contributions within the stipulated deadline, it may be subject to a fine ranging from one to three times of the amount overdue. If there is a failure to pay the full amount of housing provident fund as required, the housing provident fund management center may require payment of the outstanding amount within a prescribed period. If the payment is not made within such time limit, an application may be made to the PRC courts for compulsory enforcement. If the PRC subsidiaries are subject to late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits and under-withheld individual income tax, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. The PRC subsidiaries may also be subject to regulatory investigations and other penalties if their other employment practices are deemed to be in violation of relevant PRC laws and regulations.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
In the following discussion of risks related to our business and industry, unless otherwise provided, "we," "us," "our," or "ourselves" refer to Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries or Zhibao China Group.
We primarily operate in the digital insurance brokerage service industry in
We operate in China's digital insurance brokerage service industry, which is emerging, rapidly evolving, and fiercely competitive. Due to the relatively new nature, business models continue to evolve, and the regulatory framework governing the industry is also developing and may remain uncertain in the near future. As our business grows and in response to evolving end customers/B channels' needs and market competition, we will continue to introduce new insurance solutions and services, optimize existing ones, and adjust our business model as needed. However, significant changes to our business model may not yield the anticipated results and could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
As a result, it is challenging to predict our future prospects accurately. If we fail to educate our B channels and end customers on the value of our insurance solutions and services, fail to meet the needs of our target market, or if the market for our offerings does not develop as expected, our business and results of operations may suffer.
We are dependent on key insurance companies on the supply of insurance products to our end customers, the loss of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on key insurance company on the supply of insurance products to our end customers. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, one key insurance company ("Key Insurer B") accounted for approximately 12% of our revenues. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, one key insurance brokerage company ("Key Insurer C") accounted for approximately 13% of our revenues. One of our PRC Subsidiaries, Sunshine Insurance Brokers has over three years of partnership with Key Insurer B since January 2020, and we believe that Sunshine Insurance Brokers has established a stable and healthy partnership with such company and expect to partner with such company on a long term. Sunshine Insurance Brokers also established a partnership with Key Insurer C since January 2024 and anticipates a long-term collaboration with such company. See "Item 4. Information on the
Our ability to maintain close relationships with these major insurance companies is essential to the growth and profitability of our business. However, a major insurance company in one year may not provide the same level of revenues for us in any subsequent year. The services we provide to insurance companies, and the revenues so generated from those services, may decline or vary over time. In addition, our reliance on any individual insurance company for a significant portion of our revenues may give that insurance company a certain degree of pricing leverage against us when negotiating contracts and terms of service. A number of factors other than our performance could cause the loss
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of or reduction in business or revenues from an insurance company, and these factors are not predictable. These factors may include organization restructuring, pricing pressure, changes to its strategy, or switching to another services provider. The loss of cooperation with any of major insurance companies could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are dependent on our B channels to reach end customers. Failure to acquire new B channels or retain existing B channels in a cost-effective manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our B channels are indispensable to our business operations by allowing our PaaS to be embedded in their customer engagement matrix, including their websites, App, Wechat Mini Programs, Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of TikTok) and other social media accounts, which provide us with a stable and reliable end customer base. As of the date of this prospectus, we have established business cooperation with more than 1,800 business channels, through which we have acquired more than 15 million end customers.
Our ability to cost-effectively attract and secure new B channels and retain and maintain existing B channels, is crucial to driving our business growth and expansion, thus indirectly achieving profitability. Although our B channels do not directly generate any revenues for us, they are essential to our business as they provide us unique opportunities to reach and serve the end customers. There can be no assurance that new B channels will stay with us. In addition, if the existing B channels no longer find our PaaS or services appealing, or if our competitors offer more attractive services or better customer services, our existing B channels may lose interest in us or even cease to transact with us. Any adverse changes to our relationships with B channels could have a material adverse effect on our image, brand and reputation, as well as on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to retain our existing B channels or to acquire new B channels in a cost-effective manner, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Our PRC subsidiary, namely Zhibao China, significantly relies on a third party ("MGU Partner"), its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns to conduct MGU services. Failure to comply with the relevant laws and regulations with regard to the MGU services will adversely and materially affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
According to the Regulatory Provision on Insurance Agents, which was published on November 12, 2020 and effective on January 1, 2021, a specialized insurance agency or a corporate sideline insurance agency engaging in insurance agency business in the PRC shall satisfy the criteria stipulated by the insurance regulatory authority under the State Council and obtain the relevant insurance agency business permit. The subsidiary of our MGU Partner is qualified to carry out insurance agency business with an insurance agency business permit and we rely on our MGU Partner, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns to carry out our MGU business. However, we cannot assure you that such business model is stable and the entering-into and performance of the contracts with such MGU Partner, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns for MGU services are compliant with relevant PRC laws and regulations. Furthermore, we also cannot assure you that such MGU Partner, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns engaged in the MGU services will be able to maintain and renew all licenses, permits and approvals necessary for their operations or comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
As the date of this Prospectus, Zhibao China, as well as the MGU Partner, its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns has not been subject to any notice, fines or other penalties from competent government authorities or claims or allegations of its clients related to the above-mentioned business. If our MGU business is considered as non-compliance by any government authorities, we will terminate such business timely under which circumstance, we might be subject to administrative penalties and contractual liabilities owed to its clients and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to accelerate expansion of 2B2C business to drive growth in our 2C business, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our future growth depends on our ability to sustain the expansion of our 2B2C business and convert the end customers secured through our 2B2C business into our direct customers, or 2C business. With our strong position as a first mover in the 2B2C embedded insurance brokerage market, we aim to further broaden our B channel base through enhanced collaborations with insurance companies, other insurance brokerage companies, and technology
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firms with resources to B channels. We also plan to convert end customers secured through our 2B2C model into direct customers and fuel growth in our 2C business. To achieve these goals, we will employ two strategies. First, we will offer personalized insurance consultations to end customers through multiple channels, including, among others, WeChat Mini Program, phone, or face-to-face meetings. Our aim is to steer their attention towards comprehensive family security plans, leading to long-term insurance commitments with us. Second, we will provide targeted consulting services to guide end customers towards suitable insurance options and facilitate short-term policy conversions. However, our offerings may not always meet the needs of those potential or existing end customers. If they cannot find desirable insurance options at competitive prices and terms, or if their experience with us is unsatisfactory, they may lose trust and terminate their commitments. In such a scenario, they may switch to other platforms, which could significantly impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The innovative insurance technology and infrastructure we use to optimize our insurance solutions requires continuous developments and upgrades. We cannot assure you that these technologies will fully support our business.
We regard insurance technology and infrastructure as critical to our ability to optimize our insurance solutions provided to our B channels and end customers. We have invested substantial resources in developing the sophisticated and innovative technology systems that we use for optimizing our insurance solutions on our PaaS. We will continually strive to improve and expand, upgrade and update our insurance solutions through our research and development and technology innovations in order to deliver innovative and comprehensive new, updated or upgraded insurance solutions to meet the evolving needs of our B channels and end customers. Our aim is to subdivide solutions across various scenarios, and ultimately infiltrate every aspect of the end customers' daily life, delivering unparalleled service to our B channels and end customers. To achieve such, we are dedicated to expanding our investment in our insurance technology infrastructure, our research and development of new technologies and existing technology upgrade or updates through any future financings. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to keep up with technological improvements or that the technology developed by others will not render our solutions less competitive or attractive.
If we are unable to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be affected.
We believe our success greatly depends on our ability to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals. To maintain and improve our competitive advantage in the market, we intend to implement several initiatives to retain and attract more mid- to high-level personnel. These include formulating a market-oriented compensation structure for our employees and implementing a standardized multi-level performance review mechanism. However, the competition for talented professionals with expertise in insurance, sales and marketing, and technology is fierce in
The regulation on the requirement of a company to make a filing on internet information service in
The interpretation and application of existing Chinese laws and regulations, the stated positions of the main governing authority, the MIIT, and the possibility of adopting new laws or regulations have created significant uncertainties regarding the legality of the businesses and activities of the PRC companies with internet operations. In particular, according to the Internet Information Services Administrative Measures promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000, the activities of Internet content providers are regulated by various PRC governmental authorities depending on the specific activities conducted by the Internet content provider.
Our processing of policyholder information and completing insurance transactions through our platform in real time might fall into the category of "B21 Online Data Processing and Transaction Processing Business" in the "Telecommunications Business Classification Catalog (2015 Edition)" promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on June 6, 2019, for which a value-added telecommunications business license must be obtained in accordance with the "Regulations of
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Given the "Measures for the Regulation of Internet Insurance Business" promulgated by the CBIRC on December 7, 2020 only requires Internet insurance institutions to complete the Internet information service filing procedures with the Internet industry management department for self-operated network platforms, whether our failure to obtain a value-added telecommunications business operation license constitutes a violation is subject to interpretation. If we are deemed to be required to obtain value-added telecommunications business operation license and, therefore, found to be in violation of the law, we might be subject to confiscation of illegal gains, penalties, suspension of certain types of services, or orders to shut down relevant websites. Such consequences could negatively impact our net revenues and results of operations.
Our operating history may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results, and we may not be able to sustain our historical growth rates.
Our operating history may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results. There is no assurance that we will be able to grow our revenues in future periods. Our growth rates may decline for any number of possible reasons, and some of them are beyond our control, including decreasing customer demand, increasing competition, declining growth of the insurance industry in general, or changes in government policies or general economic conditions. We will continue to expand our sales network, and upgrade, update, renovate our insurance resolutions to bring greater convenience to our B channels and end customers and to increase our B channels/end customer base and volume of sales on our PaaS.
However, the execution of our expansion plan is subject to uncertainty and the sales may not grow at the rate we expect for the reasons stated above. If our growth rates decline, investors' perceptions of our business and prospects may be adversely affected and the market price of our Class A ordinary shares could decline.
We may encounter difficulties expanding into new businesses or industries, which may affect adversely our results of operations and financial condition.
We may encounter difficulties and face risks in connection with our expansion into new businesses or industries. We cannot assure you that our expansion into new businesses will be successful, as we may have limited experience in such industries. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate sufficient profits to justify the costs of expanding into new businesses or industries. Any new business in which we invest or which we intend to develop may require our additional capital investment, R&D efforts, as well as our management's attention. If such new business does not progress as planned, our results of operations and financial condition may be affected adversely.
We may be subject to legal or other proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. If the outcome of these proceedings is adverse to us, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
During the ordinary course of our business operations, we may be involved in legal disputes or regulatory and other proceedings relating to, including but not limited to, contractual disputes, product liability claims and employees' claims. Especially, for contractual disputes, we cannot assure you that the venue and governing law agreed in relevant contracts are always favorable to us. Any such legal disputes or proceedings may subject us to substantial liabilities and may have a material and adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. Among those proceedings, some of them may be relating to our products or services or complaints from third parties.
If we become involved in material or protracted legal proceedings or other legal disputes in the future, we may incur substantial legal expenses and our management may need to devote significant time and attention to handle such proceedings and disputes, thereby diverting their attention from our business operations. In addition, the outcome of such proceedings or disputes may be uncertain and could result in settlement or outcomes which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to governmental regulations and other legal obligations related to privacy, information security, and data protection, and any security breaches, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with our legal obligations could harm our brand and business.
We generate, collect, store and process a large amount of personal, transactional, statistical and behavioral data, including certain personal and other sensitive data from our end customers, including names, identity card numbers, telephone numbers, correspondence addresses, and payment or transaction related information. We face
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risks inherent in handling large volumes of data and in securing and protecting such data. In particular, we face a number of data-related challenges related to our business operations, including: (i) protecting the data in and hosted on our system and servers, including against attacks on our system and cloud servers by external parties or fraudulent behavior by our employees; (ii) addressing concerns related to privacy and sharing, safety, security and other factors; and (iii) complying with applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the collection, use, disclosure or security of personal information, including any requests from regulatory and government authorities relating to such data.
Although we have taken steps to protect such data, technology renovations or updates, increased level of expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or others could still result in breach of the security measures that we use. On December 28, 2012, SCNPC promulgated the Decision to Strengthen the Protection of Internet Information, or the Information Protection Decision, to strengthen the protection of personal information on the internet. The Information Protection Decision provides that internet content providers must expressly inform their users of the purpose, manner to collect and use the users' personal information and the scope of the information to be collected and used by the provider. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not experienced any material breach of our cybersecurity system or measures. As techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any accidental or wilful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our system and cloud servers could cause confidential information to be accessed, stolen and used for illegal or unauthorized purposes. Security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with end customers, B channels, and other business partners could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability, and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, PRC government authorities have enacted a series of laws and regulations in regard of the protection of personal information, under which telecommunication business operators, internet service providers and other value chain operators are required to comply with the principles of legality, justification and necessity, to clearly indicate the purposes, methods and scope of any information collection and usage, to obtain the consent of customers, and to keep collected personal information confidential, as well as to establish customer information protection system with appropriate remedial measures. On November 7, 2016, the SCNPC promulgated the PRC Cybersecurity Law, which took effect on June 1, 2017. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Law, any individual or organization using the network must comply with the constitution and the applicable laws, follow the public order and respect social moralities; and must not endanger cybersecurity, or engage in activities by making use of the network that endanger the national security, honor and interests, or infringe on the fame, privacy, intellectual property and other legitimate rights and interests of others. The PRC Cybersecurity Law sets forth various security protection obligations for network operators, which are defined as "owners and administrators of networks and network service providers", including, among others, complying with a series of requirements of graded cybersecurity protection systems; verifying users' real identity; localizing the personal information and important data gathered and produced by key information infrastructure operators during operations within the PRC; and providing assistance and support to government authorities where necessary for protecting national security and investigating crimes. Significant capital, managerial and human resources are required to comply with legal requirements, enhance information security and to address any issues caused by security failures. However, there is uncertainty as to the interpretation and application of such laws which may be interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with our current policies and practices or require changes to the features of our system. We cannot assure you that our existing information protection system and technical measures will be considered sufficient under applicable laws and regulations. If we are unable to address any information protection concerns, protect our systems or to comply with the then applicable laws and regulations, we may incur additional costs and liability and our reputation, business and operations might be adversely affected. In addition, complying with various laws and regulations may cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices, including our data practices, in a manner adverse to our business.
