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Datasea Inc (DTSS)
NASDAQ:DTSS
Risk Overview Q2, 2024
Risk Distribution
41% Finance & Corporate
30% Legal & Regulatory
11% Production
9% Tech & Innovation
9% Macro & Political
0% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Datasea Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2024
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 22 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 22 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
54
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
54
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
2Risks changed
Since Jun 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
2Risks changed
Since Jun 2024
Number of Risk Changed
2
-2
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 3
2
-2
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Datasea in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 54
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 22/54 (41%)Above Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights14 | 25.9%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Our common stock may be considered a "penny stock," and thereby be subject to additional sale and trading regulations that may make it more difficult to sell.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Our common stock is thinly traded and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.Our common stock is "thinly-traded," meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
The market price for our common stock may be volatile.The market price for our common stock may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations due to factors such as:
- the perception of U.S. investors and regulators of U.S. listed Chinese companies; - actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; - changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;- negative publicity, studies or reports; - conditions in Chinese and global cybersecurity product markets; - our capability to match and compete with technology innovations in the industry;- changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other companies in the same industry; - announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; - addition or departure of key personnel; - fluctuations of exchange rates between RMB and the U.S. dollar; and - general economic or political conditions in or impacting China.
In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
An active and visible trading market for our common stock may not develop.We cannot predict whether an active market for our common stock will develop in the future. In the absence of an active trading market:
- Investors may have difficulty buying and selling or obtaining market quotations;- Market visibility for our common stock may be limited; and - A lack of visibility for our common stock may have a depressive effect on the market price for our common stock.
The trading price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to variations in quarterly operating results, changes in analysts' earnings estimates, announcements of innovations by us or our competitors, general conditions in the industry in which we operate and other factors. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, may have a material or adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
Our majority stockholders will control our Company for the foreseeable future, including the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval.Our officers and directors collectively hold approximately 50.4% beneficial ownership of our Company. Two directors are members of the same family. As a result, such individuals will have the ability, acting together, to control the election of our directors and the outcome of corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, such as: (i) a merger or a sale of our Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (iii) amendments to our articles of incorporation and bylaws. This concentration of voting power and control could have a significant effect in delaying, deferring or preventing an action that might otherwise be beneficial to our other shareholders and be disadvantageous to our shareholders with interests different from those individuals. These individuals also have significant control over our business, policies and affairs as officers and directors of our Company. Therefore, you should not invest in reliance on your ability to have any control over our Company.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, we would face possible delisting, which would result in a limited public market for our shares and make obtaining future debt or equity financing more difficult for us.As previously reported, on December 9, 2022, Datasea received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department (the "Staff") of the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") notifying Datasea that, for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, Datasea's Market Value of Listed Securities ("MVLS") was below the $35 million minimum requirement for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) (the "MVLS Requirement"). Therefore, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(C) (the "Rule"), Datasea was provided 180 calendar days, or until June 7, 2023, to regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement. Subsequently, on June 8, 2023, Datasea received a letter from Nasdaq indicating that Datasea had not regained compliance with the Rule (the "Delisting Notice"), and that accordingly, its securities will be delisted from Nasdaq. Thus, unless Datasea requests an appeal of that determination pursuant to procedures set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5800 Series, trading of Datasea's common stock will be suspended at the opening of business on June 20, 2023, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which will remove Datasea's securities from listing and registration on Nasdaq.
On June 14, 2023, Datasea requested an appeal of Nasdaq's determination and a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the "Panel"). As stated in the Delisting Notice, a hearing request will stay the suspension of Datasea's securities and the filing of the Form 25-NSE pending the Panel's decision.
Datasea is considering its available options to resolve the deficiency and regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement within the allotted compliance period, which may include fund-raising activities through the issuance of new shares or securities. If Datasea fails to regain compliance with Nasdaq's Listing Rules, it could be subject to suspension and delisting proceedings. If Datasea's securities lose their status on The Nasdaq Capital Market, Datasea's securities would likely trade in the over-the-counter market. If Datasea's securities were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling Datasea's securities could be more difficult because smaller quantities of securities would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts' coverage of Datasea may be reduced. In addition, in the event Datasea's securities are delisted, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in Datasea's securities, further limiting the liquidity of such securities. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for Datasea's securities. Such delisting from The Nasdaq Capital Market and continued or further declines in Datasea's share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing, and could significantly increase the ownership dilution to shareholders caused by our issuing equity in financing or other transactions
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
Volatility in our common stock price may subject us to securities litigation.The market for our common stock may have, when compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility and we expect that our share price may continue to be more volatile than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management's attention and resources.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
Our auditor is headquartered in the United States and is subject to inspection by the PCAOB on a regular basis. To the extent that our independent registered public accounting firm's audit documentation related to their audit reports for our company become located in China, the PCAOB may not be able inspect such audit documentation and, as such, you may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection and our common stock could be delisted from the stock exchange pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.Our independent registered public accounting firm issued an audit opinion on the financial statements included in this report filed with the SEC and will issue audit reports related to our company in the future. As auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, our auditor is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB. However, to the extent that our auditor's work papers become located in China, such work papers will not be subject to inspection by the PCAOB because the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities. Inspections of certain other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside of China have identified deficiencies in those firms' audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. On December 2, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the HFCAA. We are required by the HFCAA to have an auditor that is subject to the inspection by the PCAOB. Pursuant to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021, which found that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely certain named registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong. Our independent registered public accounting firm is headquartered in the United States and has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis and as such, it is not affected by or subject to the PCAOB's Determination Report. To the extent this status changes in the future and our auditor's audit documentation related to their audit reports for our company becomes outside of the inspection by the PCAOB, our common stock could be delisted from the stock exchange pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.
