Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.
Integrated Media Technology disclosed 85 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Integrated Media Technology reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Risk Overview Q4, 2023
Risk Distribution
34% Finance & Corporate
18% Tech & Innovation
15% Production
14% Ability to Sell
11% Macro & Political
8% Legal & Regulatory
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
2020
Q4
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Integrated Media Technology 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.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2023
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 29 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 29 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
85
-1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
85
-1
From last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
1Risks removed
5Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
0Risks added
1Risks removed
5Risks changed
Since Dec 2023
Number of Risk Changed
5
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1
5
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1
See the risk highlights of Integrated Media Technology 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 85
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 29/85 (34%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights12 | 14.1%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Changed
Our failure to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq could result in a delisting of our securities.
On May 17, 2024, we received a notification letter (the "Notification Letter") from the Listings Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") that the Company is no longer in compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) for continued listing due to its failure to timely file its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Annual Report") with the SEC. Under the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(2)(F)(i), the Company has until July 16, 2024 (that is, 60 calendar days from the date of the Deficiency Letter) to submit to Nasdaq a plan (the "Compliance Plan") to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Company has submitted a plan of Compliance on July 16, 2024 and on July 31 2024 to file the Annual Report by August 2024 and then extended to October 2024.
Under the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(2)(F)(ii), if Nasdaq accepts the Compliance Plan, Nasdaq can grant the Company an exception until November 11, 2024 (that is, up to 180 calendar days from the extended due date of the Annual Report) to regain compliance. However, if it appears to Nasdaq that we will be unable to cure the deficiency, or if we are not otherwise eligible for the additional cure period, Nasdaq will provide notice that our Ordinary Shares will be subject to delisting.
If we fail to satisfy the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, such as failure to timely file the Annual Report with the SEC, Nasdaq may take steps to delist our Ordinary Shares. Such a delisting would have a negative effect on the price of our Ordinary Shares, impair the ability to sell or purchase our Ordinary Shares when persons wish to do so, and any delisting materially adversely affect our ability to raise capital or pursue strategic restructuring, refinancing or other transactions on acceptable terms, or at all. Delisting could also result in a determination that our Ordinary Shares are a "penny stock," which would require brokers trading in our Ordinary Shares to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary market for our Ordinary Shares. In the event of a delisting, we would attempt to take actions to restore our compliance with Nasdaq's listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our Ordinary Shares to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our Ordinary Shares, prevent our Ordinary Shares from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum bid price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaq's listing requirements.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may affect our ability to obtain future financing and may require us to curtail or cease our operations.
Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 were prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $675,781. We estimate that our existing cash resources will not be sufficient to fund all our operations into the second half of 2024. Our ability to continue as a going concern will depend on our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce or contain expenditures and increase revenues. Based on these factors, management determined that there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our independent registered public accounting firm expressed substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern in its report included elsewhere in this Form 20-F.
If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets and may receive less than the value at which those assets are carried on our audited financial statements, and it is likely that investors will lose all or part of their investment. When we seek additional financing to fund our business activities as a result of the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Australian takeovers laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of large numbers of our shares.
We are incorporated in Australia and are subject to the takeover laws of Australia. Amongst other things, we are subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth of Australia). Subject to a range of exceptions, the Corporations Act prohibits the acquisition of a direct or indirect interest in our issued voting shares if the acquisition of that interest will lead to a person's or someone else's voting power in us increasing from 20% or below to more than 20%, or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%. Exceptions to the general prohibition include circumstances where the person makes a formal takeover bid for us, if the person obtains shareholder approval for the acquisition or if the person acquires less than 3% of the voting power of us in any rolling six-month period. Australian takeovers laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of large numbers of our shares.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Rights as a holder of ordinary shares are governed by Australian law and the Company's Constitution (the "Constitution") and differ from the rights of shareholders under U.S. law. Holders of our Ordinary Shares may have difficulty in effecting service of process in the United States or enforcing judgments obtained in the United States.
We are a public company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Therefore, the rights of holders of our Ordinary Shares are governed by Australian law and our Constitution. These rights differ from the typical rights of shareholders in U.S. corporations. Circumstances that under U.S. law may entitle a shareholder in a U.S. company to claim damages may also give rise to a cause of action under Australian law entitling a shareholder in an Australian company to claim damages. However, this will not always be the case. Holders of our Ordinary Shares may have difficulties enforcing, in actions brought in courts in jurisdictions located outside the U.S., liabilities under U.S. securities laws. In particular, if such a holder sought to bring proceedings in Australia based on U.S. securities laws, the Australian court might consider:
- that it did not have jurisdiction; and/or - that it was not an appropriate forum for such proceedings; and/or - that, applying Australian conflict of laws rule, U.S. law (including U.S. securities laws) did not apply to the relationship between holders of our Ordinary Shares and us or our directors and officers; and/or - that the U.S. securities laws were of a public or penal nature and should not be enforced by the Australian court.
Holders of our Ordinary Shares may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the U.S. judgments obtained in the U.S. courts against any of our directors and executive officers or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
In the event that our Ordinary Shares are delisted from NASDAQ, U.S. broker-dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in shares of our Ordinary Shares because they may be considered penny stocks and thus be subject to the penny stock rules.
The SEC has adopted several rules to regulate "penny stock" that restrict transactions involving stock which is deemed to be penny stock. Such rules include Rules 3a51-1, 15g-1, 15g-2, 15g-3, 15g-4, 15g-5, 15g-6, 15g-7, and 15g-9 under the Exchange Act. These rules may have the effect of reducing the liquidity of penny stocks. "Penny stocks" generally are equity securities with a price of less than US$5.00 per share (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on NASDAQ if current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). Our Ordinary Shares have in the past constituted, and may again in the future constitute, "penny stock" within the meaning of the rules. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon U.S. broker-dealers may discourage such broker-dealers from effecting transactions in shares of our Ordinary Shares, which could severely limit the market liquidity of such Ordinary Shares and impede their sale in the secondary market.
A U.S. broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or "accredited investor" (generally, an individual with net worth in excess of US$1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding US$200,000, or US$300,000 together with his or her spouse) must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. In addition, the "penny stock" regulations require the U.S. broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a "penny stock", a disclosure schedule prepared in accordance with SEC standards relating to the "penny stock" market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A U.S. broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the U.S. broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a U.S. broker-dealer is required to submit monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the "penny stock" held in a customer's account and information with respect to the limited market in "penny stocks".