We are currently taking compliance measures to ensure that we obtain consent from our end customers to use their information within the scope of authorization, and we have taken technical measures to ensure the security of such information and prevent the information from being divulged, damaged or lost. However, since the Cybersecurity Law and relevant regulations, rules and measures are relatively new, there are uncertainties as to the interpretation and application of these laws and regulations, and it is possible that our data protection practices are or will be inconsistent with regulatory requirements. Any violation of the provisions and requirements under the Cybersecurity
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Law and other relevant regulations, rules and measures may subject us to warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses, suspension of business, shutting down of websites or even criminal liabilities. Complying with such requirements could cause us to incur substantial expenses or to alter or change our practice in a manner that could harm our business. Any systems failure or security breach or lapse that results in the unauthorized release of our customer data could harm our reputation and brand and, consequently, our business, in addition to exposing us to potential legal liability. Furthermore, end customers may have concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, and any negative publicity on our information safety or privacy protection mechanism and policy, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation and brand and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We may be subject to liability if private information that we receive is not secure or if we violate privacy laws and regulations.
We are or may become subject to a variety of laws and regulations in
The European Union Parliament approved a new data protection regulation, known as the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), which came into effect in May 2018. The GDPR includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the European Economic Area. The GDPR imposes significant penalties for non-compliance. Although we do not conduct any business in the European Economic Area, in the event that residents of the European Economic Area access our website and input protected information, we may become subject to provisions of the GDPR.
In February 2022, the
We are also subject to laws restricting disclosure of information relating to our employees. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, policies, legal obligations, and industry codes of conduct relating to privacy, data security, cybersecurity and data protection. However, given that the scope, interpretation, and application of these laws and regulations are often uncertain and may be conflicting, it is possible that these obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our third-party service-providers to comply with our privacy or security policies or privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other customer data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation, or negative publicity, and could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. Although we maintain cybersecurity insurance, we cannot assure you that this insurance will cover or satisfy any claim made against us or adequately cover any defense costs we may incur.
Our ability to protect the confidential information of our customers may be adversely affected by cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions.
We collect, store, and process certain personal and other sensitive data from our customers, which makes us an attractive target and potentially vulnerable to cyberattacks, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins or similar disruptions. While we have taken steps to mitigate the cyberattack risks and protect the confidential information
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that we have access to, including but not limited to installation and periodical updates of antivirus software and backup of information on our computer systems, our security measures could be breached. Because techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any cybersecurity incident, accidental or willful security breaches or other unauthorized access to our systems could cause confidential information to be stolen and used for criminal purposes. Cybersecurity incidents, security breaches or unauthorized access to confidential information could also expose us to liability related to the loss of the information, time-consuming and expensive litigation and negative publicity. If security measures are breached because of third-party action, employee error, malfeasance or otherwise, or if design flaws in our technology infrastructure are exposed and exploited, our relationships with our customers could be severely damaged, we could incur significant liability, and our business and operations could be adversely affected.
Meanwhile, if we fail to protect confidential information, we may be involved in various claims and litigations raised for privacy or other damages. Such claims and litigations will take a lot of time and resources to defend and we cannot assure you these claims or litigations will result in a favorable outcome. In February 2022, the
The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in
Our business depends on the performance and reliability of the internet infrastructure in
The failure of telecommunications network operators to provide us with the requisite bandwidth could also interfere with the speed and availability of our APP and our website. We have no control over the costs of the services provided by the national telecommunications operators. If the prices that we pay for telecommunications and internet services rise significantly, our gross margins could be adversely affected. In addition, if internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, our user traffic may decrease, which in tumay significantly decrease our revenues.
Part of our services could be disrupted by network interruptions.
Part of our services depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications systems. Substantially all of our computer hardware and our cloud computing services is currently located in
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Infringement of our intellectual property right by any third party or loss of our intellectual property rights may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret protection laws in
Intellectual property protection may not be sufficient in
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims from third parties, which may be expensive to defend with no assurance of success and may disrupt our business and operations.
We cannot be certain that our operations or any aspects of our business do not or will not infringe upon or otherwise violate trademark, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may, and from time to time in the future be, subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others. There could also be existing trademarks or other intellectual property of which we are not aware that we may infringe. While we do not know of any intellectual property rights on which our products or our business infringe, we cannot assure you that holders of trademark or other intellectual property rights purportedly relating to some aspect of our technology or business, would not seek to enforce such intellectual property rights against us or that they will not be successful in any such enforcement action. If an action is commenced in
If we are unable to manage our growth or execute our strategies effectively, our business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
To accommodate our growth, we anticipate that we will need to implement a variety of new and upgraded operational and financial systems, procedures and controls, including the improvement of our accounting and other internal management systems. We will also need to continue to expand, train, manage and motivate our workforce and manage our relationships with our B channels and end customers. All of these endeavors involve risks and will require substantial management effort and significant additional expenditures. We may not be able to manage our growth or execute our strategies effectively, and any failure to do so may have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
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The wide variety of payment methods that we accept subjects us to third-party payment processing-related risks.
We accept payments from customers in
Our success depends on our ability to retain our core management team and other key personnel.
Our performance depends on the continued service and performance of our directors and senior management as they are expected to play an important role in guiding the implementation of our business strategies and future plans. The loss of the services of one or more of our core management team members could impede implementation of our business plan and result in reduced profitability. For example, Our founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Competition for our employees is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the highly skilled employees needed to support our business.
As we continue to experience growth, we believe our success depends on the efforts and talents of our employees, including management team, sales team and R&D personnel. Our future success depends on our continued ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Competition for highly skilled personnel is extremely intense. We may not be able to hire and retain these personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure.
In addition, we invest significant time and expense in training our employees, which increases their value to competitors who may seek to recruit them. If we fail to retain our employees, we could incur significant expenses in hiring and training their replacements, and the quality of our services and our ability to serve customers could diminish, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by an economic downturn.
Because our sales may depend on customers' levels of disposable income, perceived job prospects and willingness to spend, our business and prospects may be affected by global economic conditions. The global financial markets experienced significant disruptions in 2008 and
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Zhibao has identified two material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting. If Zhibao does not adequately remediate the material weaknesses, or if it experiences additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fails to maintain effective internal controls, it may not be able to accurately or timely report its financial condition or results of operations, or comply with the accounting and reporting requirements applicable to public companies, which may adversely affect investor confidence in Zhibao and the market price of its shares.
Prior to the IPO, Zhibao was a private company and was never required to evaluate its internal control within a specified period, and, as a result, it may experience difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner. Its management has not completed assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over
The material weaknesses identified included (i) insufficient number of personnel with an appropriate level of
Following the identification of the material weaknesses and control deficiencies, Zhibao has taken some remedial measures including (i) hiring more qualified accounting personnel with relevant
After the completion of the IPO in April 2024, Zhibao became a public company in
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Zhibao. In addition, after Zhibao becomes a public company, its reporting obligations may place a significant strain on its management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. It may be unable to timely complete its evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing Zhibao's internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, it may identify other weaknesses and deficiencies in its internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if it fails to maintain the adequacy of its internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, it may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that it has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. If it fails to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, it could suffer material misstatements in its financial statements and fail to meet its reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in its reported financial information. This could in tulimit its access to capital markets, harm its results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading price of its shares.
Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose Zhibao and its PRC Subsidiaries to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject Zhibao to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which it lists, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. It may also be required to restate its consolidated financial statements from prior periods.
We may need additional capital but may not be able to obtain it on favorable terms or at all.
We may require additional cash resources due to future growth and development of our business, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our cash resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue additional equity or debt securities or obtain new or expanded credit facilities. Our ability to obtain external financing in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including our future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, share price performance, liquidity of international capital and lending markets and PRC governmental regulations over foreign investment in the PRC. In addition, incurring indebtedness would subject us to increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in a timely manner or in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Any failure to raise needed funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, could severely restrict our liquidity as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, any issuance of equity or equity-linked securities could result in significant dilution to our existing shareholders.
Our business operations are located in
Currently, our business operations are based in
Zhibao is a
Zhibao is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its business through its PRC Subsidiaries. Zhibao may rely on dividends to be paid by its WFOE to fund its cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to its shareholders, to service any debt it may incur and to pay
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it operating expenses. Zhibao's PRC Subsidiaries generate and retain cash generated from operating activities and re-invest it in their business. If WFOE incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to Zhibao.
Under PRC laws and regulations, WFOE may pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, WFOE is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a certain statutory reserve fund, until the aggregate amount of such fund reaches 50% of its registered capital.
WFOE generates primarily all of its revenue in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the ability of WFOE to use its Renminbi revenues to pay dividends to Zhibao. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls, and more restrictions and substantial vetting process may be put forward by the SAFE for cross-border transactions falling under both the current account and the capital account. Any limitation on the ability of WFOE to pay dividends or make other kinds of payments to Zhibao could materially and adversely limit its ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to its business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct its business.
Risks Related to Offering and Ownership of Class A Ordinary Shares
The trading market for our Class A ordinary shares is very new, and consistently robust and liquid trading market may not develop or be sustained over the long term.
We only recently consummated our IPO in April 2024, and so the trading market for our Class A ordinary shares is very new and unestablished. If a consistently robust and liquid trading market for our Class A ordinary shares does not develop, you may not be able to sell your shares quickly or at the market price. Our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling our securities and our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our securities as consideration may also be impaired.
Nasdaq may apply additional and more stringent criteria for our continued listing because we commutated a small public offering and insiders currently hold a large portion of our listed securities.
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5101 provides Nasdaq with broad discretionary authority over the initial and continued listing of securities in Nasdaq and Nasdaq may use such discretion to apply additional or more stringent criteria for the continued listing of particular securities, or suspend or delist particular securities based on any event, condition, or circumstance that exists or occurs that makes continued listing of the securities on Nasdaq inadvisable or unwarranted in the opinion of Nasdaq, even though the securities meet all enumerated criteria for continued listing on Nasdaq. In addition, Nasdaq has used its discretion to deny continued listing or to apply additional and more stringent criteria in the instances, including but not limited to: (i) where the company engaged an auditor that has not been subject to an inspection by PCAOB, an auditor that PCAOB cannot inspect, or an auditor that has not demonstrated sufficient resources, geographic reach, or experience to adequately perform the company's audit; (ii) where the company planned a small public offering, which would result in insiders holding a large portion of the company's listed securities. Nasdaq was concerned that the offering size was insufficient to establish the company's initial valuation, and there would not be sufficient liquidity to support a public market for the company; and (iii) where the company did not demonstrate sufficient nexus to the
Our Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
We have a dual-class share structure such that our ordinary shares consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares and our Class B ordinary shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by our shareholders. Each Class A ordinary share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings, and each Class B ordinary share
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shall entitle the holder thereof to twenty votes on all matters subject to vote at our general meetings. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any Class B ordinary share by the holder of such Class B ordinary share to any person who is not an affiliate of such shareholder, such Class B ordinary share shall be automatically and immediately converted into one Class A ordinary share.
Mr.
The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares may be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of the broad market and industry factors, like the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located primarily in
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our Class A ordinary shares may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
• regulatory developments affecting us or our industry;
• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly results of operations and changes or revisions of our expected results;
• changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
• conditions in the market for intermediary services;
• announcements by us or our competitors of new product and/or service offerings, acquisitions, strategic relationships, joint ventures, capital raisings or capital commitments;
• additions to or departures of our senior management;
• fluctuations of exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar;
• release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding shares;
• negative publicity regarding Chinese listed companies;
• Political or legal actions taken or restrictions imposed by the government in China; and
• sales or perceived potential sales of additional Class A ordinary shares.
Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our Class A ordinary shares will trade.
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In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Certain initial public offerings of companies with public floats comparable to our public float have experienced extreme volatility that was seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of the respective company. We may experience similar volatility, which may make it difficult for prospective investors to assess the value of our Class A ordinary shares.
In addition to the risks addressed above in "- The trading price of our Class A ordinary shares may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors", our Class A ordinary shares may be subject to extreme volatility that is seemingly unrelated to the underlying performance of our business. Recently, companies with comparable public floats and initial public offering sizes have experienced instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines, and such stock price volatility was seemingly unrelated to the respective company's underlying performance. Although the specific cause of such volatility is unclear, our public float may amplify the impact the actions taken by a few shareholders have on the price of our Class A ordinary shares, which may cause our share price to deviate, potentially significantly, from a price that better reflects the underlying performance of our business. Should our Class A ordinary shares experience run-ups and declines that are seemingly unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, prospective investors may have difficulty assessing the rapidly changing value of our Class A ordinary shares. In addition, investors of our Class A ordinary shares may experience losses, which may be material, if the price of our Class A ordinary shares declines at any time or if such investors purchase shares of our Class A ordinary shares prior to any price decline.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A ordinary shares, the market price for our Class A ordinary shares and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Class A ordinary shares is influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our Class A ordinary shares, the market price for our Class A ordinary shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease to cover us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in tucould cause the market price or trading volume for our Class A ordinary shares to decline.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Class A ordinary shares could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A ordinary shares, including Class B ordinary shares, which will automatically convert into Class A ordinary shares upon transfer, or convertible promissory notes convertible into our Class A ordinary shares under certain conditions, in the public market at any time, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A ordinary shares and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. The Class A ordinary shares sold under this prospectus are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares held by our existing shareholders may also be sold in the public market subsequent to the IPO subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 under the Securities Act and the applicable lock-up agreements. There are currently 14,707,073 Class A ordinary shares and 16,816,692 Class B ordinary shares outstanding. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of our Class A ordinary shares.
Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our Class A ordinary shares for retuon your investment.
We do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our Class A ordinary shares as a source for any future dividend income.
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Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and 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. Accordingly, the retuon your investment in our Class A ordinary shares will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our Class A ordinary shares. There is no guarantee that our Class A ordinary shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased our Class A ordinary shares. You may not realize a retuon your investment in our Class A ordinary shares and you may even lose your entire investment.
You may have to rely on the judgment of our management as to the use of the net proceeds from our future financings, and such use may not produce income or increase our share price.
We will not receive any proceeds from the resale or other disposition of the Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder. However, we will receive the proceeds of any cash exercise of the Warrants. We intend to use the net proceeds from any cash exercise of the Warrants for working capital and general corporate purposes. We also plan to use the net proceeds of our future offerings of our securities primarily for the R&D on new services and technologies, and upgrades, updates and improvement of existing services and technologies, and new hires of R&D staff; develop new insurance solutions, and upgrades, updates and enhancement of existing insurance solutions; sales, marketing and brands promotion; business expansions, mergers and acquisitions although as of the date of this prospectus, we have not identified, or engaged in any material discussions with any potential target for such business expansions; working capital and other general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds." However, our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our efforts to achieve or maintain profitability or increase our share price. The net proceeds from our future financings may be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.
An investment in our company may involve tax implications, and you are encouraged to consult your own advisors as neither we nor any related party is offering any tax assurances or guidance regarding our Class A ordinary shares or your investment.
An investment in our company generally involves complex federal, state and local income tax considerations. Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any State or local taxing authority has reviewed the transactions described herein and may take different positions than the ones contemplated by management. You are strongly urged to consult your own tax and other advisors prior to investing, as neither we nor any of our officers, directors or related parties is offering you tax or similar advice, nor are any such persons making any representations and warrants regarding such matters.
If we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, United States taxpayers who own our Class A ordinary shares may have adverse United States federal income tax consequences.
A non-U.S. corporation such as us will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which is known as a PFIC, for any taxable year if, for such year, either
• At least 75% of our gross income for the year is passive income; or
• The average percentage of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable year which produces passive income or which are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%.
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
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. taxpayer who holds our Class A ordinary shares, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject to additional reporting requirements.
Depending on the amount of cash we hold and the amount of cash we raise in our future offerings of our securities, together with any other assets held for the production of passive income, it is possible that, for our current taxable year or for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income. We
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will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year. Although the law in this regard is unclear, we treat our consolidated affiliated entities as being owned by us for United States federal income tax purposes, not only because we exercise effective control over the operation of such entities but also because we are entitled to substantially all of their economic benefits, and, as a result, we consolidate their operating results in our consolidated financial statements. For purposes of the PFIC analysis, in general, a non-U.S. corporation is deemed to own its pro rata share of the gross income and assets of any entity in which it is considered to own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% of the equity by value.
Our status as a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination made on an annual basis. Accordingly, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status and also expresses no opinion with regard to our expectations regarding our PFIC status.
For a more detailed discussion of the application of the PFIC rules to us and the consequences to U.S. taxpayers who own our ordinary shares if we were determined to be a PFIC, see "Item 10. Additional Information - E Taxation - Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations - Passive Foreign Investment Company" in our 2024 Annual Report.
The amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that we adopted contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our Class A ordinary shares.
Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue shares at such times and on such terms and conditions as the board of directors may decide without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our dual-class voting structure gives disproportionate voting power to the holders of our Class B ordinary shares. In addition, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our Class A ordinary shares. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our Class A ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Class A ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.
We are a "controlled company" within the meaning of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules and, as a result, may rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.
We are a "controlled company" as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules because our Chairman of the board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Botao Ma, beneficially owns more than 50% of our total voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely on, and may rely on, certain exemptions from corporate governance rules, including an exemption from the rule that a majority of our board of directors must be independent directors. As a result, you may not have the same protection afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to these corporate governance requirements.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with limited liability. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our directors or officers, or enforce judgments obtained in the United States courts against our directors or officers.
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Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands 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 us 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, 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 are not 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 less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have the 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 or to obtain copies of the register of members of these companies. Our directors 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 our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. 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.
Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the U.S. Currently, we do not plan to rely on home country practice with respect to any corporate governance matter. However, if we choose to follow our home country practice in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Our Securities - Comparison of Cayman Islands Corporate Law and U.S. Corporate Law."
You may be unable to present proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by shareholders.
The laws of the Cayman Islands provide 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. These rights, however, may be provided in a company's articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders holding shares representing in aggregate not less than ten (10%) percent of our voting share capital in issue, to requisition a general meeting of our shareholders, in which case our directors are obliged to call such meeting. Advance notice of at least fourteen (14) clear days is required for the convening of our general shareholders' meeting. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one or more shareholders present or by proxy, or if a corporation, by its duly authorized representative, representing not less than one-third of all votes attaching to all ordinary shares in issue and entitled to vote at such general meeting of the Company. For these purposes, "clear days" means that period excluding (a) the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and (b) the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, most of our current directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action
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of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the PRC may render you unable to seek recognition and/or enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and the PRC, see "Enforceability of Civil Liabilities."
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 for so long as we are an emerging growth company.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an "emerging growth company" can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period. As a result of this election, our future financial statements may not be comparable to other public companies that comply with the public company effective dates for these new or revised accounting standards.
We are 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.
Because we are a foreign private issuer under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), 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:
• the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC;
• 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 share ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and
• the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material non-public information under Regulation FD.
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Capital Market. 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. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information, which would be made available to you, were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
We may incur significantly increased costs and devote substantial management time as a result of the listing of our Class A ordinary shares.
We may incur additional legal, accounting and other expenses as a public reporting company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an emerging growth company. For example, we may be required to comply with the additional requirements of the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq rules, including applicable corporate governance practices. We expect that compliance with these requirements m increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition, we expect that our management and other personnel will need to divert attention from operational and other business matters to devote substantial time to these public company requirements. We cannot predict or estimate the number of additional costs we may incur as a result of becoming a public company or the timing of such costs.
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In addition, 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 guidelines are 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 intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management's time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may also initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.
Nasdaq may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors' ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol "ZBAO." We cannot assure you that our securities continue to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. In order to continue listing our securities on Nasdaq, we must maintain certain financial, distribution and stock price levels. Generally, we must maintain a minimum amount in shareholders' equity (generally $2,500,000) and a minimum number of holders of our securities (generally 300 public holders). We cannot assure you that we will continue to meet those continued listing requirements.
If Nasdaq delists our securities from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
• a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
• reduced liquidity for our securities;
• a determination that our Class A ordinary shares come within the definition of "penny stock" which will require brokers trading in our Class A ordinary shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities;
• a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
• a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
The National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which are referred to as "covered securities." Because our Class A ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq, our Class A ordinary shares are covered securities. Although the states are pre-empted from regulating the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and, if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Our Business" and "Regulation." Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under "Risk Factors," may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
• our dependence on the development, update, upgrade and innovations of insurance solutions and technologies on a timely basis;
• our dependence on growth in the demand for our services;
• our ability to attract and retain B channels and end customers;
• our ability to build stable and health relationships with insurance companies;
• our ability to compete effectively;
• our ability to successfully manage our business expansion in response to changing industry and market conditions;
• implementation of our expansion plans and our ability to obtain capital resources for our planned growth;
• our dependence on key personnel;
• our ability to expand into new businesses and industries, and to undertake mergers, acquisitions, investments or divestments;
• the effect of the Underwriters' stabilization activity or the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option;
• changes in technology and competing services;
• general economic and political conditions, including those related to the insurance brokerage industry;
• possible disruptions in commercial activities caused by events such as natural disasters, terrorist activities;
• fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and
• other factors in the "Risk Factors" section in this prospectus.
These forward-looking statements are subject to various and significant risks and uncertainties, including those which are beyond our control. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should thoroughly read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to herein with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. We disclaim any obligation to update our forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, you are cautioned not to give undue weight to this information.
In addition, the new and rapidly changing nature of the insurance brokerage industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our industry. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Class A ordinary shares upon the conversion of the Note by the Selling Shareholder. However, we will receive proceeds from the exercise of the Common Warrants by the Selling Shareholder to the extent they are exercised for cash. We estimate that the maximum proceeds that we may receive from the exercise of the Common Warrants, assuming the Common Warrant from the First Closing of First Tranche exercisable at an exercise price of $4.71 and the Common Warrant from the Second Closing of First Tranche exercisable at an exercise price of $4.47, and subject to the amount of additional Common Warrants issuable in the Second Tranche under a Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and the Investor, dated as of September 23, 2024 (the "Securities Purchase Agreement") and excluding the nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share for the Pre-Funded Warrants (which may only be exercisable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default as defined in the Note), will be at a minimum $706,472. We do not know, however, whether any of the Common Warrants will be exercised or, if any of the Common Warrants are exercised, when they will be exercised. It is possible that the Common Warrants will expire and never be exercised. There are circumstances under which the Common Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. In these circumstances, even if the Common Warrants are exercised, we may not receive any proceeds, or the proceeds that we do receive may be significantly less than what we might expect. We intend to use the aggregate net proceeds from the exercise of the Common Warrants for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The actual allocation of proceeds realized from the exercise of these Common Warrants will depend upon the amount and timing of such exercises, our operating revenues and cash position at such time and our working capital requirements. The Selling Shareholder will pay any expenses incurred by the Selling Shareholder for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the Selling Shareholder in disposing of its Class A ordinary shares. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our accountants.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and any rights attaching to any class or classes of shares under and in accordance with our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, our board of directors has discretion regarding whether to declare or pay dividends or distributions out of our funds which are lawfully available for that purpose. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, provided that no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Subject to the requirements of the Companies Act regarding the application of a company's share premium account and with the sanction of an ordinary resolution, dividends may also be declared and paid out of any share premium account. The directors when paying dividends to shareholders may make such payment either in cash or in specie. Unless provided by the rights attached to a share, no dividend shall bear interest. All dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend on its shares out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if following such payment the company would be unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of 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 the board of directors may deem relevant.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our shares. We currently do not have any plans to pay cash dividends. Rather, we currently intend to retain all of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and grow our business.
Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
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PRIVATE PLACEMENT
On September 23, 2024, the Company entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement with the Investor. The Securities Purchase Agreement provides for loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $8.0 million under three tranches. On September 23, 2024, upon the First Closing of First Tranche, the investor funded approximately $675,000 (net of original issue discount of 10.0%) in a private placement offering, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Securities Purchase Agreement, and the Investor also agreed to fund (i) in a subsequent closing of the First Tranche, an additional $675,000 (net of original issue discount of 10%), subject to the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement), after the Company provides written confirmation to the Investor that a resale registration statement on Form F-1 has been filed with the SEC for the registration of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note and the exercise of the Common Warrants, and, (ii) in a subsequent closing of the First Tranche, another $900,000 upon the execution of a duly executed DACA and establishment of a DACA account, subject to the satisfaction of the Equity Conditions (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement). The Company and Investor have agreed to consummate an additional financing of $2,500,000 in the Second Tranche after 120 days following effectiveness of the resale registration statement, subject to certain conditions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreement. The Securities Purchase Agreement also contemplates a Third Tranche financing of aggregate of up to $3,000,000, upon the mutual consent of the Investor and Company, after 180 days following the closing date of the Second Tranche.
In consideration for the Investor's funding of the First Closing of First Tranche, on September 23, 2024, the Company issued and sold to the Investor, in a private placement, (i) a Note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $2,500,000, (ii) Common Warrants to purchase up to 74,451 Class A ordinary shares at an initial exercise price of $4.71 per share, subject to certain adjustments, and (iii) a Prefunded Warrant to purchase up to 191,522 Class A ordinary shares (based on $750,000 divided by the 10-day VWAP for the 10 trading day period immediately prior to the First Closing of First Tranche) at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, subject to certain adjustments. Pre-Funded Warrants may only be exercised upon occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note). The Note is initially convertible into Class A ordinary shares at conversion price of $4.71, subject to certain adjustments, the Conversion Price, provided that the Conversion Price shall not be reduced below $0.7616, the Floor Price. The Note does not bear any interest and matures on September 23, 2025. Based in part upon the representations of the Investor in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the placement and sale of such Common Warrant was made in reliance on the exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and corresponding provisions of state securities or "blue sky" laws.
The Common Warrant is exercisable upon issuance at an initial exercise price of $4.71 per share. The exercise price and number of underlying shares of the Common Warrant are subject to certain adjustments, including a reduction in the exercise price and an increase in the number of underlying shares in the event that at any time during the 18-month period following the original issuance date of the Common Warrant, the Company issues, sells or grants any ordinary share and/or ordinary share equivalents at a price per share that is less than the exercise price then in effect, subject to certain exceptions.
Pre-Funded Warrants may only be exercised upon occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Note). The number of shares underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants is subject to potential increase in the event the average daily VWAP for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the first occurrence of an Event of Default is less than the average daily VWAP for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the issuance date of the Pre-Funded Warrants, to a number of Class A ordinary shares determined by dividing (A) $750,000 by (B) the average daily VWAP for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the date of the first occurrence of an Event of Default.