Our securities may be prohibited from trading on a national exchange or over-the-counter in the United States under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, if the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully investigate our auditors for two consecutive years. As a result, an exchange may determine to delist our securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests and exercising your rights as a stockholder of ours since we conduct substantially all of our operations in China and all of our officers and directors reside in China.We conduct substantially all of our operations in China through Shuhai Beijing, our consolidated VIE in China. All of our current officers and directors reside outside the United States and substantially all of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. Because of this, it may be difficult for you to conduct due diligence on our company, our executive officers or directors and attend stockholder meetings if the meetings are held in China. As a result, our public stockholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major stockholders than would stockholders of a corporation doing business entirely or predominantly within the United States.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
A failure by the beneficial owners of our shares who are PRC residents to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities and subject us to liability under PRC law.SAFE has promulgated regulations, including the Notice on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Residents' Investment and Financing and Round-Trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles (or SAFE Circular No. 37), effective on July 4, 2014, and its appendices, that require PRC residents, including PRC institutions and individuals, to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents' legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular No. 37 as a "special purpose vehicle." SAFE Circular No. 37 further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill 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 subsidiary. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for foreign exchange evasion.
These regulations apply to our direct and indirect shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions or share transfers that we make in the future if our shares are issued to PRC residents. However, in practice, different local SAFE branches may have different views and procedures on the application and implementation of SAFE regulations, and since SAFE Circular No. 37 was relatively new, there remains uncertainty with respect to its implementation. As of the date of this report, all PRC residents known to us that currently hold direct or indirect interests in our company have completed the necessary registrations with SAFE as required by SAFE Circular 37. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with the requirements of SAFE Circular 37. However, we cannot assure you that these individuals or any other direct or indirect shareholders or beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents will be able to successfully complete the registration or update the registration of their direct and indirect equity interest as required in the future. If they fail to make or update the registration, our shareholders could be subject to fines and legal penalties, and SAFE could restrict our cross-border investment activities and our foreign exchange activities, including restricting the PRC subsidiary's ability to distribute dividends to, or obtain loans denominated in foreign currencies from, our company, or prevent us from paying dividends. As a result, our business operations and our ability to make distributions to you could be materially and adversely affected.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
We must remit offering proceeds to China in a future securities issuance before they may be used to benefit our business in China, the process of which may be time-consuming, and we cannot assure that we can complete all necessary governmental registration processes in a timely manner.The proceeds of a future offering may be remitted back to the PRC, and the process for wiring such proceeds back to the PRC may be time-consuming after the closing of a future offering. We may be unable to use these proceeds to grow our business until the PRC subsidiaries receive such proceeds in the PRC. Any transfer of funds by us to the PRC subsidiaries, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are subject to approval by or registration or filing with relevant governmental authorities in China. Any foreign loans procured by the PRC subsidiaries is required to be registered with China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE") or its local branches or satisfy relevant requirements, and the PRC subsidiaries may not procure loans which exceed the difference between their respective total project investment amount and registered capital or 2 times (which may be varied year by year due to the change of PRC's national macro-control policy) of the net worth of the PRC subsidiary. According to the relevant PRC regulations on foreign-invested enterprises in China, capital contributions to the PRC subsidiaries are subject to the approval of or filing with State Administration for Market Regulation in its local branches, the Ministry of Commerce in its local branches and registration with a local bank authorized by SAFE.
In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, 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 the PRC subsidiary or with respect to future capital contributions by us to the PRC subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to capitalize or otherwise fund the PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, our ability to fund and expand our business and our securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
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 Mr. Liu and Ms. Liu hold more than 50% of our voting power. For so long as we remain a controlled company under that definition, we are permitted to elect to rely, and will rely, on certain exemptions from the obligation to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including:
- the requirement that our director nominees must be selected or recommended solely by independent directors; and - the requirement that we have a corporate governance and nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities.