Shareholders should be aware that, according to the SEC, the market for "penny stocks" has suffered in recent years from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns include (i) control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often related to the promoter or issuer; (ii) manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and misleading press releases; (iii) "boiler room" practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price projections by inexperienced sales persons; (iv) excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers; and (v) the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after prices have been manipulated to a desired level, resulting in investor losses. Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market. Although we do not expect to be in a position to dictate the behavior of the market or of broker-dealers who participate in the market, management will strive within the confines of practical limitations to prevent the described patterns from being established with respect to our securities.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
Our Ordinary Shares may be considered a "penny stock" under SEC regulations which could adversely affect the willingness of investors to hold our Shares.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define "penny stock" to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, our Ordinary Shares traded on the NASDAQ at below US$5.00 per share. The low trading price of our Ordinary Shares may adversely impact the willingness of investors to invest in our Ordinary Shares in the United States.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
Our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our Ordinary Shares is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:
- changes in our industry;- our ability to work through a health crisis or pandemic;- competitive pricing pressures;- our ability to obtain working capital financing;- additions or departures of key personnel;- limited "public float" in the hands of a small number of persons whose sales or lack of sales could result in positive or negative pricing pressure on the market price for our Ordinary Shares;- sales of our Ordinary Shares;- our ability to execute our business plan;- operating results that fall below expectations;- loss of any strategic relationship;- regulatory developments;- developments concerning research and development, manufacturing, and marketing alliances or collaborations by us and our competitors;- announcements of technological innovations or new commercial products by us and our competitors;- regulatory actions in respect of any of our products or the products of any of our competitors;- determinations regarding our patent applications and those of others;- market conditions, including market conditions in the technology and digital media sectors;- increases in our costs or decreases in our revenues due to unfavorable movements in foreign currency exchange rates;- development or litigation concerning patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights;- litigation or public concern about the safety of our potential products;- changes in recommendations or earnings estimates by securities analysts;- deviations in our operating results from the estimates of securities analysts;- rumors relating to us or our competitors;- developments concerning current or future strategic alliances or acquisitions;- political, economic and other external factors such as interest rate or currency fluctuations, war; and - period-to-period fluctuations in our financial results.
Our Ordinary Shares are traded on NASDAQ Capital Market. However, trading volumes for our Ordinary Shares have been historically low and volatile. The limited trading market for our Ordinary Shares may cause fluctuations in the market value of our Ordinary Shares to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market for our Ordinary Shares.
In addition, stock markets have recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations due to the effects of COVID-19. These fluctuations have especially affected the stock market price of many technology companies and, in many cases, are unrelated to the operating performance of the particular companies. We believe that these broad market fluctuations may continue to affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of instead of certain NASDAQ requirements.
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. As an Australian company listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, we follow home country practice with regard to, among other things, the composition of the board of directors, director nomination process, compensation of officers and quorum at shareholders' meetings. In addition, we follow Australian law instead of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules that require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for the establishment or amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans, an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of NASDAQ requirements, must submit to NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer's home country certifying that the issuer's practices are not prohibited by the home country's laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission each such requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ's corporate governance rules. Please see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - C. Board Practices" for further information.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9
U.S. shareholders may not be able to enforce civil liabilities against us.
All of our directors and executive officers, other than Mr. John Park our co-CEO are non-residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to affect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to enforce against them judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Australia in original actions, or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities to the extent predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10
As a foreign private issuer, we do not have to provide the same information as an issuer of securities based in the U.S.
Given that we are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of that law that are applicable to U.S. public companies, including (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a registered security; and (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time. Thus, investors are not afforded the same information which would be ordinarily available were they investing in a domestic U.S. public corporation.
In accordance with the requirements of the Australian Corporations Act 2001, we disclose annual and semi-annual results. Our results are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Our annual results are audited, and our semi-annual results undergo a limited review by our independent auditors. We file annual audited results presented in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and IFRS as issued by International Accounting Standards Board with the SEC on Form 20-F. We are required to provide our semi-annual results and other material information that we disclose in Australia in the U.S. under the cover of Form 6-K. Nevertheless, this information is not the same information as would be made available to investors if we were a domestic U.S. public corporation.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11
We may issue additional securities in the future, which may result in dilution to our shareholders.
As of September 30, 2024 we have 3,431,434 Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding, which does not include the number of shares to be issued under (i) warrants issued in July 2024 ("2024 Warrants") and (ii) convertible notes. The 2024 Warrants, if fully exercised, would raise a total of US$0.525 million and are for a term of 2 years expiring in 2026 and can be exercised at an exercise price of US$1.30 for each share. Under the 2024 Warrant agreement, the warrant holder cannot exercise the warrant to subscribe for shares in the Company if such exercise would take the warrant holder over 19.99% shareholding in the Company. As at the date of this report, all the 2024 Warrants are outstanding. There are 2 convertible notes. The 2023 convertible note is US$15.0 million and can convert into shares in the Company at a conversion price of US$1.42 per share. The 2024 convertible note is US$0.350 million and can convert into shares in the Company at a conversion price of US$1.25 per share. These convertible notes are exercisable for a period of 2 years to November 2025 and July 2026 respectfully. If the warrants are exercised or the convertible notes are converted, additional Ordinary Shares will be issued and would dilute our shareholders.
In addition, to the extent that we conduct additional equity offerings, additional Ordinary Shares will be issued, which may result in dilution to our current shareholders. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market would also result in further dilution to our shareholders and could adversely affect the market price of our Ordinary Shares.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12
If we fail to comply with internal control evaluations and attestation requirements our stock price could be adversely affected.
We are subject to United States securities laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC pursuant to such Act. As a foreign private issuer, under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related regulations, we will be required to perform an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting, including (1) management's annual report on its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and (2) our independent registered public accounting firm's annual audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In 2010, the enactment of the Dodd Frank Bill resulted in an exemption from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for fiscal 2010 onwards, meaning that we did not have to comply with point (2) above. For further information, see "Item 15 - Controls and Procedures - Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting."
The requirements of Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are ongoing and also apply to future years. We expect that our internal control over financial reporting will continue to evolve as our business develops. Although we are committed to continue to improve our internal control processes and we will continue to diligently and vigorously review our internal control over financial reporting in order to ensure compliance with the Section 404 requirements, any control system, regardless of how well designed, operated and evaluated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Therefore, we cannot be certain that in the future additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies will not exist or otherwise be discovered. If our efforts to remediate weaknesses identified are not successful or if other deficiencies occur, these weaknesses or deficiencies could result in misstatements of our results of operations, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, or other material effects on our business, reputation, results of operations, financial conditions or liquidity.
Accounting & Financial Operations6 | 7.1%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are ineffective due to the existence of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired, and the market price of our securities may be negatively affected.
A material weakness (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Based upon this evaluation, management has identified a deficiency related to adequate number of personnel which makes reporting process susceptible to management override, lack of technical accounting expertise and lack of formal accounting process over key accounting areas. These internal control failures did not result in material adjustment to the accounts in the current year. If these deficiencies are not correct, then they could lead to adjustments in our accounts in the future which could negatively affect the market price of our securities.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
We have never paid a dividend and we do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future which means that holders of shares may not receive any return on their investment from dividends.
To date, we have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our Ordinary Shares and currently intend to retain any future earnings for funding growth. We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Dividends may only be paid out of our profits. Payment of cash dividends, if any, in the future will be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company. Our holders of shares may not receive any return on their investment from dividends. The success of your investment will likely depend entirely upon any future appreciation of the market price of our Ordinary Shares, which is uncertain and unpredictable. There is no guarantee that our Ordinary Shares will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased your Ordinary Shares.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Our limited operating history and rapidly evolving business makes it difficult for us to accurately forecast revenues and expenses, and it may be difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
We have a limited operating history on which to base an evaluation of our business and prospects, especially since our businesses are recently established. Our operating results may fluctuate because of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our prospects must be considered in light of inherent risks, expenses, and difficulties encountered by companies in their early stages of development.