In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement, on September 23, 2024, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the Investor pursuant to which the registrable securities held by the Investor, subject to certain conditions, are entitled to registration under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the Company is required to, within 15 days from September 23, 2024, file with the SEC (at the Company's sole cost and expense) a registration statement to register the registrable securities and to cause such resale registration statement to be effective within 45 days after the filing date of the resale registration statement if the the SEC indicates to the Company that such resale registration statement will be subject to a "limited" review, or within 65 after the filing date of the resale registration statement if the SEC indicates to the Company that such registration statement will be subject to a "full" review.
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To secure the obligations of the Company to repay the Note, on the same date, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a security agreement with the Investor, which granted the Investor a lien and security interest in and to all of the Company's DACA account to be established following the First Closing of First Tranche and any assets of the Company that are or become located in the United States. To guarantee the obligations under the security agreement, on the same day, the Company and its subsidiaries as guarantors also entered into a guarantee agreement. Each guarantor, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the full and prompt payment and performance to the Investor, as primary obligor and not as surety, when due, whether at maturity or by reason of acceleration or otherwise, of any and all of the obligations under the security agreement.
Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Note, the Company is required to reserve and register an aggregate of 4,341,783 Class A ordinary shares in the resale registration statement, which represents 100% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note at a conversion price equal to the Floor Price of $0.7616 per share set forth in the Note and 100% of the total number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Common Warrant to purchase up to 74,451 Class A ordinary shares.
In connection with the consummation of the First Closing of First Tranche, the Company paid $47,250 (representing 7% of gross proceeds) to EF Hutton LLC, the sole placement agent in the Private Placement and $6,750 expenses pursuant to an engagement letter.
On October 1, 2024, pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company received additional $675,000 (net of original issue discount of 10%) in the Second Closing of First Tranche, excluding expenses and commissions. In the Second Closing of First Tranche, the Company issued to the Investor another Common Warrant to purchase up to 79,599 Class A ordinary shares at an initial exercise price of $4.47 per share, subject to certain adjustments. Based in part upon the representations of the Investor in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the placement and sale of such Common Warrant was made in reliance on the exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and corresponding provisions of state securities or "blue sky" laws.
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SELLING SHAREHOLDER
The Class A ordinary shares being offered by the Selling Shareholder are those issuable to the Selling Shareholder upon conversion of the Note and/or exercise of the Warrants. For additional information regarding the issuances of the Note and the Warrants, see "Private Placement" above. We are registering the Class A ordinary shares in order to permit the Selling Shareholder to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the Class A ordinary shares and the Warrants, and as otherwise provided below, the Selling Shareholder has not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.
The table below lists the Selling Shareholder and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder. The second column lists the number of Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Selling Shareholder, based on its ownership of Class A ordinary shares, the Note (assuming the number of Class A ordinary shares which may be received upon conversion of the Note at a conversion price of $0.7616 per share based on the Floor Price), the Common Warrants, and the Prefunded Warrants, as applicable, immediately prior to this offering, assuming the full conversion of the Note, by the Investor, and the full exercise of the applicable Warrants, by the Selling Shareholder for all Class A ordinary shares thereunder, without regard to any limitations on exercises. The third and fourth columns assume the sale of Class A ordinary shares convertible under the Note, and exercisable by the Selling Shareholder under the Warrants, pursuant to this prospectus.
The third column also lists the Class A ordinary shares being registered by this prospectus for the resale of the Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder.
In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the Investor, this prospectus generally covers the resale of the maximum number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note and the exercise of the Warrants by the Investor.
Under the terms of the Note and the Warrants, the Selling Shareholder may not exercise the Warrants nor convert the Note to the extent such exercise would cause such Selling Shareholder, together with its affiliates and attribution parties, to beneficially own a number of Class A ordinary shares which would exceed 4.99% or 9.99%, as applicable, of our then outstanding Class A ordinary shares following such conversion or exercise, as applicable, excluding for purposes of such determination Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note or exercise of such Warrants which have not been exercised. The number of Class A ordinary shares, in the table below, being registered by this prospectus for resale by the Selling Shareholder, does not reflect this limitation. The Selling Shareholder may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See "Plan of Distribution."
Name of Selling Shareholder |
Shares |
Shares |
Shares |
Percentage of |
||||
L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund |
772,425 |
4,421,382 |
- |
- |
____________
(1) Percentages are based on 31,523,765 ordinary shares outstanding as of November 6, 2024.
(2) Beneficial ownership reflects Class A ordinary shares which are convertible under the Note, within the next 60 days, at a Floor Price of $0.7616 per share. Does not include the remaining Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrants and the additional 984,769 Class A ordinary shares underlying the Prefunded Warrants which Prefunded Warrants are only exercisable upon an event of default. All of these securities are subject to a beneficial ownership limitation (the "Beneficial Ownership Limitation") on the Investor's ability to convert the Note and exercise the Warrants, to the extent any such conversion or exercise would cause the Investor to beneficially own more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company, which may be increased to up to 9.99% with 61 days' notice. David Feldman and Joel Arber are the Directors of L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund. As such they may be deemed to be beneficial owners of such Class A ordinary shares. To the extent Mr. Feldman and Mr. Arber are deemed to beneficially own such securities, Mr. Feldman and Mr. Arber disclaim beneficial ownership of these securities for all other purposes. The business address of L1 Capital Global Opportunities Master Fund is 161A Shedden Road, 1 Artillery Court, PO Box 10085, Grand Cayman KY1-1001, Cayman Islands.
(3) Consists of (i) 3,282,563 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon full conversion of the Note, (ii) 154,050 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon full exercise of the Common Warrants, and (iii) 984,769 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the Prefunded Warrants which are only exercisable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default. This reflects 100% of the number of shares (i) convertible under the Note at a conversion price of $0.7616 (the Floor Price under the Note), (ii) exercisable under the Common Warrants, and (iii) exercisable under the Prefunded Warrants, as required to be registered under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the related registration rights agreement between the Company and the Investor. This does not give effect to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Selling Shareholder of the securities and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of its securities covered hereby on the principal trading market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. The Selling Shareholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling securities:
• ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
• block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
• purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;
• an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;
• privately negotiated transactions;
• settlement of short sales;
• in transactions through broker-dealers that agree with the Selling Shareholder to sell a specified number of such securities at a stipulated price per security;
• through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
• a combination of any such methods of sale; or
• any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The Selling Shareholder may also sell securities under Rule 144 or any other exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Shareholder may arrange for other brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from the Selling Shareholder (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of securities, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown in compliance with FINRA Rule 2121.
In connection with the sale of the securities or interests therein, the Selling Shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in tuengage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Shareholder may also sell securities short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the securities to broker-dealers that in tumay sell these securities. The Selling Shareholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or create one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Shareholder and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Selling Shareholder has informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.
The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company incident to the registration of the securities. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Shareholder against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
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We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of: (i) the date that all securities covered by the by the 2024 RRA have been sold, or (ii) the two years after the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective. The resale securities will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale securities covered hereby may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the resale securities may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to the Class A ordinary shares for the applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Shareholder will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of the Class A ordinary shares by the Selling Shareholder or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling Shareholder and have informed it of the need to deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale (including by compliance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We were incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability in order to enjoy the following benefits:
• political and economic stability;
• an effective judicial system;
• a favorable tax system;
• the absence of exchange control or currency restrictions; and
• the availability of professional and support services.
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include, but are not limited to, the following:
• the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and these securities laws provide significantly less protection to investors; and
• Cayman Islands companies may not have the standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.
Our constitutional documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated. Currently, substantially all of our operations are conducted outside the United States, and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. All of our officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Puglisi & Associates, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
Ogier (Cayman) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Jinghe Law Firm, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and China, respectively, would:
• recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained 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 the United States; or
• entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Enforcement of Judgments/Enforcement of Civil Liabilities
We have been advised by our Cayman Islands legal counsel, Ogier (Cayman) LLP, that the courts of the Cayman Islands are unlikely (i) to recognize or enforce judgments of courts of the United States obtained against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any State; and (ii) in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands to impose liabilities against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States, so far as the liabilities imposed by those provisions are penal in nature. In those circumstances, although there is currently no statutory enforcement or treaty between the United States and the Cayman Islands providing for enforcement of judgments obtained in the United States, the courts of the Cayman Islands will recognize and enforce a foreign money judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits based on the principle that a judgment of a competent foreign court imposes upon the judgment debtor an obligation to pay the sum for which judgment has been given provided certain conditions are met. For a foreign judgment to be enforced in the Cayman Islands, such judgment must be final and conclusive given by a court of competent jurisdiction (the courts of the Cayman Islands will apply the rules of Cayman Islands private international
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law to determine whether the foreign court is a court of competent jurisdiction), and must not be in respect of taxes or a fine or penalty, inconsistent with a Cayman Islands judgment in respect of the same matter, impeachable on the grounds of fraud or obtained in a manner, and or be of a kind the enforcement of which is, contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. A Cayman Islands Court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
We have been advised by our PRC counsel, Jinghe Law Firm, that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between different jurisdictions, and PRC courts will not recognize or enforce these foreign judgments if PRC courts believe the foreign judgments violate the basic principles of PRC laws or national sovereignty, security or public interest after review. However, currently, China does not have treaties or reciprocity arrangement providing for recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments ruled by courts in the United States or the Cayman Islands. Thus, it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment ruled by a court in the United States or the Cayman Islands.
Service of process upon Hong Kong-based entities or individuals may be difficult to obtain within the U.S. There is also uncertainty as to whether the courts of Hong Kong would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against these Hong Kong-based entities or individuals predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. or any state in the U.S. or (ii) entertain original actions brought in Hong Kong against these Hong Kong-based entities or individuals predicated upon the securities laws of the U.S. or any state in the U.S. A judgment of a court in the U.S. predicated upon U.S. federal or state securities laws may be enforced in Hong Kong at common law by bringing an action in a Hong Kong court on that judgment for the amount due thereunder and then seeking summary judgment on the strength of the foreign judgment, provided that the foreign judgment, among other things, is (1) for a debt or a definite sum of money (not being taxes or similar charges to a foreign government taxing authority or a fine or other penalty) and (2) final and conclusive on the merits of the claim, but not otherwise. Such a judgment may not, in any event, be so enforced in Hong Kong if (a) it was obtained by fraud; (b) the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (c) its enforcement or recognition would be contrary to the public policy of Hong Kong; (d) the court of the U.S. was not jurisdictionally competent; or (e) the judgment was in conflict with a prior Hong Kong judgment. Hong Kong has no arrangement for the reciprocal enforcement of judgments with the U.S. As a result, there is uncertainty as to the enforceability in Hong Kong, in original actions or in actions for enforcement, of judgments of U.S. courts of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the U.S. or the securities laws of any State or territory within the U.S.
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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE
Corporate History
Zhibao is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated on January 11, 2023. Structured as a holding company with no material operations, Zhibao conducts its operations in China through its PRC Subsidiaries, primarily Zhibao China and Sunshine Insurance Brokers.
We have started our business in the insurance brokerage industry through Zhibao China since 2016. With the growth of our business and in order to facilitate international capital investment in us, we started a reorganization as described below involving new offshore and onshore entities in December 2022 and completed it in March 2023.
Zhibao BVI, incorporated on January 12, 2023 under the laws of British Virgin Islands, is our wholly-owned subsidiary in BVI and a holding company with no business operations, which, in turn, wholly owns all of the equity interest of Zhibao HK, a limited company incorporated on January 19, 2023 under the laws of Hong Kong.
Zhibao HK, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao BVI, is a holding company with no business operations, which, in turn, wholly owns all of the equity interest of Zhibao China. Zhibao China wholly owns Shanghai Anyi and Sunshine Insurance Brokers.
Our PRC Subsidiaries
Our operations in China are primarily conducted by our PRC Subsidiaries. Below is a brief description of our PRC Subsidiaries:
Zhibao China or WFOE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao HK, incorporated in Shanghai under the laws of China on November 24, 2015. Zhibao China was originally named as Shanghai Julai Investment Management Co., Ltd., which was first changed to Zhibao Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in May 2018, and then to Zhibao Technology Co., Ltd. in October 2022. After several rounds of capital increase, it currently has a registered capital of RMB53,974,752, primarily engaged in MGU services.
Shanghai Anyi was incorporated in Shanghai under the laws of China on September 18, 2015, currently with a registered capital of RMB10 million. Shanghai Anyi was originally 100% controlled by Shanghai Xinhui, a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Botao Ma. All of the equity interest of Shanghai Anyi was later transferred to Zhibao China on July 12, 2016, with a consideration of RMB 10 million. After such transfer, Shanghai Anyi became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao China, primarily providing R&D services to Sunshine Insurance Brokers and Zhibao China.
Sunshine Insurance Brokers was incorporated in Shanghai under the laws of China on November 17, 2011, currently with a registered capital of RMB50 million. Sunshine Insurance Brokers was originally 100% controlled by an unrelated third party, all of the equity interest of which was thereafter transferred to Zhibao China on January 4, 2016, with a consideration of RMB 10 million. After such transfer, Sunshine Insurance Brokers became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao China, primarily providing insurance brokerage services. As of the date of this prospectus, Sunshine Insurance Brokers have 10 branches located in Beijing, Guangzhou, Harbin, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jinan, Linyi, Qingdao City, Shenzhen and Yunnan.