As a result, you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 13
The shareholders of the VIE may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.Ms. Zhixin Liu and Mr. Fu Liu are majority shareholders of Datasea and the shareholders of the VIE, Shuhai Beijing. Ms. Liu is our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Secretary, while Mr. Liu is one of our directors. They may have potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause the VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and the VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control the VIE and receive substantially all the economic benefits from it. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with Shuhai Beijing to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company. We rely on Ms. Liu and Mr. Liu to abide by the laws of the State of Nevada and China, which provide that directors owe a fiduciary duty to the Company that requires them to act in good faith and in what they believe to be the best interests of the Company and not to use their position for personal gains. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of Shuhai Beijing, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 14
Our independent registered public accounting firm's auditors' report includes an explanatory paragraph stating that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.We are an early and development stage company and have limited financial resources. We had cash balances of $19,728 and $181,261 as of June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024, respectively. We generated revenues of $23,975,867 during the year ended June 30, 2024. We had a net cash inflow of $161,534 during fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Our resources and source of funds have primarily consisted of loans and capital contributions from shareholders and funds raised from equity financing. We believe these are sufficient to keep our business operations functioning for the next twelve months. We have generated revenue of $23,975,867 from our business during the year ended June 30, 2024, and our expenses will be accrued until sufficient financing is obtained or bank loan us the necessary funds to pay for these expenses.
On August 1, 2023, the "Company entered into two separate subscription agreements with a certain non-U.S. investor ("Investor A"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and Investor A agreed to purchase an aggregate of 4,760,000 shares of common stock price at a $1.2 per share purchase price. Such shares must be held for a period of 365 days. In accordance with such two agreements and a subsequent supplementary agreement, Investor A shall pay a total purchase price of $5,712,000 in RMB, at an amount of RMB 40,000,000, no later than September 30, 2023. On September 21, the Company has received all of the payment of RMB 40,000,000.
On August 15, 2023, Datasea Inc. (the "Company") entered into a subscription agreement with a non-U.S. investor (the "Investor B"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and Investor B agreed to purchase an aggregate of 2,962,963 shares of common stock at a $1.35 per share purchase price, with a total subscription price of $4,000,000. Such shares must be held for a period of 180 days. On August 16, 2023, the investor made the initial investment payment of RMB 5,000,000 to the Company, equal to $714,286.
On September 13, 2023, the Company closed its underwritten public offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $0.40 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1,635,000, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares of common stock at the public offering price per share.
On July 2, 2024, the Company announced that it had entered into a share purchase agreement with SEG Opportunity Fund LLC, a U.S. institutional investor, to sell 692,308 shares of common stock (or common stock equivalent) in a private registered offering at an issue price of $3.25 per share (or common stock equivalent). This includes the issuance of 179,400 ordinary shares at a price of $3.25 per share, representing 4.8% of the total post-issue share capital of 3,769,020; And the issuance to investors of 512,908 prepaid warrants in lieu of common stock at a price of $3.24 per warrant and an exercise price of $0.01 per warrant.
The offering closed on July 3, 2024, and 179,400 common shares have been issued and funds have arrived in the Company's accounts. Datasea expects gross proceeds from the offering (before underwriting discounts, commissions and offering fees) to be $2,250,000.
Although such liquidity concern may be mitigated by the Company's sale of shares, no assurances can be given that we will be able to obtain funds from our shareholders or others to continue our operations in the future. We may need to seek additional financing. The financing sought may be in the form of equity or debt financing or a combination of both from various sources as yet unidentified. No assurance can be given that we will generate sufficient revenue or obtain the necessary financing to continue as a going concern and the failure to do so could cause us to cease our operations.
Accounting & Financial Operations3 | 5.6%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We have seen a substantial improvement and progress in our internal control over financial reporting. If no improvement measures are taken, or if we experience additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls in the future, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common stock.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
We have a limited operating history as a developer of acoustics high tech, 5G AI multimodal digital and other products and services. Our limited operating history may not provide an adequate basis to judge our future prospects and results of operations.Changed
We have a limited operating history. The operating entity, Shuhai Beijing, was formed in February 2015 and may not generate material revenue or any profit in the foreseeable future. We are still in the process of developing, marketing and expansion of our business. We expect that our acoustics high tech (including ultrasound, infrasound, directional sound, and Schumann resonance), 5G AI multimodal digital and other products and services will be our core business in the future. We have limited experience and operating history in developing and marketing our products and services. In addition, the market for our products and services is highly competitive. If we fail to successfully develop and offer our products and services in an increasingly competitive market, we may not be able to capture the potential growth opportunities associated with our products and services or recover our development and marketing costs, and our future results of operations and growth strategies could be adversely affected. Our limited history may not provide a meaningful basis for investors to evaluate our business, financial performance and prospects.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
We are not likely to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, but will review this policy as circumstances dictate. Should we determine to pay dividends in the future, our ability to do so will depend upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from Shuhai Beijing. Shuhai Beijing may, from time to time, be subject to restrictions on its ability to make distributions to us, including restrictions on the conversion of RMB into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions.