Some of the other risks and uncertainties of our business relate to our ability to:
-offer innovative products and services across our businesses to attract and retain customer base;-attract customers;-increase awareness of our brand and continue to develop consumer and customer loyalty;-respond to competitive market conditions;-respond to changes in our regulatory environment;-manage risks associated with intellectual property rights;-maintain effective control of our costs and expenses;-raise sufficient capital to sustain and expand our business;-attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; and -upgrade our technology to support increased traffic and expanded services.
If we are unsuccessful in addressing any of these risks and uncertainties, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
We have a history of operating losses and may not achieve profitability in the future.
We have a long history of operating losses and, unless we are able to generate sufficient and consistent revenue, we will incur losses from operations and may not achieve or maintain profitability. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $53,821,478. For the year ended December 31, 2023 we recorded loss of $18,350,112 which was mainly resulted from the Company's operating costs and the limited sales operation. In the next 12 months we plan to raise the funds necessary to roll out the Halal and the lamination manufacturing business, but there is no certainty that we can start these operations in a significant manner and derive profitability from these businesses.
If we fail to achieve profitability, or if we are unable to fund our continuing operations, our business will be harmed, and the holders of our Ordinary Shares could lose all or part of their investment. There is a substantial risk that we may not be able to fund the operation in nano-coated plate filters, the lamination operation for switchable glass, halal certification and sale of halal products, the distribution of new energy products and operating of a digital assets exchange. We will rely on deploying these businesses to generate revenue in the future. It is possible that none of them will be successfully commercialized, which would prevent us from achieving and maintaining profitability.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
We have a limited operating history, and it may be difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business.
We are just starting or will be starting our businesses in nano-coated plate filters, the lamination operation for switchable glass, halal certification and sale of halal products, the distribution of new energy products and operating of a digital assets exchange ("New Businesses"). Our limited operating history in these New Businesses makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our New Businesses or prospective operations with long term view. We are subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays inherent in these relatively new businesses. Our New Businesses may face delays in sales and financing from suppliers due to our new entry into the market of our products or services which may face challenges in consumer recognition and acceptance, where more established players and products have better resources to penetrate the markets. Moreover, as a new entrant in these competitive markets, we face many questions about our Company, organization, finances, and product information before distributors are willing to carry our products into their network. Thus, it takes additional time to establish a distributor network for our products, and for these distributors to accept our products into their network. Our products may never be accepted by distributors and thereby hinder our ability to sell our products in the target markets. Investors should evaluate an investment in us considering the uncertainties encountered by such companies in a competitive environment. Our New Businesses is dependent upon the implementation of our business plan for each business segment, as well as the ability to access continuous innovation in our products and improve our services. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will be able to attain profitability.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring every public company to include in its annual report a management report on such company's internal controls over financial reporting which contains management's assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, if the Company qualifies under certain revenue or market capitalization test an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on management's assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on management's assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal controls over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over financial reporting are not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may still decline to attest to our management's assessment or may issue a report that is qualified if they are not satisfied with our controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. Our reporting obligations as a public company will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We are a Company with a small team of accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal financial controls and procedures. If we fail to timely achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal financial controls, we may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. Moreover, effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the market price of our shares.
Debt & Financing7 | 8.2%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
We operate in a capital-intensive industry and require a significant amount of cash to fund our lamination operations and to manufacture our electronic glass. If we fail to obtain sufficient capital to fund our lamination equipment and operations, our business, financial condition and future prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
The operation of manufacturing electronic glass requires significant and continuous investment in equipment. Manufacturing electronic glass is costly due to the need to build up inventory for large construction projects which typically requires the glass to be installed at the final stage of construction. The ability and possibly the need to fund this working capital requirement may determine the ability to win contracts. If we cannot obtain adequate capital to meet our capital needs, we may not be able to fully execute our strategic plans for growth and our business, financial condition and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Debt & Financing - Risk 2
The value of NFT is uncertain and may subject us to unforeseeable risks.
NFTs are unique, one-of-a-kind digital assets made possible by certain digital asset network protocols. Because of their non-fungible nature, NFTs introduce digital scarcity and have become popular as online "collectibles," similar to physical rare collectible items, such as trading cards or art pieces. Like real world collectibles, the value of NFTs may be prone to "boom and bust" cycles as popularity increases and subsequently subsides. If any of these bust cycles were to occur, it could adversely affect the value of certain of our future strategies. In addition, because NFTs generally rely on the same types of underlying technologies as digital assets, most risks applicable to digital assets are also applicable to NFTs, which will subject us to general digital assets risks as described elsewhere in these risk factors.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
We will require additional financing in the future to sufficiently fund our operations.
We incurred significant losses for the past 3 years from 2021 to 2023, and we may incur losses in the future as we continue to develop our businesses in nano-coated plat filters, the lamination operation for switchable glass, halal certification and sale of halal products, the distribution of new energy products and operating of a digital assets exchange. Our actual cash requirements may vary from those now planned and will depend upon many factors, including: the timing, costs and results of commercialization of our products; the commercial potential of our products; our ability to outsource manufacturing capabilities; and the status and timing of competitive developments.
We anticipate that the development of our businesses including the capital-intensive lamination operation for our switchable glass operation, will require additional funds to achieve our long-term goals of commercialization. In addition, we will require funds to defend our intellectual property rights, outsource manufacturing capacity, develop marketing and sales capability and fund operating expenses for all our products. We intend to seek such additional funding through public or private financing and or other arrangements with corporate partners. However, such financing, licensing opportunities or other arrangements may not be available from any sources on acceptable terms, or at all. Any shortfall in funding could result in our having to curtail or sell or cease our operations, which would harm our business, financial conditions, and results of operations.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
We have limited cash resources and if we cannot raise additional funds or generate more revenues, we will not be able to pay our vendors and will probably not be able to continue as a going concern.
We will need to raise additional funds to pay outstanding debts, purchase lamination equipment, vendor invoices and execute our business plan. Our future cash flows depend on our ability to enter, and be paid under, contracts with our distributors for the sale of halal products, switchable glass and nano-coated plate filters and air purifiers, and products from our other operations. There can be no assurance that additional funds will be available when needed from any source or, if available, will be available on terms that are acceptable to us.
We may be required to pursue sources of additional capital through various means, including joint venture projects and debt or equity financing. Future financing through equity investments will be dilutive to existing shareholders. Also, the terms of securities we may issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable for our new investors. Newly issued securities may include preferences, superior voting rights, and the issuance of warrants or other convertible securities, which will have additional dilutive effects. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital and/or financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which will adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the weakness of capital markets and the fact that we have incurred a substantial loss in the past few years which could impact the availability or cost of future financing. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our revenues from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs, even to the extent that we reduce our operations, we may be required to sell or cease operations.
Debt & Financing - Risk 5
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our operating subsidiary to fund cash and financing requirements, and limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us could materially restrict our ability to conduct our business.
We, as a holding company, may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our operating Malaysia companies for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to the parent company, service any debt we may incur and pay our operating expenses. If these Malaysia subsidiaries incurs debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
Debt & Financing - Risk 6
Our insurance strategy may not be adequate to protect us from all business risks.