Zhibao Health, previously known as Shanghai Zhongzhi Chengcheng Healthy Service Co., Ltd., was incorporated in Shanghai under the laws of China on November 16, 2022, currently with a registered capital of RMB 1 million. Zhibao Health is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao China, primarily engaged in the health management services.
Our Malaysia Subsidiary
Zhibao Labuan Reinsurance was incorporated in Labuan, Malaysia, on July 29, 2024, and received a license approval on October 24, 2024. Zhibao Labuan Reinsurance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhibao BVI, primarily engaged in brokerage and MGU services. As of the date of this prospectus, it has not commenced operation yet.
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Corporate Structure
The chart below summarizes our corporate structure, including our subsidiaries, as of the date of this prospectus:
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2023, and 2024, please read "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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OUR BUSINESS
For a description of our business, please read "Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. There have been no material changes or developments to our business since the filing of our 2024 Annual Report, except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus.
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prc REGULATION
For major regulations that impact our business, please read "Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview - Regulations in PRC" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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MANAGEMENT
For a description of our management, please read "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. There have been no material changes or developments to our management since the filing of our 2024 Annual Report, except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus.
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as of the date of this prospectus, with regard to (i) each person, or group of affiliated persons, known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) each of our named executive officers; and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to those securities. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, the person identified in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by him, subject to applicable community property laws.
As of the date of this prospectus, we had no shareholders of record in the United States. None of our shareholders has informed us that it is affiliated with a registered broker-dealer or is in the business of underwriting securities. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned |
|||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
Class A |
Class B |
Percentage |
||||||
5% or Greater Shareholders (Other Than Executive Officers and Directors): |
|||||||||
Mavy Holdings Limited(3) |
% |
- |
8,932,611 |
50.90 |
% |
||||
Shenbao Limited Partnership(4) |
% |
- |
4,222,959 |
24.06 |
% |
||||
Beijing Koala Kunlu Internet Industry Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) ("Beijing Koala")(5) |
% |
3,661,140 |
- |
1.04 |
% |
||||
Shanghai Xinhui Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Xinhui")(6) |
% |
- |
3,661,122 |
20.86 |
% |
||||
Ningbo Pangu Chuangfu Hefu Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) ("Ningbo Pangu")(8) |
% |
2,091,510 |
- |
0.60 |
% |
||||
Executive Officers and Directors |
|||||||||
Botao Ma(3)(4)(6)(7) |
% |
- |
16,579,977 |
94.47 |
% |
||||
Yuanwen Xia |
- |
- |
- |
||||||
Xiao Luo(11) |
% |
156,108 |
- |
* |
% |
||||
Yugang Wang(11) |
% |
44,601 |
- |
* |
% |
||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (four individuals) |
% |
200,709 |
16,579,977 |
94.52 |
% |
____________
* Less than 1%.
(1) Except as otherwise indicated below, the business address of our directors and executive officers is Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(2) Based on 31,523,765 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of November 6, 2024, consisting of (i) 14,707,073 Class A ordinary shares and (ii) 16,816,692 Class B ordinary shares.
(3) Represents 8,932,611 Class B ordinary shares held by Mavy Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation. Stema Holdings Limited, Mawsix Holdings Limited and Maximum Global Holdings Limited, incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands, are members of Mavy Holdings Limited holding approximately 0.1%, 0.1% and 99.8% shares, respectively, and thus exercise approximately 0.1%, 0.1% and 99.8%, respectively, voting and dispositive power of our Class B ordinary shares held by Mavy Holdings Limited. The 99.8% shares of Mavy Holdings Limited are held by Maximum Global Holdings Limited through Dedao Trust Limited on behalf of a trust (the "MAXIMUM TRUST"), with Mavy Holdings Limited as the settlor and Mr. Botao Ma as the sole contributor of the assets in the MAXIMUM TRUST and the ultimate beneficial owner of the settlor. Mr. Botao Ma and his close family members are the beneficiaries of the MAXIMUM TRUST. MAXIMUM TRUST is a trust established under the laws of Hong Kong and managed by Dedao Trust Limited as original trustee. Mr. Botao Ma, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board, as the sole member of Stema Holdings Limited
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and the ultimate beneficial owner of settlor, indirectly holds approximately 28.31% of our ordinary shares through Mavy Holdings Limited. The address of Mavy Holdings Limited is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(4) Represents 4,222,959 Class B ordinary shares held by Shenbao Limited Partnership, a British Virgin Islands partnership. Mavy Holdings Limited and Little Good Egg Holdings Limited are partners of Shenbao Limited Partnership holding approximately 99.04% and 0.96% partnership interest, respectively, and thus exercise approximately 99.04% and 0.96%, respectively, voting and dispositive power of our Class B ordinary shares held by Shenbao Limited Partnership. Mr. Botao Ma, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board, as the sole member of Stema Holdings Limited and the indirect majority member of Mavy Holdings Limited, indirectly holds approximately 13.26% of our ordinary shares through Shenbao Limited Partnership. The address of Shenbao Limited Partnership is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(5) Represents 3,661,140 Class A ordinary shares held by Beijing Koala, a limited partnership organized under the laws of the PRC. Beijing Koala currently has 17 partners unrelated to the Company and its subsidiaries, and the officers and directors of the Company, each of whom exercises the voting and dispositive power of our Class A ordinary shares held by Beijing Koala based on their capital subscription proportion. The address of Beijing Koala is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(6) Represents 3,661,122 Class B ordinary shares held by Shanghai Xinhui, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC. Mr. Botao Ma, and Ms. Weihan Ma, the daughter of Mr. Botao Ma, are shareholders of Shanghai Xinhui holding 95% and 5%, respectively, equity interest of Shanghai Xinhui, and thus exercise 95% and 5%, respectively, voting and dispositive power of our Class B ordinary shares held by Shanghai Xinhui. Mr. Botao Ma, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board, as the majority shareholder of Shanghai Xinhui, indirectly holds approximately 11.03% of our ordinary shares through Shanghai Xinhui. The address of Shanghai Xinhui is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(7) Represents (i) approximately 8,923,677 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Mavy Holdings Limited, (ii) approximately 4,178,235 Class B ordinary shares indirectly held by Mavy Holdings Limited through its 99.04% partnership interest of Shenbao Limited Partnership, and (iii) approximately 3,478,065 Class B ordinary shares directly held by Shanghai Xinhui. Mr. Botao Ma, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board, as the sole shareholder of Stema Holdings Limited, through Mavy Holdings Limited and Shenbao Limited Partnership, and as the majority shareholder of Shanghai Xinhui, currently indirectly holds approximately 52.60% of our ordinary shares. Mr. Ma, as our major beneficial shareholder, has different voting rights from holders of Class A ordinary shares as he is entitled to twenty votes per Class B ordinary share he holds and each Class B ordinary share he holds can be convertible into one Class A ordinary share at his option at any time. Currently, Mr. Ma will be able to exercise approximately 94.47% of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The address of Mr. Ma, Mavy Holdings Limited and Shenbao Limited Partnership is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(8) Represents 2,091,510 Class A ordinary shares held by Ningbo Pangu, a limited partnership organized under the laws of the PRC. Ningbo Pangu currently has nine partners unrelated to the Company and its subsidiaries, and the officers and directors of the Company, each of whom exercises the voting and dispositive power of our Class A ordinary shares held by Ningbo Pangu based on their capital subscription proportion. The address of Ningbo Pangu is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(9) Represents 156,108 Class A ordinary shares held by Tianze Zihan Holdings Limited ("Tianze"), a British Virgin Islands corporation. Mr. Xiao Luo, our Chief Operating Officer, is the sole shareholder of Tianze holding 100% shares, and thus exercise 100% voting and dispositive power of our Class A ordinary shares held by Tianze. The address of Tianze is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
(10) Represents 44,601 Class A ordinary shares held by ElecJoys Holdings Limited ("ElecJoys"), a British Virgin Islands corporation. Mr. Yugang Wang, our Chief Technology Officer, is the sole shareholder of ElecJoys holding 100% shares, and thus exercise 100% voting and dispositive power of our Class A ordinary shares held by ElecJoys. The address of ElecJoys is c/o Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204.
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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
For a description of related party transactions, please read "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions -B. Related Party Transactions" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. There have been no material changes or developments to our related party transactions since the filing of our 2024 Annual Report, except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES
The following description of our securities and provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time (which we refer to as the Articles below), are summaries and do not purport to be complete. Reference is made to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, copies of which are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, the Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands (which we refer to as the Companies Act below) and the common law of the Cayman Islands.
The previous authorized share capital of the Company was $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.0001 each. On December 12, 2023, our shareholders approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital and to adopt a dual-class share structure through reclassification of our ordinary shares, consisting of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. Each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. On the same date, we amended and restated our then effective memorandum of association and articles of association in their entirety and adopted our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which reflect, among other things, the changes to our capital structure. As a result of the share reclassification, our authorized share capital consisting of 500,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was thus reclassified into (i) 494,394,436 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 5,605,564 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
On February 4, 2024, our shareholders and our director approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital whereby we reclassified 44,394,436 Class A ordinary shares as 44,394,436 Class B ordinary shares and amended our authorized share capital to reflect (i) 450,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each and 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (ii) the issuance of an aggregate of 20,000,000 ordinary shares, at par value of $0.0001, to all existing shareholders on a pro rata basis. On the same date, we amended and restated our then effective amended and restated memorandum of association and articles of association in their entirety and adopted our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which reflect, among other things, the changes to our capital structure. As a result of the changes, our authorized share capital consisting of 500,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was thus reclassified into (i) 450,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
As of the date of this prospectus, 31,523,765 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding, of which 16,816,692 were Class B ordinary shares and 14,707,073 were Class A ordinary shares.
We were incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act on January 11, 2023. A Cayman Islands exempted company:
• is a company that conducts its business mainly outside the Cayman Islands;
• is prohibited from trading in the Cayman Islands with any person, firm or corporation except in furtherance of the business of the exempted company carried on outside the Cayman Islands (and for this purpose can effect and conclude contracts in the Cayman Islands and exercise in the Cayman Islands all of its powers necessary for the carrying on of its business outside the Cayman Islands);
• does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
• does not have to make its register of members open to inspection by shareholders of that company;
• may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation;
• may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
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• may register as a limited duration company; and
• may register as a segregated portfolio company.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our proposed post-offering memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Ordinary Shares
Under our Articles, the holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one (1) vote for each Class A ordinary share held of record and the holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to twenty (20) votes for each Class B ordinary share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders.
Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and any rights and restrictions attaching to any class or series of shares under and in accordance with our articles of association, as amended from time to time:
(a) our board of directors may, from time to time, declare dividends or distributions out of our lawfully available funds. No dividends shall be declared by the board out of our company except the following:
• profits; or
• "share premium account," which represents the excess of the price paid to our company on the issue of its shares over the par or "nominal" value of those shares, which is similar to the U.S. concept of additional paid in capital.
(b) our shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends but no such dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the board of directors.
Subject to the requirements of the Cayman Companies Act regarding the application of a company's share premium account and with the sanction of an ordinary resolution, dividends may also be declared and paid out of any share premium account. The directors when paying dividends to shareholders may make such payment either in cash or in specie.
However, no dividend shall bear interest against our company.
Voting Rights. Holders of our ordinary shares vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, except as may otherwise be required by law. Holders of Class A ordinary shares have the right to one (1) vote per Class A ordinary share and holders of Class B ordinary shares have the right to twenty (20) votes per Class B ordinary share held on any resolution of members. At any general meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided by a poll.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, (i) an ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders who attend and vote at a general meeting of the company; and (ii) a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of at least two-thirds or such higher percentage as set forth in the memorandum and articles of association, of the shareholders being entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting of the company, or by unanimous written consent of shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting. The Companies Act defines "special resolutions" only. A company's memorandum and articles of association can therefore tailor the definition of "ordinary resolutions" as a whole, or with respect to specific provisions. Under our amended and restated articles of association an ordinary resolution must be passed at a general meeting by a simple majority of shareholders who (being entitled to do so) vote in person or by proxy at that meeting. The expression includes a unanimous written resolution.
For the protection of shareholders, certain matters must be approved by special resolution of the shareholders as a matter of Cayman Islands law, including alteration of the memorandum or articles of association, appointment of inspectors to examine company affairs, reduction of share capital (subject, in relevant circumstances, to court approval), change of name, authorization of a plan of merger (other than a merger between a parent and a subsidiary), authorization of a transfer by way of continuation to another jurisdiction or consolidation or voluntary winding up of the company.
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There are no limitations on non-residents or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the ordinary shares imposed by foreign law or by the charter or other constituent documents of our company. However, no person will be entitled to vote at any general meeting or at any separate meeting of the holders of the ordinary shares unless the person is registered as of the record date for such meeting and unless all calls or other sums presently payable by the person in respect of our ordinary shares have been paid.
Winding Up; Liquidation. Under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated articles of association, the company may be wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders, or if the winding up is initiated by our board of directors, by either a special resolution of our members or, if our Company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of our members. In addition, a company may be wound up by an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands. 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.
Upon the winding up of our company, after the full amount that holders of any issued shares ranking senior to the ordinary shares as to distribution on liquidation or winding up are entitled to receive has been paid or set aside for payment, the holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to receive any remaining assets of our company available for distribution as determined by the liquidator. The assets received by the holders of our ordinary shares in a liquidation may consist in whole or in part of a property, which is not required to be of the same kind for all shareholders.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares. Subject to the terms of allotment, the directors may make calls on the shareholders in respect of any monies unpaid on their shares including any premium and each shareholder shall (subject to receiving at least 14 days' written notice specifying when and where payment is to be made), pay to us the amount called on his shares. Shareholders registered as the joint holders of a share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of the share. If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable the person from whom it is due and payable shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at the rate fixed by the terms of allotment of the share or in the notice of the call or if no rate is fixed, at the rate of ten percent per annum. The directors may waive payment of the interest wholly or in part.