Debt & Financing3 | 5.6%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
If any of the affiliated entities becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding, we may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by such entity, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
We depend upon the VIE Agreements in conducting our business in the PRC, which may not be as effective as equity ownership.We rely on contractual arrangements with the consolidated VIE and its shareholders, Zhixin Liu, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Datasea, and Fu Liu, a Director of Datasea (Fu Liu is the father of Zhixin Liu), to operate our business. The affiliation with Shuhai Beijing is managed through the VIE Agreements, which agreements may not be as effective in providing us with control over Shuhai Beijing as equity ownership. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as equity ownership in providing us with control over the consolidated VIE. If the consolidated VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, our recourse to the assets held by the consolidated VIE is indirect and we may have to incur substantial costs and expend significant resources to enforce such arrangements in reliance on legal remedies under PRC law. These remedies may not always be effective, particularly in light of uncertainties in the PRC legal system. Furthermore, in connection with litigation, arbitration or other judicial or dispute resolution proceedings, assets under the name of any of record holder of equity interest in the consolidated VIE, including such equity interest, may be put under court custody. As a consequence, we cannot be certain that the equity interest will be disposed pursuant to the contractual arrangement or ownership by the record holder of the equity interest.
All of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC laws and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as in other jurisdictions, such as the U.S. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant time delays or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, it would be very difficult to exert effective control over the consolidated VIE, and our ability to conduct our business and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
We will likely have to incur indebtedness or issue new equity securities to fund future growth. If we are not able to obtain additional capital, our ability to operate or expand our business may be impaired and our results of operations could be adversely affected.Our business requires significant levels of capital to finance the research and development of new products and service platforms that meet the constantly evolving industry standards and consumer demands. As such, we expect that we will need additional capital to fund our future growth. For the time being, we are primarily depending on contribution from shareholders, equity financing and cash income. If cash from such sources is insufficient or unavailable, or if cash is used for unanticipated needs, we may require additional capital sooner than anticipated. Our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms or at all is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
- investors' perceptions of, and demand for, companies operating in China;- conditions of the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise funds;- our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flows - governmental regulation of foreign investment in China;- economic, political and other conditions in the United States, China and other countries; and - governmental policies relating to foreign currency borrowings.
The sale of additional equity securities would result in dilution of our existing shareholders. In addition, the incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that would restrict our operations. It is highly uncertain whether financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are not able to obtain additional capital, our ability to operate or expand our business may be impaired and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Corporate Activity and Growth2 | 3.7%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Over the long term, we intend to invest in engineering, sales, service and marketing activities, and these investments may achieve delayed, or lower than expected, benefits which could harm our operating results.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We may not be able to consolidate the financial results of some of the affiliated companies or such consolidation could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.All of our business is conducted through Shuhai Beijing, which is considered a VIE for accounting purposes, and we are considered the primary beneficiary, thus enabling us to consolidate its financial results in our consolidated financial statements. In the event that in the future a company we hold as a VIE no longer meets the definition of a VIE under applicable accounting rules, or we are deemed not to be the primary beneficiary, we would not be able to consolidate line by line that entity's financial results in our consolidated financial statements for reporting purposes. Also, if in the future an affiliate company becomes a VIE and we become the primary beneficiary, we would be required to consolidate that entity's financial results in our consolidated financial statements for accounting purposes. If such entity's financial results were negative, this would have a corresponding negative impact on our operating results for reporting purposes.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 16/54 (30%)Above Sector Average
Regulation11 | 20.4%
Regulation - Risk 1
Potential future sales under Rule 144 may depress the market price for our common stock.Regulation - Risk 2
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit your ability to buy and sell shares of our common stock, which could depress the price of shares of our common stock.FINRA rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer's financial status, tax status and investment objectives, among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability such speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell shares of our common stock, have an adverse effect on the market for shares of our common stock, and thereby depress price of our common stock.
Regulation - Risk 3
The approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC or other mainland China governmental authorities may be required in connection with our issuance of securities overseas under mainland China rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval or complete such other requirements.The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, purport to require offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by mainland China companies or individuals and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of mainland China domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain how long it will take for us to obtain such approval, and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or a delay in obtaining CSRC approval for our future issuance of securities overseas may subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other mainland China regulatory agencies, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in mainland China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of mainland China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Furthermore, on July 6, 2021, the PRC government promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, or the July 6 Opinions, which, among other things, called for enhanced administration and supervision of overseas-listed mainland China-based companies, proposed to strengthen the supervision of the overseas issuance and listing of shares by mainland China-based companies and clarified the responsibilities of competent domestic industry regulators and government authorities. On December 28, 2021, the CAC, together with other relevant administrative departments, jointly released the Cybersecurity Review Measures, which took effect on February 15, 2022. Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Review Measures, network platform operators with personal information of over one million users shall apply with the Cybersecurity Review Office for a cybersecurity review before going to list abroad.