We may be subject, in the ordinary course of business, to losses resulting from products liability, accidents, acts of God and other claims against us, for which we may have no insurance coverage. A loss that is uninsured or which exceeds policy limits may require us to pay substantial amounts, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
We are subject to all of the ordinary course operating hazards and risks that may come with the provision of our products and services and business operations. In addition to contractual provisions limiting our liability to business customers and third parties, we maintain insurance policies in such amounts and with such coverage and deductibles as required by law and that we believe are reasonable and prudent. Nevertheless, such insurance may not be adequate to protect us from all the liabilities and expenses that may arise from claims for personal injury, death or property damage arising in the ordinary course of our business and current levels of insurance may not be able to be maintained or be available at economical prices. If a significant liability claim is brought against us that is not covered by insurance, then we may have to pay the claim with our own funds, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. We may not be able to secure additional product liability insurance coverage on commercially acceptable terms or at reasonable costs when needed, particularly if we do face liability for its products and are forced to make a claim under our policy.
Debt & Financing - Risk 7
We may seek to raise additional funds, finance acquisitions or develop strategic relationships by issuing securities that would dilute your ownership. Depending on the terms available to us, if these activities result in significant dilution, it may negatively impact the trading price of our Ordinary Shares.
We have financed our operations, and we expect to continue to finance our operations, acquisitions, if any, and the development of strategic relationships by issuing equity and/or convertible securities, which could significantly reduce the percentage ownership of our existing shareholders. Further, any additional financing that we secure, may require the granting of rights, preferences or privileges senior to, or pari passu with, those holders of our Ordinary Shares. Any issuances by us of equity securities may be at or below the prevailing market price of our Ordinary Shares and in any event may have a dilutive impact on your ownership interest, which could cause the market price of our Ordinary Shares to decline. We may also raise additional funds through the incurrence of debt or the issuance or sale of other securities or instruments senior to our Ordinary Shares. The holders of any securities or instruments we may issue may have rights superior to the rights of our shareholders. If we experience dilution from the issuance of additional securities and we grant superior rights to new securities over our shareholders, it may negatively impact the trading price of our Ordinary Shares and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Corporate Activity and Growth4 | 4.7%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our Company may experience, and continues to experience, rapid growth in operations, which may place, and may continue to place, significant demands on its management, operational and financial infrastructure.
If the Company does not effectively manage its growth, the quality of its products and services could suffer, which could negatively affect the Company's brand and operating results. To effectively manage this growth, the Company will need to continue to improve its operational, financial and management controls and its reporting systems and procedures. Failure to implement these improvements could hurt the Company's ability to manage its growth and financial position.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
The development of our business is dependent upon the completion and integration of acquisitions and other transactions that have only recently closed or incurred in the future.
Our business may not be successful if we are unable to successfully operate and integrate businesses we acquire such as the nano-coated plate filter business or the new energy business. Accordingly, it is difficult to evaluate our business based upon our historical financial results. We expect to continually look for new businesses to acquire to develop and grow our operations. If we fail to identify such businesses or are unable to acquire such businesses on reasonable terms, or fail to successfully integrate such businesses, our operating results and prospects could be harmed.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
We may be unsuccessful in integrating the operations of the business we have acquired or expect to acquire in the future.
From time to time, we may acquire businesses, assets, or securities of companies that we believe will provide a strategic fit with our business. We integrate acquired businesses with our existing operations; our overall internal control over financial reporting processes; and our financial, operations, and information systems. If the financial performance of our business, as supplemented by the assets and businesses acquired, does not meet our expectations, it may make it more difficult for us to deliver positive results from the combined operations and may fail to meet market expectations. We may not effectively assimilate the business or product offerings of acquired companies into our business or within the anticipated costs or timeframes, retain key customers and suppliers or key employees of acquired businesses, or successfully implement our business plan for the combined business. In addition, our final determinations and appraisals of the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our acquisitions may vary materially from earlier estimates and we may fail to realize fully anticipated cost savings, growth opportunities or other potential synergies. We cannot be assured that the fair value of acquired businesses or investments will remain constant.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
To the extent we are able to enter into collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances, we will be exposed to risks related to those collaborations and alliances.
An important element of our strategy for developing, manufacturing and commercializing our nano-coated plate filter and halal products is entering into partnerships and strategic alliances with other distribution companies or other industry participants to advance our distribution capabilities and enable us to maintain our financial and operational capacity. We may not be able to negotiate alliances on acceptable terms, if at all. Although we are not currently parties to any collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances that we believe are material to our business. In the future we may rely on collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances to complete the development and commercialization of some of our nano-coated plate filter and halal products. Although we have no specific reason to believe that we will be at a disadvantage when negotiating such collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances, our negotiating position will be influenced by our financial capacity at the relevant time to continue the development and commercialization of the relevant products, as well as the timing of any such negotiations and the stage of development of the relevant product candidate. These arrangements may result in us receiving less revenue than if we sold such products directly, may place the development, sales, and marketing of our products outside our control, may require us to relinquish important rights or may otherwise be on terms unfavorable to us. Collaborative arrangements or strategic alliances will subject us to several risks, including the risk that:
- we may not be able to control the amount and timing of resources that our strategic partners/collaborators may devote to our products;- our strategic partners/collaborators may experience financial difficulties;- we may be required to relinquish important rights such as marketing and distribution rights;- business combinations or significant changes in a collaborator's business strategy may also adversely affect a collaborator's willingness or ability to complete its obligations under any arrangement;- a collaborator could independently move forward with a competing product developed either independently or in collaboration with others, including our competitors; and - collaborative arrangements are often terminated or allowed to expire, which would delay the development and may increase the cost of developing our product candidates.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 15/85 (18%)Below Sector Average
Innovation / R&D3 | 3.5%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
The technology underlying blockchain technology is subject to a number of industry-wide challenges and risks relating to consumer acceptance of blockchain technology. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain networks and blockchain assets would have a material adverse effect on the successful development of our NFT marketplace platform.
The growth of the blockchain industry is subject to a high degree of uncertainty regarding consumer adoption and long-term development. The factors affecting the further development of the blockchain and NFT industry include, without limitation:
- Worldwide growth in the adoption and use of NFTs and other blockchain technologies;- government and quasi-government regulation of NFTs and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of blockchain networks or similar systems;- the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of blockchain networks;- changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences;- the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, or trading assets, including new means of using government-backed currencies or existing networks;- the extent to which current interest in NFTs represents a speculative "bubble";- general economic conditions in the United States and the world;- the regulatory environment relating to NFTs and blockchains; and - a decline in the popularity or acceptance of NFTs or other digital assets.
The NFT industry as a whole has been characterized by rapid changes and innovations and is constantly evolving. Although it has experienced significant growth in recent years, the slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of blockchain networks and blockchain assets may deter or delay the acceptance and adoption of NFTs.
The slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of blockchain networks or blockchain assets may adversely impact the value of NFTs. The value of specific NFTs relies on the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of the applicable blockchain network which depends on ability to readily access the applicable network.
Innovation / R&D - Risk 2
If we cannot continue to innovate technologically or develop, market and sell new products and services, or enhance existing technology and products and services to meet customer requirements, our ability to grow our revenue could be impaired.
Our growth largely depends on our ability to innovate and add value to our existing creative platform and to provide our customers and contributors with a scalable, high-performing technology infrastructure that can efficiently and reliably handle increased customer and contributor usage globally, as well as the deployment of new features. We will continually make investments to maintain and enhance the technology and infrastructure and to evolve our information processes and computer systems in order to run our business more efficiently and remain competitive. We may not achieve the anticipated benefits, significant growth or increased market share from these investments for several years, if at all. If we are unable to manage our investments successfully or in a cost-efficient manner, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Innovation / R&D - Risk 3
If we are unable to keep pace with technological change or with the advances of our competitors our products may become non-competitive.