We have a first and paramount lien on all shares (whether fully paid up or not) registered in the name of a shareholder (whether solely or jointly with others). The lien is for all monies payable to us by the shareholder or the shareholder's estate:
(a) either alone or jointly with any other person, whether or not that other person is a shareholder; and
(b) whether or not those monies are presently payable.
At any time the directors may declare any share to be wholly or partly exempt from the lien on shares provisions of the amended and restated articles of association.
We may sell, in such manner as the directors may determine, any share on which the sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, if due notice that such sum is payable has been given (as prescribed by the amended and restated articles of association) and, within 14 days of the date on which the notice is deemed to be given under the amended and restated articles of association, such notice has not been complied with.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares. We may issue shares that are, or at our option or at the option of the holders are, subject to redemption on such terms and in such manner as it may, before the issue of the shares, determine. Under the Companies Act, shares of a Cayman Islands company may be redeemed or repurchased out of profits of the company, out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for that purpose or out of capital, provided the memorandum and articles of association authorize this and it has the ability to pay its debts as they come due in the ordinary course of business.
No Preemptive Rights. Holders of ordinary shares will have no preemptive or preferential right to purchase any securities of our company.
Variation of Rights Attaching to Shares. If at any time the share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attaching to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class) may, subject to the memorandum and articles of association, be varied or abrogated with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
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Rights Attaching to Class A Ordinary Shares. Each Class A ordinary share confers on the holder: (a) the right to one (1) vote on any resolution of shareholders; (b) the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company in accordance with the Act; and (c)the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company.
Rights Attaching to Class B Ordinary Shares. Each Class B ordinary share confers on the holder: (a) the right to twenty (20) votes on any resolution of shareholders; (b) the right to an equal share in any dividend paid by the Company in accordance with the Act; (c) the right to an equal share in the distribution of the surplus assets of the Company; and (d) the conversion rights.
Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at the option of the holder of such Class B ordinary share at any time, but Class A ordinary shares shall not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Articles, upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares. Where the Class B ordinary share concerned was fully paid and non-assessable, the Class A ordinary share into which it converted shall be fully paid and non-assessable. A written notice to the Company may specify that the intended conversion shall take effect subject to and with effect from a transfer of the Class B ordinary share concerned, in which case any conversion of such Class B ordinary share shall take effect concurrent with the transfer of the Class B ordinary share.
Alteration of Share Capital. Subject to the Companies Act, we may, by ordinary resolution:
(a) increase our share capital by new shares of the amount fixed by that ordinary resolution and with the attached rights, priorities and privileges set out in that ordinary resolution;
(b) consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of larger amount than our existing shares;
(c) convert all or any of our paid-up shares into stock, and reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination;
(d) sub-divide our shares or any of them into shares of an amount smaller than that fixed, so, however, that in the sub-division, the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; and
(e) cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of that ordinary resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled or, in the case of shares without nominal par value, diminish the number of shares into which our capital is divided.
Subject to the Companies Act and to any rights for the time being conferred on the shareholders holding a particular class of shares, we may, by special resolution, reduce our share capital in any way.
Conversion Rights. Each Class B ordinary share of the Company is convertible into one (1) Class A ordinary share, at the option of the holder of such Class B ordinary share, at any time, upon written notice to the Company, but Class A ordinary shares shall not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Articles, upon any transfer of Class B ordinary shares by a holder to any person or entity other than holders of Class B ordinary shares or their affiliates, such Class B ordinary shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into the equivalent number of Class A ordinary shares.
Transfer of Class A Ordinary Shares. Provided that a transfer of Class A ordinary shares complies with applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, a Class A shareholder may transfer ordinary shares to another person by completing an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form, with respect to Class A ordinary shares, or in a form prescribed by Nasdaq, or in any other form approved by the directors, executed:
(a) where the Class A ordinary shares are fully paid, by or on behalf of that shareholder; and
(b) where the Class A ordinary shares are nil or partly paid, by or on behalf of that shareholder and the transferee.
The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of a Class A ordinary share until the name of the transferee is entered into the register of members of the Company.
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Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any Class A ordinary share that has not been fully paid up or is subject to a company lien. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of such Class A ordinary share unless:
(a) the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate (if any) for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
(b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;
(c) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
(d) the Class A ordinary share transferred is fully paid and free of any lien in favor of us;
(e) any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and
(f) in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the transfer is not to more than four joint holders.
If our directors refuse to register a transfer, they are required, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.
This, however, is unlikely to affect market transactions of the Class A ordinary shares purchased by investors in the public offering. Once the Class A ordinary shares have been listed, the legal title to such Class A ordinary shares and the registration details of those Class A ordinary shares in our register of members will remain with DTC. All market transactions with respect to those Class A ordinary shares will then be carried out without the need for any kind of registration by the directors, as the market transactions will all be conducted through the DTC systems.
The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfers shall not be suspended for more than 45 days in any year.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
Special Considerations for Exempted Companies. We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Act. The 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:
• an exempted company does not have to file an annual retuof its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands (the Registrar);
• an exempted company's register of members is not open to inspection;
• an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
• an exempted company may issue shares with no par value;
• an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);
• an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
• an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and
• an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.
"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).
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Register of Members. Under the Companies Act, we must keep a register of members and there should be entered therein:
• the names and addresses of the members of the Company, a statement of the shares held by each member, which: distinguishes each share by its number (so long as the share has a number); confirms the amount paid, or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member; confirms the number and category of shares held by each member; and confirms whether each relevant category of shares held by a member carries voting rights under the Articles, and if so, whether such voting rights are conditional;
• the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and
• the date on which any person ceased to be a member.
Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our Company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (that is, the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a shareholder registered in the register of members is deemed as a matter of the Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members.
However, there are certain limited circumstances where an application may be made to a Cayman Islands court for a determination on whether the register of members reflects the correct legal position. Further, the Cayman Islands court has the power to order that the register of members maintained by the company should be rectified, where it considers that the register of members does not reflect the correct legal position. If an application for an order for rectification of the register of members were made in respect of our ordinary shares, then the validity of such shares may be subject to re-examination by a Cayman Islands courts.
Preference Shares
The board of directors is empowered to designate and issue from time to time one or more classes or series of preference shares and to fix and determine the relative rights, preferences, designations, qualifications, privileges, options, conversion rights, limitations and other special or relative rights of each such class or series so authorized. Such action could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares or could have the effect of discouraging any attempt by a person or group to obtain control of us.
Common Warrants
Duration and Exercise Price
The Common Warrant to purchase up to 74,451 Class A ordinary shares issued in the First Closing of First Tranche has an initial exercise price of $4.71 per share. The Common Warrant to purchase up to 79,599 Class A ordinary shares issued in the Second Closing of First Tranche has an initial exercise price of $4.47 per share.
The Common Warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and is exercisable for five years after the date of issuance. The exercise price and number of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of share dividends, share splits, or similar events affecting our Class A ordinary shares. Except for certain exceptions, the exercise price is also subject to adjustment in the event of subsequent equity sales by the Company at a price less than the then current exercise price of the Common Warrants.
Exercisability
The Common Warrants are exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of Class A ordinary shares purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). The holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the holder's Common Warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days' prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding Class A ordinary shares after exercising the holder's Common Warrants up to 9.99% of the number of ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Common Warrants.
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Cashless Exercise
If at any time after 90 days after issuance there is not an effective registration statement covering the Class A ordinary shares underlying the Common Warrant, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of Class A ordinary shares determined according to a formula set forth in the Common Warrant.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Common Warrants and generally including any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our Class A ordinary shares, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Common Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each Class A ordinary share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of Class A ordinary shares of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of Class A ordinary shares for which the Common Warrants are exercisable immediately prior to such event.
Transferability
In accordance with its terms and subject to applicable laws, the Common Warrants may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Common Warrants to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).
Fractional Shares
No fractional Class A ordinary shares will be issued upon the exercise of the Common Warrants. Rather, the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded down to the nearest whole number or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.
Trading Market
There is no established trading market for the Common Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for a listing for the Common Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Common Warrants will be limited.
Rights as a Shareholder
Except as otherwise provided in the Common Warrants or by virtue of the holders' ownership of Class A ordinary shares, the holders of Common Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, including any voting rights, until such Common Warrant holders exercise their warrants.
Pre-Funded Warrant
Duration and Exercise Price
The Pre-Funded Warrant will be exercisable at any time on or after the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes) and until the date on which no Notes are outstanding or may be issuable under the Securities Purchase Agreement. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Holder may subscribe for and purchase from the Company up to 191,522 shares (as subject to adjustment thereunder) at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share.
Exercisability
The Pre-Funded Warrant will be exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, at any time on or after the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Notes). The holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the holder's Pre-Funded Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99%
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(or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days' prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding Class A ordinary shares after exercising the holder's ordinary shares up to 9.99% of the number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Common Warrant.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrant and generally including any merger with or into another entity, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, tender offer or exchange offer, or reclassification of our Class A ordinary shares, then upon any subsequent exercise of a Pre-Funded Warrant, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each Class A ordinary share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of Class A ordinary shares of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of Class A ordinary shares for which the Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event.
Transferability
In accordance with its terms and subject to applicable laws, the Pre-Funded Warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the Pre-Funded Warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer and payment of funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes (if applicable).
Fractional Shares
No fractional Class A ordinary shares will be issued upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrant. Rather, the number of Class A ordinary shares to be issued will, at our election, either be rounded up to the nearest whole number or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.
Trading Market
There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for a listing for the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Pre-Funded Warrant will be limited.
Rights as a Shareholder
Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of the holders' ownership of Class A ordinary shares, the holders of Pre-Funded Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our Class A ordinary shares, including any voting rights, until such Pre-Funded Warrant holders exercise their warrants.
Note
Principal and Maturity
The Note was issued in the principal amount of $2,500,000, with a 10% Original Issue Discount ("OID") of $250,000. The Note is initially convertible into Class A ordinary shares at conversion price of $4.71, subject to certain adjustments (the "Conversion Price"), provided that the Conversion Price shall not be reduced below $0.7616 (the "Floor Price"). The Note does not bear any interest and matures on September 23, 2025.
Payment of the Outstanding Principal Amount
Commencing on the earlier of (i) the day that is the 60-day anniversary after September 23, 2024 and (ii) the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, the Company is required to pay to the holder the outstanding principal balance under the Note in monthly installments, on such date and each one (1) month anniversary thereof, in an amount equal to 105% of the total principal amount multiplied by the quotient determined by dividing one by the number of months remaining until the maturity date of the Note, until the outstanding principal
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amount has been paid in full or, if earlier, upon acceleration, conversion or redemption of the Note in accordance with its terms. All monthly payments are payable the Company, in cash, provided that under certain circumstances, as provided in the Note, the Company may elect to pay in Class A ordinary shares.
Prepayment
The Company may not repay any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Note.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation
The Note may not be converted to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares immediately after conversion, except that upon at least 61 days' prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding Class A ordinary shares after converting the Note up to 9.99% of the number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the conversion, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Note.
Events of Default
Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in the Note), interest shall accrue on the Note at a rate equal to 10% per annum or, if less, the highest amount permitted by law. In addition, upon the occurrence of Event of Default, which has not been cured within any applicable cure period, interest is also payable at the "Mandatory Default Amount" (i.e. 120% of the sum of (i) the outstanding principal balance of the Note on the date on which the first Event of Default has occurred and (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Furthermore, if an Event of Default in not cured, the Investor also shall have the right to convert the Mandatory Default Amount, upon the terms provided in the Note.
Security
As collateral for the obligations under the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Note, the Company has granted to the holder a senior security interest in all of the Company's current and future assets, if any, (inclusive of intellectual property) in the United States and an account in connection with a duly executed deposit account control agreement ("DACA") subject to certain exceptions, as set forth in the Security Agreement (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement).
Comparison of Cayman Islands Corporate Law and U.S. Corporate Law
Cayman Islands companies are governed by the Companies Act. The Companies Act is modeled on English Law but does not follow recent English Law statutory enactments, and accordingly there are significant differences between the Companies Act and the current Companies Act of England and Wales. In addition, the 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 Companies Act applicable to us and the comparable laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
In certain circumstances the Cayman Islands Companies Act allows for mergers or consolidations between two Cayman Islands companies, or between a Cayman Islands company and a company incorporated in another jurisdiction (provided that is facilitated by the laws of that other jurisdiction). 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 consolidated combined company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies into the consolidated company.
Where the merger or consolidation is between two Cayman Islands companies, the directors of each company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation containing certain prescribed information. That plan or merger or consolidation must then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each company; or (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company's articles of association. The
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written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands together with, among other documents, a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company, and (unless the surviving or consolidated company is to be a non-Cayman Islands company) an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members 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 effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
A shareholder has the right to vote on a merger or consolidation regardless of whether the shares that he holds otherwise give him voting rights. No shareholder resolution is required for a merger between a parent company (i.e., a company that owns at least 90% of the issued shares entitled to vote of each class in a subsidiary company) and its subsidiary company, provided that a copy of the plan of merger is given to every member of each subsidiary company to be merged unless the member agrees otherwise.
The consent of each holder of a fixed or floating security interest of a constituent company must be obtained, unless the court waives such requirement. If the Registrar is satisfied that the requirements of the Companies Act (which includes certain other formalities) have been complied with, the Registrar will register the plan of merger or consolidation.