The new rules for the filing-based administration of overseas securities offerings and listings by Chinese domestic companies released on February 17, 2023, or New Filing Rules, establish a new filing-based regime to regulate overseas offerings and listings by domestic companies. According to the New Filing Rules, (i) an overseas offering and listing by a domestic company, whether directly or indirectly, shall be filed with the CSRC; and (ii) the issuer or its affiliated domestic company, as the case may be, shall file with the CSRC for its initial public offering, follow-on offering, issuance of convertible bonds, offshore relisting after go-private transactions and other equivalent offing activities. In addition, after a domestic company has offered and listed securities in an overseas markets, it is required to file a report to the CSRC after the occurrence and public disclosure of certain material corporate events, including but not limited to, change of control and voluntary or mandatory delisting. From March 31, 2023, enterprises that have been listed overseas shall constitute existing enterprises and are not required to conduct the overseas listing filing procedure immediately, but shall carry out filing procedures as required if they conduct future offshore offerings or capital raising activities or are involved in other circumstances that require filing with the CSRC.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with other relevant government authorities, issued the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Archives Rules, which became effective on March 31, 2023. According to the Archives Rules, domestic mainland China companies, whether offering and listing securities overseas directly or indirectly, must strictly abide the applicable laws and regulations when providing or publicly disclosing, either directly or through their overseas listed entities, documents and materials to securities companies, securities services providers such as accounting firms, or overseas regulators in the process of their overseas offering and listing. If such documents or materials contain any state secrets or government authorities work secrets, domestic companies must obtain the approval from competent governmental authorities according to the applicable laws, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level with the approving governmental authority. Furthermore, the Archives Rules also provides that securities companies and securities service providers shall also fulfill the applicable legal procedures when providing overseas regulatory institutions and other relevant institutions and individuals with documents or materials containing any state secrets or government authorities work secrets or other documents or materials that, if divulged, will jeopardize national security or public interest.
Regulation - Risk 4
PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to the PRC subsidiary and affiliated entities, which could harm our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.Datasea is a Delaware company conducting substantially all of its operations in China through its PRC subsidiaries, the VIE and its subsidiaries established in China. Datasea may make loans to the PRC subsidiaries and VIE entities subject to the approval from governmental authorities and limitation of amount, or may make additional capital contributions to subsidiaries and VIE entities in China.
Any loans to the subsidiaries or VIE entities in China are subject to foreign investment and are under PRC regulations and foreign exchange loan registrations. For example, loans by us to the wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries or VIE entities in China to finance their activities must be registered with the local counterpart of SAFE. In addition, a foreign invested enterprise shall use its capital pursuant to the principle of authenticity and self-use within its business scope. The capital of a foreign invested enterprise shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly used for payment beyond the business scope of the enterprises or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly use for investment in securities or investments other than banks' principal-secured products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) the granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) paying the expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises). On October 23, 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Convenience of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and does not violate with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry this out in practice. In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, 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.
Regulation - Risk 5
Certain PRC regulations, including the M&A Rules and national security regulations, may require a complicated review and approval process which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.The M&A Rules established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex. For example, the MOFCOM must be notified in the event a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. In addition, certain acquisitions of domestic companies by offshore companies that are related to or affiliated with the same entities or individuals of the domestic companies, are subject to approval by the MOFCOM. In addition, the Implementing Rules Concerning Security Review on Mergers and Acquisitions by Foreign Investors of Domestic Enterprises, issued by the MOFCOM in August 2011, require that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors in "any industry with national security concerns" be subject to national security review by the MOFCOM. In addition, any activities attempting to circumvent such review process, including structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement, are strictly prohibited. There is significant uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of these regulations relating to merger and acquisition activities in China. In addition, complying with these requirements could be time-consuming, and the required notification, review or approval process may materially delay or affect our ability to complete merger and acquisition transactions in China. As a result, our ability to seek growth through acquisitions may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if the MOFCOM determines that we should have obtained its approval for our entry into contractual arrangements with the affiliated entities, we may be required to file for remedial approvals. There is no assurance that we would be able to obtain such approval from the MOFCOM. We may also be subject to administrative fines or penalties by the MOFCOM that may require us to limit our business operations in the PRC, delay or restrict the conversion and remittance of our funds in foreign currencies into the PRC or take other actions that could have material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation - Risk 6
The PRC's legal and judicial system under special circumstances may not adequately protect our business and operations and the rights of foreign investors.The legal and judicial systems in the PRC are still rudimentary, and enforcement of existing laws is uncertain. As a result, it may be impossible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of laws that do exist, Different administrative regions have different legal and judicial interpretations or to obtain enforcement of the judgment of one court by a court of another jurisdiction. The PRC's legal system is based on the civil law regime, that is, it is based on written statutes. A decision by one judge does not set a legal precedent that is required to be followed by judges in other cases. In addition, the interpretation of Chinese laws may be varied to reflect domestic political changes.
The promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws and the pre-emption of local regulations by national laws may adversely affect foreign investors. There can be no assurance that a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC's political, economic or social life, will not affect the PRC government's ability to continue to support and pursue these reforms. Such a shift could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Regulation - Risk 7
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions in a civil law system may be cited as reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, newly introduced PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections of interest relating to foreign investments in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to evolve rapidly, the interpretations of such laws and regulations may not always be consistent, and enforcement of these laws. In different administrative areas and regulations involves significant uncertainties, any of which could limit the available legal protections. In addition, the PRC administrative and judicial authorities have significant discretion in interpreting, implementing or enforcing statutory rules and contractual terms, and it may be more difficult to predict the outcome of administrative and judicial proceedings and the level of legal protection we may enjoy in the PRC than under some more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may affect our decisions on the policies and actions to be taken to comply with PRC laws and regulations, and may affect our ability to enforce our contractual or tort rights. In addition, the regulatory uncertainties may be exploited through unmerited legal actions or threats in an attempt to extract payments or benefits from us. Such uncertainties may therefore increase our operating expenses and costs, and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Regulation - Risk 8
The subsidiaries and affiliated entities in China are subject to restrictions on making dividends and other payments to us.Datasea is a holding company and relies principally on dividends paid by its subsidiaries in China for our cash needs, including paying dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders to the extent we choose to do so, servicing any debt we may incur and paying our operating expenses. Tianjin Information's income in turn depends on the service fees paid by its affiliated entities, including the VIE, in China. Current PRC regulations permit the subsidiary in China to pay dividends to us only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. Under the applicable requirements of PRC law, Tianjin Information may only distribute dividends after it has made allowances to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, if the subsidiaries or affiliated entities in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any such restrictions may materially affect such entities' ability to make dividends or make payments, in service fees or otherwise, to us, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation - Risk 9
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenue effectively.Substantially all of our revenue is denominated in Renminbi. As a result, restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to use revenue generated in Renminbi to fund any business activities we may have outside China in the future or to make dividend payments to our shareholders in U.S. dollars. Under current PRC laws and regulations, Renminbi is freely convertible for current account items, such as trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions and dividend distributions. However, Renminbi is not freely convertible for direct investment or loans or investments in securities outside China, unless such use is approved by SAFE. For example, foreign exchange transactions under the subsidiary's capital account, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, remain subject to significant foreign exchange controls and the approval requirement of SAFE. These limitations could affect our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency for capital expenditures. And the Chinese government is further strengthening the control of foreign exchange, we will not be able to change the Chinese government's decision in our own power.
Regulation - Risk 10
If the PRC government deems that the VIE Agreements do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries or other laws or regulations of the PRC, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations, which may therefore materially reduce the value of our ordinary shares.We are a holding company incorporated in Nevada. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct a substantial majority of our operations through the operating entities established in the People's Republic of China, or the PRC, primarily our variable interest entity (the "VIE") and its subsidiaries. Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership in any internet-related businesses we may explore and operate, we do not have any equity ownership of the VIE, instead we control and receive the economic benefits of the VIE's business operations through certain contractual arrangements. Our common stock currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Markets are shares of Datasea, our Nevada holding company, that maintains service agreements with the associated operating companies. The Chinese regulatory authorities could disallow our structure, which could result in a material change in our operations and the value of our securities could decline or become worthless. For a description of our corporate structure and contractual arrangements, see "Our Organizational Structure" on page 34 and "VIE Agreements" on page 5.
We believe that our corporate structure and contractual arrangements comply with the current applicable PRC laws and regulations. We also believe that each of the contracts among our wholly-owned PRC subsidiary, the consolidated VIE and its shareholders is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms. However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Thus, the PRC governmental authorities may take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structure will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are uncertain and the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations.
If these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future and our corporate structure and contractual arrangements are deemed by the relevant regulators that have competent authority, to be illegal, either in whole or in part, we may lose control of the consolidated VIE, which conducts our manufacturing operations, holds significant assets and accounts for significant revenue, and have to modify such structure to comply with regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that we can achieve this without material disruption to our business. Further, if our corporate structure and contractual arrangements are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
- revoking our business and operating licenses;- levying fines on us;- confiscating any of our income that they deem to be obtained through illegal operations;- shutting down our services;- discontinuing or restricting our operations in China;- imposing conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply;- requiring us to change our corporate structure and contractual arrangements;- restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from overseas offering to finance the consolidated VIE's business and operations; and - taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our business.
Furthermore, new PRC laws, rules and regulations may be introduced to impose additional requirements that may be applicable to our corporate structure and contractual arrangements. The occurrence of any of these events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and the market price of our common stock. In addition, if the imposition of any of these penalties or requirement to restructure our corporate structure causes us to lose the rights to direct the activities of the consolidated VIE or our right to receive their economic benefits, we would no longer be able to consolidate the financial results of such VIE in our consolidated financial statements, which may cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or even become worthless.
Regulation - Risk 11
Our compliance with complicated U.S. regulations concerning corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses. Moreover, our ability to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations is uncertain given our management's relative inexperience with operating U.S. public companies.As a public company, we are facing with expensive, complicated and evolving disclosure, governance and compliance laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. New or changing laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards of a U.S. public company are likely to continue to result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities.