The technologies used in IMTE Products including new energy products and nano-coating products are subject to rapid and significant technological change. Our competitors in the USA and Australia and elsewhere are numerous and include, among others, major technology companies, large electronics companies, universities and other research institutions. These competitors may develop technologies and products that are more effective, or which would render the technology in our IMTE Products obsolete or non-competitive. Many of these competitors have greater financial and technical resources and manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do. In addition, many of our competitors have much more experience in marketing, sales and commercializing new technologies of new or improved IMTE Products.
Our nano-coated plate filter's manufacturing technology is from a third party, and to the extent that the equipment manufacturer will be able to continuously develop and upgrade the nano-coated plate filter technology to keep our nano-coated plate products competitive will determine the success of our business. If our equipment manufacturer is not able to innovate their technology to match our competitors' technology development, then there is a risk that our nano-coated products will become uncompetitive in the market place which may have an adverse effect in our nano-coated plate business, financial condition and results of operations.
Trade Secrets7 | 8.2%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Our success depends upon our ability to protect our intellectual property and our proprietary technology.
Our success will depend in large part on whether we can:
- Obtain and maintain patents to protect our own products;- Obtain licenses to relevant patented technologies of third parties;- Operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties; and - Protect our trade secrets and know-how.
Patent matters in industrial and consumer electronics are highly uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Accordingly, the availability and breadth of claims allowed in electronics patents cannot be predicted. The enforceability of a patent depends on several factors that may vary amongst jurisdictions. These factors may include the novelty of the invention, the requirement that the invention not be obvious in light of prior art (including prior use or publication of the invention), the utility of the invention, and the extent to which the patent clearly describes the best method of working the invention.
While we intend to seek patent protection, when applicable, for some of our filter products and technologies, we cannot be certain that any of the future patent applications filed by us or on our behalf will be approved. We also cannot be certain that others will not independently develop similar products or processes, duplicate any of the products or processes developed by us previously or licensed to us, or design around the patents owned or licensed by us, or that any patents owned or licensed by us will provide us with competitive advantages. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that patents held by third parties will not prevent the commercialization of products incorporating the technology developed by us or licensed to us, or that third parties will not challenge or seek to narrow, invalidate or circumvent any of the issued, pending or future patents owned or licensed by us.
We may have to resort to litigation to enforce any patents issued or licensed to us or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights. We may have to defend the validity of our patents in order to protect or enforce our rights against a third party, or third parties may in the future assert against us infringement claims regarding proprietary rights belonging to them. Such proceedings could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources and could negatively affect our profitability. Adverse determinations in any such proceedings could prevent us from developing and commercializing our products and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our commercial success will also depend, in part, on our ability to avoid infringement of patents issued to others. If a court determines that we were infringing any third-party patents, we could be required to pay damages, alter our products or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. We cannot be certain that the licenses required under patents held by third parties would be made available on terms acceptable to us or at all. To the extent that we are unable to obtain such licenses, we could be foreclosed from the development, manufacture or commercialization of the product requiring such license or encounter delays in product introductions while we attempt to design around such patents, and any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to patent protection, we rely on unpatented trade secrets and know-how and proprietary technological innovation and expertise that are protected in part by confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees, advisors and consultants. We cannot make any assurances that we will have adequate remedies for any breach. In addition, third parties could independently develop the same or similar technologies.
Trade Secrets - Risk 2
If we are not able to protect and control unpatented trade secrets, know-how and other technological innovation, we may suffer competitive harm.
In addition to patented intellectual property, we also rely on unpatented technology, trade secrets, confidential information and know-how to protect our technology and maintain our competitive position. Trade secrets are difficult to protect. In order to protect proprietary technology and processes, we rely in part on confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants and others. These agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of confidential information or result in the effective assignment to us of intellectual property, and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or other breaches of the agreements. In addition, others may independently discover trade secrets and proprietary information that have been licensed to us or that we own, and in such case, we could not assert any trade secret rights against such party. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally obtained and is using trade secrets that have been licensed to us or that we own is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, courts outside the United States and Australia may be less willing to protect trade secrets. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to seek to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Trade Secrets - Risk 3
We do not have patent protection in certain countries and we may not be able to effectively enforce our intellectual property rights in certain countries, which could significantly erode the market for our product candidates.
We intend to seek regulatory approval to market our product candidates in a number of overseas countries. Our product candidates are not protected by patents in certain countries, which means that competitors may be free to sell products that incorporate the same technology that is used in our products in those countries. In addition, the laws and practices in some foreign countries may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as in the United States or Australia. We may not be able to effectively obtain, maintain or enforce rights with respect to the intellectual property relating to our product candidates in those countries. Our lack of patent protection in one or more countries, or the inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights in one or more countries, could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products in those countries and could otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business.
Trade Secrets - Risk 4
We may need to defend ourselves against and may face liability in respect of claims for infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others, which may be time-consuming and could cause us to incur substantial costs and/or materially impact our ability to operate.
From time to time, legal action by us may be necessary to enforce our contractual rights, to protect our manufacturing and distribution operation or to defend against claims of infringement, misappropriation or invalidity. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Others, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, copyrights, trademarks or other proprietary rights that could prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, or sell its products and services, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. We may receive inquiries from holders of patents or trademarks inquiring whether we are infringing their proprietary rights and/or seek court declarations that they do not infringe upon our rights.
We may consider entering into licensing agreements with respect to such rights, although no assurance can be given that such licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms or that litigation will not occur, and such licenses could significantly increase our operating expenses. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights relating to switchable glass or nano-coated plating technologies may bring suits alleging infringement of such rights or otherwise asserting their rights and seeking licenses. In addition, if we are determined to have infringed upon a third party's intellectual property rights, it may be required to cease making, selling or incorporating certain components or intellectual property into the goods and services it offers, to pay substantial damages and/or license royalties, obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all, to redesign its products and services, and/or to establish and maintain alternative branding for its products and services. In the event that we were required to take one or more such actions, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.
We cannot be certain that our products and services or those of third parties that we incorporate into our products do not and will not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. We do not own any patent technologies but rely on our equipment suppliers and technology partners. In future, we may be subject to claims based on allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of the intellectual property rights of others, including litigation brought by competitors, potential competitors or special purpose or so-called "non-practicing" entities that focus solely on extracting royalties and settlements by enforcing intellectual property rights and against whom our patents may therefore provide little or no deterrence or protection.
Regardless of their merits, intellectual property claims divert the attention of our personnel and are often time-consuming and expensive. In addition, to the extent claims against us are successful, we may have to pay substantial monetary damages (including, for example, treble damages if we are found to have wilfully infringed patents and increased statutory damages if we are found to have wilfully infringed copyrights) or discontinue or modify certain products or services that are found to infringe another party's rights or enter into licensing agreements with costly royalty payments. Defending against claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violations or being deemed to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of others could impair our ability to innovate, develop, distribute and sell our current and planned products and services. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of own confidential information could be compromised by the discovery process. Although claims of this kind have not materially affected our business to date, there can be no assurance material claims will not arise in the future.