Where the merger or consolidation involves a foreign company, the procedure is similar, save that with respect to the foreign company, the director of the Cayman Islands company is required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, he is of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the merger or consolidation is permitted or not prohibited by the constitutional documents of the foreign company and by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign company is incorporated, and that those laws and any requirements of those constitutional documents have been or will be complied with; (ii) that no petition or other similar proceeding has been filed and remains outstanding or order made or resolution adopted to wind up or liquidate the foreign company in any jurisdictions; (iii) that no receiver, trustee, administrator or other similar person has been appointed in any jurisdiction and is acting in respect of the foreign company, its affairs or its property or any part thereof; (iv) that no scheme, order, compromise or other similar arrangement has been entered into or made in any jurisdiction whereby the rights of creditors of the foreign company are and continue to be suspended or restricted.
Where the surviving company is the Cayman Islands company, the director of the Cayman Islands company is further required to make a declaration to the effect that, having made due enquiry, he is of the opinion that the requirements set out below have been met: (i) that the foreign company is able to pay its debts as they fall due and that the merger or consolidated is bona fide and not intended to defraud unsecured creditors of the foreign company; (ii) that in respect of the transfer of any security interest granted by the foreign company to the surviving or consolidated company (a) consent or approval to the transfer has been obtained, released or waived; (b) the transfer is permitted by and has been approved in accordance with the constitutional documents of the foreign company; and (c) the laws of the jurisdiction of the foreign company with respect to the transfer have been or will be complied with; (iii) that the foreign company will, upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, cease to be incorporated, registered or exist under the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction; and (iv) that there is no other reason why it would be against the public interest to permit the merger or consolidation.
Where the above procedures are adopted, the Companies Act provides for a right of dissenting shareholders to be paid a payment of the fair value of his shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) upon their dissenting to the merger or consolidation if they follow a prescribed procedure. In essence, that procedure is as follows (a) the shareholder must give his written objection to the merger or consolidation to the constituent company before the vote on the merger or consolidation, including a statement that the shareholder proposes to demand payment for his shares if the merger or consolidation is authorized by the vote; (b) within 20 days following the date on which the merger or consolidation is approved by the shareholders, the constituent company must give written notice to each shareholder who made a written objection; (c) a shareholder must within 20 days following receipt of such notice from the constituent company, give the constituent company a written notice of his intention to dissent including, among other details, a demand for payment of the fair value of his shares; (d) within seven days following the date of the expiration of the period set out in paragraph (b) above or seven days following the date on which the plan of merger or consolidation is filed, whichever is later, the constituent company, the surviving company or the consolidated company must make a written offer to each dissenting shareholder to purchase his shares at a price that the company determines is the fair value and if the company and the shareholder agree on the price
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within 30 days following the date on which the offer was made, the company must pay the shareholder such amount; (e) if the company and the shareholder fail to agree on a price within such 30 day period, within 20 days following the date on which such 30 day period expires, the company (and any dissenting shareholder) must file a petition with the Cayman Islands Grand Court to determine the fair value and such petition must be accompanied by a list of the names and addresses of the dissenting shareholders with whom agreements as to the fair value of their shares have not been reached by the company. At the hearing of that petition, the court has the power to determine the fair value of the shares together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid by the company upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Any dissenting shareholder whose name appears on the list filed by the company may participate fully in all proceedings until the determination of fair value is reached. These rights of a dissenting shareholder are not be available in certain circumstances, for example, to dissenters holding shares of any class in respect of which an open market exists on a recognized stock exchange or recognized interdealer quotation system at the relevant date or where the consideration for such shares to be contributed are shares of any company listed on a national securities exchange or shares of the surviving or consolidated company.
Moreover, Cayman Islands law also has separate statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction or amalgamation of companies in certain circumstances, schemes of arrangement will generally be more suited for complex mergers or other transactions involving widely held companies, commonly referred to in the Cayman Islands as a "scheme of arrangement" which may be tantamount to a merger. In the event that a merger was sought pursuant to a scheme of arrangement (the procedure of which are more rigorous and take longer to complete than the procedures typically required to consummate a merger in the United States), the arrangement in question must be approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such 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 meeting summoned for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the terms of the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder would have the right to express to the court the view that the transaction should not be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it satisfies itself that:
• we are not proposing to act illegally or beyond the scope of our corporate authority and the statutory provisions as to majority vote have been complied with;
• the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;
• the arrangement is such that a business person would reasonably approve by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and
• the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act or that would amount to a "fraud on the minority."
If a scheme of arrangement or takeover offer (as described below) is approved, any dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of United States corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.
Squeeze-out Provisions
The Companies Act contains a statutory power of compulsory acquisition which may facilitate the "squeeze out" of dissentient minority shareholders upon a tender offer. When a tender offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares to whom the offer is made within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares to the offeror on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith, collusion or inequitable treatment of the shareholders.
Further, transactions similar to a merger, reconstruction and/or an amalgamation may in some circumstances be achieved through other means to these statutory provisions, such as a share capital exchange, asset acquisition or control, through contractual arrangements, of an operating business.
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Shareholders' Suits
Ogier (Cayman) LLP, our Cayman Islands legal counsel, is not aware of any reported class action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts, and the Cayman Islands courts have confirmed the availability for such actions. In most cases, we will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to us, and a claim against (for example) our officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:
• a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority and is therefore incapable of ratification by the shareholders;
• an irregularity in the passing of a resolution which requires a qualified majority;
• an act purporting to abridge or abolish the individual rights of a member; and
• those who control the company are perpetrating a "fraud on the minority."
A shareholder may have a direct right of action against us where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company's memorandum and 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 fraud or the consequences of committing a crime, or against the indemnified person's own fraud or willful default. Our amended and restated articles of association provide to the extent permitted by law, we 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:
(a) all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages, or liabilities incurred or sustained by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary, or officer in or about the conduct of our business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary's or officer's duties, powers, authorities, or discretions; and
(b) without limitation to paragraph (a) above, all costs, expenses, losses, or liabilities incurred by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary, or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative proceedings (whether threatened, pending or completed) concerning us or our affairs in any court or tribunal, whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
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 our officers 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.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty or fraud of such directors or officers.
This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, our offer letters to our independent directors and our employment agreements with our executive officers provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time.
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers 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 General Corporation 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 of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director acts in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He must not use his 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, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
Under Cayman Islands law, all of our directors owe three types of duties to us: (i) statutory duties, (ii) fiduciary duties, and (iii) common law duties. The Companies Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands 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, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended and restated articles of association. We have the right to seek damages if a duty owed by any of our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
• appointing officers and determining the term of office of the officers;
• exercising the borrowing powers of the Company and mortgaging the property of the Company; and
• maintaining or registering a register of mortgages, charges, or other encumbrances of the Company.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent in its certificate of incorporation. Our amended and restated articles of association provide that shareholders may not approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual general meeting, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. An extraordinary general 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.
Cayman Islands law 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. Our amended and restated articles of association provide that general
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meetings shall be convened on the written requisition of one or more of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at our general meetings who (together) hold not less than 10 percent of the rights to vote at such general meeting in accordance with the notice provisions in the amended and restated articles of association, specifying the purpose of the meeting and signed by each of the shareholders making the requisition. If the directors do not convene such meeting for a date not later than 21 days' after the date of receipt of the written requisition, those shareholders who requested the meeting may convene the general meeting themselves within 30 days after the end of such period of 21 days in which case reasonable expenses incurred by them as a result of the directors failing to convene a meeting shall be reimbursed by us. Our amended and restated articles of association provide no other right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obligated by law to call shareholders' annual general meetings.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, 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. There are no prohibitions in relation to cumulative voting under the Companies Act but our amended and restated articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any fewer protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Subject to the provisions of our amended and restated articles of association (which include the removal of a director by ordinary resolution), the office of a director may be terminated forthwith if (a) he is prohibited by the laws of the Cayman Islands from acting as a director, (b) he is made bankrupt or makes an arrangement or composition with his creditors generally, (c) he resigns his office by notice to us, (d) he only held office as a director for a fixed term and such term expires, (e) in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner by whom he is being treated he becomes physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director, (f) he is given notice by the majority of the other directors (not being less than two in number) to vacate office (without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of any agreement relating to the provision of the services of such director), (g) he is made subject to any law relating to mental health or incompetence, whether by court order or otherwise, or (h) without the consent of the other directors, he is absent from meetings of directors for continuous period of six months.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute in 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 share 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 the 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.
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Dissolution; Winding up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, 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 and our amended and restated articles of association, the company may be wound up by a special resolution of our shareholders, or if the winding up is initiated by our board of directors, by either a special resolution of our members or, if our Company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of our members. In addition, a company may be wound up by an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands. 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.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, 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 Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class with the written consent of the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation's governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may only be amended with a special resolution of our shareholders.
Anti-Money Laundering - Cayman Islands
In order to comply with legislation or regulations aimed at the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, we are required to adopt and maintain anti-money laundering procedures and will require subscribers to provide information and evidence to verify their identity, address 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 and evidence as is necessary to verify the identity, address and source of funds of a subscriber. 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 will not be liable for any loss suffered by a subscriber arising as a result of a refusal of, or delay in processing, an application from a subscriber if such information and documentation requested has not been provided by the subscriber in a timely manner.
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 resident in the Cayman Islands knows or suspects or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaged in criminal conduct or is involved with terrorism or terrorist property and the information for that knowledge or suspicion came to their attention in the course of their 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),
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if the disclosure relates to criminal conduct or money laundering or (ii) to the Financial Reporting Authority or a police constable or a nominated officer (pursuant to the Terrorism Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands), if the disclosure relates to involvement with terrorism or terrorist financing and terrorist 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.
By subscribing for shares, the subscriber consents to the disclosure of any information about them to regulators and others upon request in connection with money laundering and similar matters both in the Cayman Islands and in other jurisdictions.
Economic Substance Legislation of The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands, together with several other non-European Union jurisdictions, have introduced legislation aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Council of the European Union and the OECD as to offshore structures engaged in certain activities which attract profits without real economic activity. The International Tax Co-operation (Economic Substance) Act (Revised) (the "Substance Act") came into force in the Cayman Islands in January 2019, introducing certain economic substance requirements for in-scope Cayman Islands entities which are engaged in certain geographically mobile business activities ("relevant activities"). As we are a Cayman Islands exempted company, compliance obligations include filing annual notifications, in which need to state whether we are carrying out any relevant activities and if so, whether we have satisfied economic substance tests to the extent required under the Substance Act. It is anticipated that our company will not be engaging in any "relevant activities" and will therefore not be required to meet the economic substance requirements tests or will otherwise be subject to more limited substance requirements. However, it is anticipated that the Substance Act will evolve and be subject to further clarification and amendments. Failure to satisfy applicable requirements may subject us to penalties under the Substance Act.
Data Protection - Cayman Islands
We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the "DPA") based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.
Data Protection in the Cayman Islands - Privacy Notice
This privacy notice explains the manner in which we collect, process, and maintain personal data about investors of the Company pursuant to the Data Protection Act (Revised) of the Cayman Islands, as amended from time to time and any regulations, codes of practice, or orders promulgated pursuant thereto (the "DPA").
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 data for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us. For the purposes of this privacy notice, "you" or "your" shall mean the subscriber and shall also include any individual connected to the subscriber.
By virtue of your investment in the Company, 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. We may combine personal data that you provide to use with personal data that we collect from, or about you. This may include personal data collected in an online or offline context including from credit reference agencies and other available public databases or data sources, such as news outlines, websites and other media sources and international sanctions lists.
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, 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, or (d) where you otherwise consent to the processing of personal data for any specific purpose. As a data controller, we will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it. If we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose, we will contact you.
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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 the Company 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.
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 transmit this document to those individuals for their awareness and consideration.
You have certain rights under the DPA, including (a) the right to be informed as to how we collect and use 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 do not wish to provide us with requested personal data or subsequently withdraw your consent, you may not be able to invest in the Company or remain invested in the Company as it will affect the Company' ability to manage your investment.
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 email at [email protected] or by accessing their website at ombudsman.ky.
History of Securities Issuances
The Company's previous authorized share capital was 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of $0.0001 per share. On January 11, 2023, the Company issued 6,492,266 ordinary shares, at par value of $0.0001, to all then existing shareholders. All shareholders were BVI incorporated entities.
Initially one ordinary share was issued to Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, and then transferred to Mavy Holdings Limited on January 11, 2023. At that time Mavy Holdings Limited held 3,277,537 ordinary shares which comprised of 32.7754% of the shareholding of the Company. On June 26, 2023, Mavy Holdings Limited transferred 300,000 ordinary shares to Mangosteen International Consulting PTE. Ltd. As a result Mavy Holdings Limited currently holds 2,977,537 ordinary shares (29.7754% shareholding) and Mangosteen International Consulting PTE. Ltd holds 300,000 ordinary shares which is a 3% shareholding.
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Carp International Holdings Limited holds 81,770 ordinary shares (0.8177% shareholding), Talent Fuhwa Holdings Limited holds 148,673 ordinary shares (1.4867% shareholding). Liji Holdings Limited, Tecool Holdings Limited and Tomy Holdings Limited each hold 44,602 ordinary shares (0.4460% shareholding each). Feix Holdings Limited holds 178,408 ordinary shares (1.7841% shareholding) and HMcQ Holdings Limited holds 22,301 ordinary shares (0.2230% shareholding).