Moreover, our executive officers have little experience in operating a U.S. public company, which makes our ability to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations uncertain. Our failure to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to U.S. public companies could subject us or our management to regulatory scrutiny or sanction, which could harm our reputation and stock price.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 1.9%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
Failure to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could adversely affect our business.Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 1.9%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Contractual arrangements entered into by the subsidiary and the PRC operating affiliate may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities. Such scrutiny may lead to additional tax liability and fines, which would hinder our ability to achieve or maintain profitability.Environmental / Social3 | 5.6%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
Compliance with China's new Data Security Law, Measures on Cybersecurity Review (revised draft for public consultation), Personal Information Protection Law (second draft for consultation), regulations and guidelines relating to the multi-level protection scheme and any other future laws and regulations may entail significant expenses and could materially affect our business.Environmental / Social - Risk 2
In light of recent events indicating greater oversight by the CAC over data security, we may be subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity and data protection, and any failure to comply with applicable laws and obligations could have a material adverse effect on our business and our securities.Since 2021, the Chinese government has strengthened its anti-monopoly supervision, mainly in three aspects: (1) establishing the National Anti-Monopoly Bureau; (2) revising and promulgating anti-monopoly laws and regulations, including: the Anti-Monopoly Law (draft Amendment published on October 23, 2021 for public opinions), the anti-monopoly guidelines for various industries, and the detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Fair Competition Review System; and (3) expanding the anti-monopoly law enforcement targeting Internet companies and large enterprises. As of the date of this report, the Chinese government's recent statements and regulatory actions related to anti-monopoly concerns have not impacted our ability to conduct business, accept foreign investments, or list on a U.S. or other foreign exchange because neither the Company nor its PRC operating entities engage in monopolistic behaviors that are subject to these statements or regulatory actions.
On November 14, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") released the Regulations on the Network Data Security Management (Draft for Comments), or the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, to solicit public opinion and comments till December 13, 2021, which has not been promulgated as of the date of this report. Pursuant to the Data Security Management Regulations Draft, data processors holding more than one million users/users' individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad. Data processing activities refers to activities such as the collection, retention, use, processing, transmission, provision, disclosure, or deletion of data. According to the latest amended Cybersecurity Review Measures, which was promulgated on November 16, 2021 and became effective on February 15, 2022, an online platform operator holding more than one million users/users' individual information shall be subject to cybersecurity review before listing abroad.
As of the date of this report, Datasea, its subsidiaries, the VIE and VIE's subsidiaries have not received any notice from any authorities requiring the PRC subsidiaries to go through cybersecurity review or network data security review by the CAC. Given that Datasea, its subsidiaries, the VIE and VIE's subsidiaries do not possess personal data of at least one million individual clients and do not collect data that affects or may affect national security in their business operations as of the date of this report and do not anticipate that they will be collecting over one million users' personal information or data that affects or may affect national security in the near future. There remains uncertainty, however, as to how the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Cybersecurity Review Measures and the Security Administration Draft. If any such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we will take all reasonable measures and actions to comply and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will not be subject to cybersecurity review and network data security review in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.
Environmental / Social - Risk 3
We may be subject to liability if private information that we receive is not secure or if we violate privacy laws and regulations.Because we store, process and use data, some of which contain personal information, we are subject to complex and evolving federal, state and foreign laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection and other matters. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to constant evolvement and change and uncertain interpretation. Any violation of these laws could result in investigations, claims, changes to our business practices, increased cost of operations and declines in user growth, retention or engagement, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed China's first cybersecurity law, or CSL, which took effect in June 2017. The CSL systematically lays out cybersecurity and data protection regulatory requirements and subjects many previously under-regulated or unregulated activities in cyberspace and data management to government scrutiny. Compliance costs and other burdens related to CSL as well as China's regulatory measures on the collection, storage, use and provision of network data may affect users' use and acceptance of our products and services, and may have a significant adverse impact on our business, directly affecting our market development channels and financial revenue capacity.
The European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 ("GDPR"), which came into effect on May 25, 2018, includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the European Economic Area. The GDPR establishes new requirements applicable to the processing of personal data (i.e., data which identifies an individual or from which an individual is identifiable), affords new data protection rights to individuals (e.g., the right to erasure of personal data) and imposes penalties for serious data breaches. Individuals also have a right to compensation under the GDPR for financial or non-financial losses. 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. Compliance with the GDPR will impose additional responsibilities and liabilities in relation to our processing of personal data. The GDPR may require us to change our policies and procedures and, if we are not compliant, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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 user data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation, or negative publicity, and could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Production
Total Risks: 6/54 (11%)Below Sector Average
Manufacturing1 | 1.9%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Product quality problems could lead to reduced revenue, gross margins, and net income.Employment / Personnel2 | 3.7%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
Our success is dependent on retaining key personnel who would be difficult to replace.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
Increases in labor costs in the PRC may adversely affect our business and our profitability.The economy of China has been experiencing significant growth, leading to inflation and increased labor costs. China's overall economy and the average wage in the PRC are expected to continue to grow. Future increases in China's inflation and material increases in the cost of labor may materially and adversely affect our profitability and results of operations.