Trade Secrets - Risk 5
If we infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, it may increase our costs or prevent us from the commercialization our product candidates.
There is a risk that we are or may infringe the proprietary rights of third parties of which we are unaware. There has been substantial litigation and other proceedings regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the electronic and new energy industries. To date, we have not been involved in any such third-party claims and we are not aware that our products (digital asset trading platform, ecommerce platform for halal products, nano-coated plate filters and air purifiers, new energy products and switchable glass) infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. The consequent of any possible future intellectual property infringement claims, we might be:
- prohibited from selling or licensing any products or digital asset trading or ecommerce platforms that we may develop unless the patent holder licenses the patent to us, which it is not required to do;- required to expend considerable amounts of money in defending the claim;- required to pay substantial royalties or grant a cross license to our patents to another patent holder;- required to redesign the formulation of a product so that it does not infringe, which may not be possible or could require substantial funds and time; or - required to pay substantial monetary damages.
Trade Secrets - Risk 6
We may face intellectual property infringement claims and other related claims that could be time-consuming and costly to defend and may result in our inability to continue providing certain of our existing services.
Technology and service companies are frequently involved in litigation based on allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights, unfair competition, and invasion of privacy, defamation, and other violations of third-party rights. The validity, enforceability, and scope of protection of intellectual property are uncertain and continually evolving. In addition, many parties are actively developing and seeking protection for electronics technologies, including seeking patent protections. 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 Asia and elsewhere in Europe and the United States for resolving commercial disputes, we face a higher risk of being the subject of intellectual property infringement claims.
Intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming and could divert resources and management attention from the operations of our businesses. If there is a successful claim of infringement, we may be required to pay substantial fines and damages or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to obtain a license of the rights on a timely basis could harm our business. Any intellectual property litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Trade Secrets - Risk 7
Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights could have a negative impact on our business.
We believe our brand, trade names, trademarks and other intellectual property are critical to our success. The success of our business depends substantially upon our continued ability to use our brand, trade names and trademarks to increase brand awareness and to further develop our brand. The unauthorized reproduction of our trade names or trademarks could diminish the value of our brand and our market acceptance, competitive advantages or goodwill. In addition, our proprietary information, which has not been patented or otherwise registered as our property, is a component of our competitive advantage and our growth strategy.
Monitoring and preventing the unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult. The measures we take to protect our brand, trade names, trademarks and other intellectual property rights may not be adequate to prevent their unauthorized use by third parties. In addition, the application of laws governing intellectual property rights in Malaysia and other countries are uncertain and evolving, and could involve substantial risks to us. If we are unable to adequately protect our brand, trade names, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, we may lose these rights and our business may suffer materially. Further, unauthorized use of our brands, trade names or trademarks could cause brand confusion among advertisers and harm our reputation as a provider of high quality and comprehensive advertising services. If our brand recognition decreases, we may lose advertisers and fail in our expansion strategies, and our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
Cyber Security1 | 1.2%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Security breaches and attacks against our internal systems and network, and any potential resulting breach or failure to otherwise protect confidential and proprietary information, could damage our reputation and negatively impact our business, as well as materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Although we have employed resources to develop security measures against unauthorized access to our systems and networks, our cybersecurity measures may not successfully detect or prevent all unauthorized attempts to access the data on our network or compromise and disable our systems. Unauthorized access to our network and systems may result in the misappropriation of information or data, deletion or modification of user information, or a denial-of-service or other interruption to our business operations. As techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to or sabotage systems change frequently and may not be known until launched against us or our third-party service providers, we may be unable to anticipate, or implement adequate measures to protect against these attacks. If we are unable to avert these attacks and security breaches, we could be subject to significant legal and financial liability, our reputation would be harmed, and we could sustain substantial revenue loss from user dissatisfaction. We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyber-attacks. Actual or anticipated attacks and risks may cause us to incur significantly higher costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and network protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants. Cybersecurity breaches would not only harm our reputation and business, but also could materially decrease our revenue and net income.
Technology4 | 4.7%
Technology - Risk 1
Disruption or failure of our IT systems could impair our users' online experience and adversely affect our reputation.
Our ability to provide users with a high-quality online experience on our marketplace and e-commerce platform depends on the continuous and reliable operation of our IT systems. We cannot assure you that we will be able to procure sufficient bandwidth in a timely manner or on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to do so may significantly impair user experience on our platform and decrease the overall effectiveness of our platform to our users.
If we experience frequent or persistent service disruptions, whether caused by failures of our own systems or those of third-party service providers, our users' experience may be negatively affected, which in turn, may have a material and adverse effect on our reputation. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in minimizing the frequency or duration of service interruptions.
Technology - Risk 2
The creation of non-fungible token ("NFT") marketplace is dependent on our ability to develop an acceptable blockchain.
Our ability to create NFTs that can be minted, accepted and transferred is dependent on our ability to develop an accepted and secured blockchain. Failure to develop a secured and reliable blockchain, will adversely affect our ability to create a marketplace where our users can trade, purchase and sell their NFTs.
Technology - Risk 3
Potential technological changes in our field of businesses create considerable uncertainty.
We are not conducting research and development on our products. However, our competitors and other experts in new energy products, nano-coated plate air filters and switchable glass products and any products now and in the future the Company manufactures or sells ("IMTE Products") are continuously and extensively conducting research in the relevant technologies. New developments in research are expected to continue at a rapid pace in both industry and academia. Research and discoveries by others may render some or all our products uncompetitive or obsolete.
Technology - Risk 4
Our Company's business faces inherent risk in the switchable glass and halal products and services.
Our Company's business is subject to certain risks inherent in the switchable glass and halal products and services. Our Company's revenue and operating results could be adversely affect by many factors which include, amongst others, changes in general economic, business and credit conditions, fluctuation in foreign exchange rates, changes in demand for and market acceptance of our products and services, our ability to introduce new products and services and enhancements in a timely manner, rapid technological changes, increase in operating expenses, lower profit margins due to pricing competition and delay in expansion plans.
Our Company seeks to limit these business risks through, inter-alia prudent management policies, keeping abreast with new developments and technologies in the relevant industries and maintaining good relationship with customers and suppliers. However, there can be no assurance that any changes in these factors will not have any material adverse effect on our Company's business.
Production
Total Risks: 13/85 (15%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing4 | 4.7%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
If we are unable to achieve our targeted manufacturing costs for our products, our financial condition and operating results will suffer.
While we will continue reduce costs in our operations and from our suppliers, including through economies of scale in increased production, there is no guarantee that we will be able to achieve sufficient cost savings to reach our planned gross margin and profitability goals, or our other financial targets. If our efforts to continue to decrease manufacturing costs are not successful, we may incur substantial costs or cost overruns in utilizing and increasing the production capability of our manufacturing facility. Many of the factors that impact our manufacturing costs are beyond our control, such as potential increases in the costs of materials and components. If we are unable to continue to control and reduce our manufacturing costs, our operating results, business and prospects will be harmed.
Manufacturing - Risk 2
Our production of products from lamination machinery and nano-coat plating equipment involves a significant degree of risk and uncertainty in terms of operational performance and costs.