ElecJoys Holdings Limited holds 14,867 ordinary shares (0.1487% shareholding), Black Tide International Holdings Limited holds 85,472 ordinary shares (0.8547% shareholding), Fanyi Holdings Limited holds 56,981 ordinary shares (0.5698% shareholding), Sam Stone Holdings Limited holds 187,125 ordinary shares (1.8713% shareholding) and Boran Holdings Limited holds 81,359 ordinary shares (0.8136% shareholding). Changjiang Ming Holdings Limited holds 374,249 ordinary shares (3.7425% shareholding) and Shenbao Limited Partnership holds 1,407,653 ordinary shares (14.0765% shareholding).
On May 24, 2023, the Company issued 1,220,380 ordinary shares to Beijing Koala Kunlu Internet Industry Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) (12.2038% shareholding), 1,220,374 ordinary shares to Shanghai Xinhui Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. (12.2037% shareholding), 369,810 ordinary shares to Beijing 1898 Youchuang Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (3.6981% shareholding) and 697,170 ordinary shares to Ningbo Pangu Chuangfu Hefu Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (6.9717% shareholding).
On December 12, 2023, our shareholders approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital and to adopt a dual-class share structure through reclassification of our ordinary shares, consisting of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. Each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. As a result of the share reclassification, the Company's authorized share capital consisting of 500,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was thus reclassified into (i) 494,394,436 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 5,605,564 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, with details as below:
(i) 2,977,537 ordinary shares in the Company held by Mavy Holdings Limited were reclassified as 2,977,537 Class B ordinary shares;
(ii) 1,407,653 ordinary shares in the Company held by Shenbao Limited Partnership were reclassified as 1,407, 653 Class B ordinary shares;
(iii) 1,220,374 ordinary shares in the Company held by Shanghai Xinhui Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. were reclassified as 1,220,374 Class B ordinary shares; and
(iv) the remaining ordinary shares held by the other shareholders of the Company were reclassified as Class A ordinary shares.
On February 4, 2024, our shareholders and our director approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital whereby we reclassified 44,394,436 Class A ordinary shares as 44,394,436 Class B ordinary shares and amended our authorized share capital to reflect (i) 450,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each and 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (ii) the issuance of an aggregate of 20,000,000 ordinary shares, at par value of $0.0001, to all existing shareholders on a pro rata basis.
As of the date of this prospectus, 31,523,765 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding, of which 16,816,692 were Class B ordinary shares and 14,707,073 were Class A ordinary shares.
Listing
Our Class A ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "ZBAO."
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrar's address is 1 State Street, 30th floor, New York, NY 10004.
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TAXATION
For a description of our taxation, please read "Item 10. Additional Information - E Taxation" in our 2024 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. There have been no material changes or developments to our taxation since the filing of our 2024 Annual Report, except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus.
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LEGAL MATTERS
We are being represented by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP with respect to certain legal matters as to United States federal securities and New York State law. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares offered hereby and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Ogier (Cayman) LLP. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Jinghe Law Firm. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP may rely upon Ogier (Cayman) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Jinghe Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of our company as of June 30, 2023 and 2024, and for each of the years in the period then ended included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The office of Marcum Asia CPAs LLP is located at Seven Penn Plaza, Suite 830, New York, NY 10001.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the Class A ordinary shares offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us and the Class A ordinary shares offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. We are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance with this law, file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information are available at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at https://www.zhibao-tech.com/. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus is a part, we become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to us at Floor 3, Building 6, Lane 727, Wuxing Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204., or call us at +86 (21)-5089-6502. We also maintain a website at https://www.zhibao-tech.com/, at which, following the completion of this offering, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained in, and that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated into and is not part of this prospectus.
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MATERIAL CHANGES
Except as otherwise described in the 2024 Annual Report, in our reports of foreign private issuer on Form 6-K filed or submitted under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein, and as disclosed in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, no reportable material changes have occurred since June 30, 2024.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (1) after the date of the initial registration statement, as amended, and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (2) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering. Such information will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus and the documents listed below:
• our 2024 Annual Report filed with the SEC on October 31, 2024; and
• our report of foreign private issuer on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on October 2, 2024.
All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the prospectus. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement.
The information relating to us contained in this prospectus does not purport to be comprehensive and should be read together with the information contained in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
As you read the above documents, you may find inconsistencies in information from one document to another. If you find inconsistencies between the documents and this prospectus, you should rely on the statements made in the most recent document. All information appearing in this prospectus is qualified in its entirety by the information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, contained in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, at no cost, upon written or oral request to us at the following address:
Zhibao Technology Inc.
Address: Floor 3, Building 6, Wuxing Road, Lane 72
Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, 201204
Tel: +86 (21) -5089-6502
Attention: Yuanwen Xia, Chief Financial Officer
Email: [email protected]
You also may access the incorporated reports and other documents referenced above on our website at www.zhibao-tech.com. The information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. You may access our annual reports on Form 20-F, current reports on Form 6-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Selling Shareholder is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus, or such earlier date, that is indicated in this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
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 fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and restated articles of association, which will become effective upon or before completion of this offering, provide that, to the extent permitted by law, we shall indemnify each existing or former secretary, director (including alternate director's), and any of our other officers (including an investment adviser or an administrator or liquidator) and their personal representatives against:
(a) all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, expenses, losses, damages or liabilities incurred or sustained by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer in or about the conduct of our business or affairs or in the execution or discharge of the existing or former director's (including alternate director), secretary's or officer's duties, powers, authorities or discretions; and
(b) without limitation to paragraph (a) above, all costs, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred by the existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer in defending (whether successfully or otherwise) any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings (whether threatened, pending or completed) concerning us or our affairs in any court or tribunal, whether in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere.
No such existing or former director (including alternate director), secretary or officer, however, shall be indemnified in respect of any matter arising out of their own dishonesty.
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 our officers in respect of any matter identified in the 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.
Pursuant to our offer letters to directors and employment agreements with executive officers, we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or executive officer.
The form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers 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.
ITEM 7. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
During the past three years, we have issued the following unregistered securities. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act regarding transactions not involving a public offering, or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act regarding sales by an issuer in offshore transactions. No underwriters were involved in these issuances of ordinary shares.
The Company's previous authorized share capital was 500,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001. On January 11, 2023, the Company issued 6,492,266 ordinary shares, at par value of $0.0001, to all then existing shareholders. All shareholders were BVI incorporated entities.
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Initially one ordinary share was issued to Sertus Nominees (Cayman) Limited, and then transferred to Mavy Holdings Limited on January 11, 2023. At that time Mavy Holdings Limited held 3,277,537 ordinary shares which comprised of 32.7754% of the shareholding of the Company. On June 26, 2023, Mavy Holdings Limited transferred 300,000 ordinary shares to Mangosteen International Consulting PTE. Ltd. As a result Mavy Holdings Limited currently holds 2,977,537 ordinary shares (29.7754% shareholding) and Mangosteen International Consulting PTE. Ltd holds 300,000 ordinary shares which is a 3% shareholding.
Carp International Holdings Limited holds 81,770 ordinary shares (0.8177% shareholding), Talent Fuhwa Holdings Limited holds 148,673 ordinary shares (1.4867% shareholding). Liji Holdings Limited, Tecool Holdings Limited and Tomy Holdings Limited each hold 44,602 ordinary shares (0.4460% shareholding each). Feix Holdings Limited holds 178,408 ordinary shares (1.7841% shareholding) and HMcQ Holdings Limited holds 22,301 ordinary shares (0.2230% shareholding).
ElecJoys Holdings Limited holds 14,867 ordinary shares (0.1487% shareholding), Black Tide International Holdings Limited holds 85,472 ordinary shares (0.8547% shareholding), Fanyi Holdings Limited holds 56,981 ordinary shares (0.5698% shareholding), Sam Stone Holdings Limited holds 187,125 ordinary shares (1.8713% shareholding) and Boran Holdings Limited holds 81,359 ordinary shares (0.8136% shareholding). Changjiang Ming Holdings Limited holds 374,249 ordinary shares (3.7425% shareholding) and Shenbao Limited Partnership holds 1,407,653 ordinary shares (14.0765% shareholding).
On May 24, 2023, the Company issued 1,220,380 ordinary shares to Beijing Koala Kunlu Internet Industry Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) (12.2038% shareholding), 1,220,374 ordinary shares to Shanghai Xinhui Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. (12.2037% shareholding), 369,810 ordinary shares to Beijing 1898 Youchuang Investment Center (Limited Partnership) (3.6981% shareholding) and 697,170 ordinary shares to Ningbo Pangu Chuangfu Hefu Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) (6.9717% shareholding).
On December 12, 2023, our shareholders approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital and to adopt a dual-class share structure through reclassification of our ordinary shares, consisting of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. Each Class B ordinary share is entitled to twenty (20) votes per share on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of our company. As a result of the share reclassification, the Company's authorized share capital consisting of 500,000,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was thus reclassified into (i) 494,394,436 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share; and (ii) 5,605,564 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share, with details as below:
(i) 2,977,537 ordinary shares in the Company held by Mavy Holdings Limited were reclassified as 2,977,537 Class B ordinary shares;
(ii) 1,407,653 ordinary shares in the Company held by Shenbao Limited Partnership were reclassified as 1,407, 653 Class B ordinary shares;
(iii) 1,220,374 ordinary shares in the Company held by Shanghai Xinhui Investment Consulting Co., Ltd. were reclassified as 1,220,374 Class B ordinary shares; and
(iv) the remaining ordinary shares held by the other shareholders of the Company were reclassified as Class A ordinary shares.
On February 4, 2024, our shareholders approved, among other things, to adjust our authorized share capital whereby we reclassified 44,394,436 Class A ordinary shares as 44,394,436 Class B ordinary shares and amended our authorized share capital to reflect (i) 450,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each and 50,000,000 Class B ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and (ii) the issuance of an aggregate of 20,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, at par value of $0.0001, to all existing shareholders on a pro rata basis.
On September 23, 2024, the Company issued and sold to the Investor, in the Private Placement, (i) a Note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $2,500,000, convertible into up to 3,282,563 Class A ordinary shares at conversion price of $4.71, subject to certain adjustments; (ii) a Common Warrant to purchase up to 74,451 Class A ordinary shares at an initial exercise price of $4.71 per share, subject to certain adjustments, and (iii) a
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Pre-Funded Warrant to purchase up to 191,522 Class A ordinary shares (based on $750,000 divided by the 10-day VWAP for the 10 trading day period immediately prior to the First Closing of First Tranche) at a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
On October 1, 2024, in the Second Closing of First Tranche, the Company issued to the Investor a Common Warrant to purchase up to 79,599 Class A ordinary shares Class A ordinary shares at an initial exercise price of $4.47 per Ordinary Share, subject to certain adjustments.
As of the date of this prospectus, 31,523,765 ordinary shares were issued and outstanding, of which 16,816,692 were Class B ordinary shares and 14,707,073 were Class A ordinary shares.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
a) Exhibits
See Exhibit Index beginning on page II-7 of this registration statement.
The agreements included as exhibits to this registration statement contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosure that was made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of "materiality" that are different from "materiality" under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.
We acknowledge that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, we are responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosure of material information regarding material contractual provisions is required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.
b) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in our consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
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(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(4) For the purpose of determining any liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Shanghai, China, on November 14, 2024.
Zhibao Technology Inc. |
||||||
By: |
/s/ Botao Ma |
|||||
Name: |
Botao Ma |
|||||
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Botao Ma |
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Board |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Botao Ma |
of Directors (principal executive officer) |
|||
/s/ Yuanwen Xia |
Chief Financial Officer and Director |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Yuanwen Xia |
(principal financial and accounting officer) |
|||
/s/ Xiao Luo |
Chief Operating Officer |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Xiao Luo |
||||
/s/ Yugang Wang |
Chief Technology Officer |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Yugang Wang |
||||
/s/ Michael A. Lucki |
Director |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Michael A. Lucki |
||||
/s/ Armando Baez |
Director |
November 14, 2024 |
||
Armando Baez |
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SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Zhibao Technology Inc., has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto in Newark, Delaware on November 14, 2024.
Puglisi & Associates |
||||||
By: |
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi |
|||||
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|||||
Title: |
Managing Director |
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ZHIBAO TECHNOLOGY INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description of Document |
|
3.1 |
||
4.1 |
||
4.2 |
||
4.3 |
||
4.4 |
||
5.1** |
Opinion of Ogier (Cayman) LLP regarding the validity of the Class A ordinary shares being registered |
|
8.1** |
Opinion of Ogier (Cayman) LLP regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters (included in Exhibit 5.1) |
|
8.2* |
Opinion of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP regarding certain U.S. tax matters |
|
10.1 |
||
10.2 |
||
10.3 |
||
10.4 |
||
10.5 |
||
10.6 |
||
10.7 |
||
10.8 |
||
10.9 |
||
10.10 |
||
10.11 |
||
10.12 |
||
10.13 |
II-7
Exhibit |
Description of Document |
|
10.14 |
||
10.15*+^ |
||
10.16*+^ |
||
21.1 |
||
23.1** |
||
23.2** |
||
23.3** |
||
23.4* |
Consent of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (included in Exhibit 8.2) |
|
24.1* |
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page to Registration Statement on Form F-1) |
|
99.1 |
||
99.2* |
||
99.3* |
||
99.4* |
||
99.5* |
||
99.6** |
Opinion of Jinghe Law Firm regarding certain PRC law matters |
|
99.7* |
||
107** |
____________
* Previously Filed
** Filed herewith.
+ Certain portions of this exhibit are omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulations S-K because they are not material and are the type that the registrant treats as private or confidential. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted portion to the SEC upon request.
^ Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(6) of Regulations S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted portion to the SEC upon request.
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Attachments
Disclaimer
Zhibao Technology Inc. published this content on November 14, 2024, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on November 14, 2024 at 23:31:33.710.
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