Supply Chain2 | 3.7%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
Supply chain issues that increase our costs or cause a delay in our ability to fulfill orders, could have an adverse impact on our business and operating results, and our failure to estimate customer demand properly may result in excess or obsolete component supply, which could adversely affect our gross margins.Supply Chain - Risk 2
We depend on contract manufacturers, and our production and products could be harmed if they are unable to meet our volume and quality requirements and alternative sources are not available.We rely on third party contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products. If these services become unavailable, we would be required to identify and enter into new agreements with other contract manufacturer or take the manufacturing in-house. The loss of our contract manufacturers could significantly disrupt production as well as increase the cost of production. These changes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Costs1 | 1.9%
Costs - Risk 1
We may be subject to fine due to our insufficient payment of the social insurance and housing fund of the employees.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 5/54 (9%)Below Sector Average
Innovation / R&D2 | 3.7%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
Our business substantially depends upon the continued growth of acoustics high tech , 5G AI multimodal digital and other products and services, the decrease of which could have a negative impact on our business.Changed
Innovation / R&D - Risk 2
The various industries we are in are characterized by constant and rapid technological change and evolving standards. If we fail to anticipate and adapt to these changes and evolutions, our sales, gross margins and profitability will be adversely affected.Technologies change rapidly in the acoustics high tech, 5G AI multimodal digital industries with frequent new products and service developments and evolving industry standards. Companies operating within these industries are continuously developing new products and services with heightened performance and functionality, putting pricing pressure on existing products. Accordingly, we believe that our future success will depend on our ability to continue to anticipate technological changes and to offer additional product and service opportunities that meet evolving standards on a timely and cost-effective basis. Our failure to accurately anticipate the introduction of new technologies or adapt to fluctuations in the industry could lead to our having significant amounts of obsolete inventory that can only be sold at substantially lower prices and profit margins than anticipated. In addition, if we are unable to develop planned new technologies, we may be unable to compete effectively due to our failure to offer products or services most demanded by the marketplace. Products and services that our competitors develop or introduce may also render our products and services noncompetitive or obsolete. If any of these failures occur, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Trade Secrets3 | 5.6%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Because we rely on the Operation and Intellectual Property Service Agreement with Shuhai Beijing for our revenue, the termination of this agreement Or be forcibly discharged would severely and detrimentally affect our continuing business viability under our current corporate structure.Trade Secrets - Risk 2
You may experience difficulties in protecting your rights through the United States courts.Currently, substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. All of our officers are nationals or residents of the PRC and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a stockholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce judgments against us which are 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.
In addition, it may be difficult or impossible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon us our directors and officers in the event that you believe that your rights have been violated under United States securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in effecting service of process and bringing an action of this kind, the laws of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. There is no statutory recognition in the PRC of judgments obtained in the United States.
Trade Secrets - Risk 3
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely to us, materially disrupt our business.Internet and technology companies are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights, unfair competition, invasion of privacy, defamation and other violations of third-party rights. The validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property in Internet-related industries, particularly in China, are uncertain and still evolving. In addition, many parties are actively developing and seeking protection for Internet-related technologies, including seeking patent protection. There may be patents issued or pending that are held by others that cover significant aspects of our technologies, products, business methods or services. As we face increasing competition and as litigation becomes more common in China in resolving commercial disputes, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims.
In particular, if we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property, may be ordered to pay damages or fines, and may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives. We may incur substantial expense in defending against third party infringement claims, regardless of their merit. Successful infringement claims against us may result in substantial monetary liability or may materially disrupt the conduct of our business by restricting or prohibiting our use of the intellectual property in question. Any intellectual property litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 5/54 (9%)Below Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment4 | 7.4%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Changes in the policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and the profitability of our business.Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
Future inflation in China may inhibit the profitability of our business in China.In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for our services and products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on profitability. These factors have led to the adoption by Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our services and products.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 3
If relations between the United States and China worsen, investors may be unwilling to hold or buy our stock and our stock price may decrease.At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had significant disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries that may affect our economic outlook both in the United States and in China. Any political or trade controversies between the United States and China, whether or not directly related to our business, could reduce the price of our common stock.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 4
A slowdown or other adverse developments in the PRC economy may harm our customers and the demand for our services and our products.All of our operations are conducted in the PRC. Although the PRC economy has grown significantly in recent years, there is no assurance that this growth will continue. A slowdown in overall economic growth, an economic downturn, a recession or other adverse economic developments in the PRC could significantly reduce the demand for our products and services.
Capital Markets1 | 1.9%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
The fluctuation of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on your investment.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.