We rely on complex machinery for production of our products, and we may experience unexpected malfunctions from time to time requiring repairs and spare parts to fix the equipment. The availability of spare parts may not be available when needed. Unexpected malfunctions of our lamination and nano-coated plate filter equipment ("Manufacturing Equipment") may significantly affect our operational efficiency and production. In addition, the operational performance and costs associated with the Manufacturing Equipment can be difficult to predict and may be influenced by factors outside of our control, such as, but not limited to, failures by suppliers to deliver necessary equipment components in a timely manner and at prices and volumes acceptable to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our operational performance, cash flows, financial condition, or prospects.
Manufacturing - Risk 3
If our products fail to perform as expected, our ability to develop, market and sell our products and services could be harmed.
If our products of nano-coated plate filters or our lamination glass products to be manufactured contain defects in design and manufacture that cause them not to perform as expected or that require repair, or certain features of its products take longer than expected to become enabled or are legally restricted, our ability to develop, sell, and service its products could be harmed. Although we will attempt to remedy any issues it observes in its products as effectively and rapidly as possible, such efforts may not be timely, may hamper production or may not be to the satisfaction of our customers. While we will perform extensive internal testing on the products we manufacture, we currently have a limited frame of reference by which to evaluate detailed long-term quality, reliability, durability and performance characteristics of our products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix any defects in our products prior to their sale to our customers.
Our inability to provide products or services in a timely manner, legal restrictions on product features, or defects in our products or services, including products and services of third parties that we incorporate into our product offerings, could adversely affect our reputation, result in delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, and significant warranty and other expenses, and subject the Company to claims or litigation. In addition, our inability to meet our customers' expectations with respect to our products or services could affect our ability to generate new business customers and thereby have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flow or results of operations.
Manufacturing - Risk 4
We have limited manufacturing experience with our production candidates. Delays in manufacturing sufficient quantities of products may negatively impact our business and operations.
We have limited manufacturing experience. We will manufacture nano-coated plate filters and we expect to commercially operate the lamination lines for the switchable glass in 2025, subject to raising the necessary funds to roll out the business and hire the necessary staff with proper experience and expertise. If we do not raise sufficient resources, we may not be able to recruit the expertise, staffing and technical capability to operate a successful and profitable manufacturing operation. We may need to develop additional manufacturing resources, enter collaborative arrangements with other parties or have third parties manufacture our products on a contract basis. We may not have access, on acceptable terms, to financing required to scale-up production and develop commercial manufacturing processes. We may not be able to enter collaborative or contractual arrangements on acceptable terms with third parties that will meet our requirements for quality, quantity, and timeliness. Such delays and hurdles could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Employment / Personnel3 | 3.5%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
The success of our business depends on the continuing contributions of key personnel who may terminate their employment with us at any time, and we will need to hire additional qualified personnel.
We rely heavily on the services of technical and management personnel. Loss of the services of any such individuals would adversely impact our operations. In addition, we believe our technical personnel represent a significant asset and provide us with a competitive advantage over many of our competitors and that our future success will depend upon our ability to retain these key employees and our ability to attract and retain other skilled financial, engineering, technical and managerial personnel. We do not currently maintain any "key man" life insurance with respect to any of such individuals.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
Our success depends on the continuing efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel and our business may be harmed if we lose their services.
Our future success depends heavily upon the continuing services of the members of our senior management. If one or more of our senior executives or other key personnel are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all, and our business may be disrupted and our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Competition for senior management and key personnel is intense, the pool of qualified candidates is very limited, and we may not be able to retain the services of our senior executives or key personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or key personnel in the future.
In addition, if any member of our senior management team or any of our other key personnel joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, distributors, know-how and key professionals and staff members. Each of our executive officers and key employees has entered into an employment agreement with us which contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. Legal proceedings to enforce such provisions would be costly in both money and management time and such provisions may not be enforced or enforceable.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 3
We rely on highly skilled personnel and if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire qualified personnel, we may not be able to grow effectively.
Our performance and future success depends on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. We will need to continue to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. Competition in our industry for qualified employees is intense. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees.
As competition in our industry intensifies, it may be more difficult for us to hire, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel. If we do not succeed in doing so, we may be unable to grow effectively.
Supply Chain3 | 3.5%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We rely on certain third-party providers of licensed software and services integral to our operations.
Certain aspects of the operation of our business may depend on third-party software and service providers. With regard to licensed software technology, we may become dependent upon the ability of third parties to maintain, enhance or develop their software and services on a timely and cost-effective basis, to meet industry technological standards and innovations to deliver software and services that are free of defects or security vulnerabilities, and to ensure their software and services are free from disruptions or interruptions. Further, these third-party services and software licenses may not always be available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
If the third-party software or services become obsolete, fail to function properly, are incompatible with future versions of our products or services, or are defective or otherwise fail to address our needs, there is no assurance that we would be able to replace the functionality provided by any future third-party software or services with software or services from alternative providers. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
Supply Chain - Risk 2
To the extent we rely significantly on contractors, we will be exposed to risks related to the business conditions of our contractors.
We rely on a variety of contractors to manufacture our air filters and air purifier products. Adverse events that affect one or more of our contractors could adversely affect us. For example:
- a contractor is unable to retain key staff that have been working on our manufacturing orders;- a contractor produces substandard products that are unacceptable to us;- a contractor is unable to sustain operations due to financial or other business issues;- a contractor loses its business permits or licenses that may be required to manufacture our products; or - errors, negligence or misconduct that occur within a contractor may adversely affect our business concerns although we may not be directly responsible.
Supply Chain - Risk 3
We do not have any access or working relationship with metaverse universe platform and no assurance can be given that we will have a third party metaverse platform that will be accepted by our users or generate sufficient interest.
We do not have a metaverse platform to feature our NFT. It is our intent that we will cooperate with a metaverse platform featuring a virtual world containing immersive experiences in social networking, gaming and NFT, boasting a wide range of "online + offline" and "virtual + reality" scenarios to promote the development of new content by creators and owners of NFT.
Costs3 | 3.5%
Costs - Risk 1
If we do not effectively manage our sales channel inventory and product mix, we may incur costs associated with excess inventory, or lose sales from having too few products.
We determine production levels based on our forecasts of demand for our products. Actual demand for our products depends on many factors, which makes it difficult to forecast. We have experienced differences between our actual demand and our forecasted demand in the past year and expect differences to arise in the future. If we improperly forecast demand for our products, we could end up with too many products and be unable to sell the excess inventory in a timely manner, if at all, or alternatively, we could end up with too few products and not able to satisfy demand. This problem is exacerbated because we attempt to closely match inventory levels with product demand leaving a limited margin for error. If these events occur, we could incur increased expenses associated with writing off excessive or obsolete inventory, lose sales, incur penalties for later delivery, or have to ship products by air freight, a higher cost transportation mode, to meet immediate demand, and suffering a corresponding decline in gross margins.
Costs - Risk 2
The prices of digital assets are extremely volatile.
Decreases in the price of even a single other digital asset may cause volatility in the entire digital asset industry and may affect the value of other digital assets. For example, a security breach or any other incident or set of circumstances that affects purchaser or user confidence in a well-known digital asset may affect the industry as a whole and may also cause the price of other digital assets, including NFTs, to fluctuate.
Costs - Risk 3
We have no business insurance coverage.
We do not have any business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations. Any business disruption, litigation or natural disaster may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 12/85 (14%)Below Sector Average
Competition4 | 4.7%
Competition - Risk 1
We may not be able to compete effectively in the highly competitive halal food markets.
The halal food markets are highly competitive. In addition, many of our principal competitors are large, diversified companies with resources significantly greater than ours. We expect strong competition to continue, including competition for adequate distribution and competition for the limited shelf space for the halal categories in supermarkets and other retail food outlets. Competition in our product categories is based on product innovation, product quality, price, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing, promotional activity, and the ability to identify and satisfy consumer preferences. Our ability to increase our revenue could also be adversely impacted if we are not successful in introducing innovative products in response to changing consumer demands or by new product introductions of our competitors. If we are unable to build and sustain brand equity by offering recognizably superior product quality, we may be unable to maintain pricing advantages over competitive products.
From time to time, our customers experience price pressure in some of our markets as a result of competitors' promotional pricing practices as well as general market conditions. Our failure to match or exceed our competitors' cost reductions through innovative products and other improvements could weaken our competitive position. Competition is based on product quality, reliability, food safety, distribution effectiveness, brand loyalty, price, effective promotional activities, the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences and the ability to provide ancillary support services. We may not be able to compete effectively with these larger, more diversified companies.
Competition - Risk 2
Our Company's business faces competitions from local and foreign competitors.
Our Company faces competition from both local and foreign competitors which offer similar products that of our Company offerings. Increased competition could result in competitive pricing resulting in lower profit margins. However, our Company believes that we have several competitive edges over our competitors, including amongst others, better quality products, and technological expertise.
Our Company seeks to limit the competitive risks through, inter-alia constant review of our product development and marketing strategies to adapt to changes in economic conditions and market demands as well as focusing on certain markets and industries. However, there can be no assurance that our Company will be able to compete effectively against our competitors and that competitive pressure will not materially and adversely affect our Company's business, operations and results and or financial condition.
Competition - Risk 3
We face significant competition, which could result in decreased demand for our products or services leading to reduced margins or loss of market share and revenue.
We compete in a highly competitive market that is rapidly evolving in the halal food industry. Many companies have developed, or are expected to develop, products that compete with or will compete with our products. Furthermore, many of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater resources than we do. Many of our existing and potential competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources. These competitors may, among other things, undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, obtain more favorable pricing from suppliers and manufacturers, and exert more influence on sales channels than we can. Certain of our significant competitors also serve as key sales and marketing channels for our products, potentially giving these competitors a marketplace advantage based on their knowledge of our business activities and/or their ability to negatively influence our sales opportunities. Intense competition, rapid technological change and evolving industry standards could result in less favorable selling terms to our customers, decrease demand for our products or make our products obsolete. Our operating results and our ability to compete could be adversely affected if we are unable to: successfully and accurately anticipate customer demand; manage our product transitions, inventory levels and manufacturing processes efficiently; distribute or introduce our products quickly in response to customer demand and technological advances; differentiate our products from those of our competitors; or otherwise compete successfully in the markets for our products. If any of our competitors are successful in competing against us, our sales could decline, our margins could be negatively impacted and we could lose market share, any of which could seriously harm our business and results of operations.
Competition - Risk 4
We face significant competition and may suffer from a loss of customers as a result.
We expect to face significant competition in our nano-coated plate filter, switchable glass, halal products, new energy products, and digital assets marketplace businesses, particularly from other companies that seek to provide similar products and services. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources and more personnel than we have. They may also have longer operated histories and more experience in attracting, retaining and managing customers. They may use their experience and resources to compete with us in a variety of ways, including by competing more for users, customers, distributors, media channels and by investing more heavily in research and development and making acquisitions. If we fail to compete effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operation will be adversely affected.
Demand2 | 2.4%
Demand - Risk 1
There can be no assurance that the market for NFTs will be developed and/or sustained, which may materially adversely affect our business operations.
The market for digital assets, including, without limitation, NFTs, is still nascent. Accordingly, the market for NFTs may not develop, of if a market does develop, such value be maintained. If no market develops for NFTs in the future, it may be difficult or impossible for us to develop and maintain a marketplace where our users can trade, purchase and sell their NFTs.
Demand - Risk 2
A material change in consumer demand for our halal products could have a significant impact on our business.
For our halal business we rely on continued demands from consumers for our products. To achieve business goals, we must develop and sell halal products that appeal to consumers. If demand and growth rates fall substantially below expected levels, our results could be negatively impacted. This could occur due to unforeseen negative economic or political events or to changes in consumer trends and habits.
Sales & Marketing5 | 5.9%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
Future sales of our products may suffer if they are not accepted in the marketplace by consumers and customers.
There is a risk that our products (halal products, nano-coated plate filters and air purifier products, new energy products, and switchable glass) may not gain market acceptance by consumers and customers. The degree of market acceptance of any of our products will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- timing of market introduction; and - price and product feature compared to existing and new products.
Sales & Marketing - Risk 2
We are subject to payment processing risk.
Our marketplace and e-commerce customers pay for their services using a variety of different online payment methods. We rely on third parties to process such payments. Acceptance and processing of these payment methods are subject to certain rules and regulations and require payment of interchange and other fees. To the extent there are increases in payment processing fees, material changes in the payment ecosystem, such as delays in receiving payments from payment processors and/or changes to rules or regulations concerning payment processing, our revenues, operating expenses and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Sales & Marketing - Risk 3
Changed
If we fail to attract customers for our nano-coat plated filter, switchable glass products, halal products and services, new energy products and digital asset marketplace, our growth prospects could be seriously harmed.
Our distributors will not work with us if our products and services offerings do not sell well or do not have adequate sales margin for their sales channels. In addition, our customers will not maintain their business relationships with us if we cannot secure attractive competitive products and service offerings. Failure to retain customers, distributors or channel partners could seriously harm our business and growth prospects.
Sales & Marketing - Risk 4
Changed
Because we primarily rely on distributors in distributing our halal products, nano-coated plate filter products, new energy products and switchable glass products, our failure to retain key distributors or attract additional distributors could materially and adversely affect our business.
We mainly rely on distributors to sell our halal products, nano-coated plate filter products and switchable glass products. If our distributors do not provide quality services to its customers, they may lose customers and our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected indirectly. There is no assurance that we can maintain favorable relationships with our current distributors. Our distribution arrangements will be non-exclusive. Furthermore, some of our potential distributors may have contracts with our competitors or potential competitors and may not sign distribution agreements with us. If we fail to retain our key distributors or attract additional distributors on terms that are commercially reasonable, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Sales & Marketing - Risk 5
We may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms.
Securities analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of us since there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our Ordinary Shares. No assurance can be given that brokerage firms will, in the future, want to conduct any secondary offerings on behalf of our Company.
Brand / Reputation1 | 1.2%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
As a branded goods business, our success depends on the value and relevance of our brand and products to consumers and on our ability to innovate and remain competitive.
For halal products, consumer tastes, preferences and behaviors are constantly changing and our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes and to continue to maintain loyalty to the halal products we distribute is vital to our business. If we are unable to innovate effectively, our sales or margins could be materially adversely affected.
The successful introduction of innovative products and packaging on a periodic basis has become increasingly important to our ability to maintain and grow our sales of halal products. Accordingly, the continued acceptance of our products and the future degree of market acceptance of any of our products, which may be accompanied by significant promotional expenditures, is likely to have an important impact on our future financial results.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 9/85 (11%)Below Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment4 | 4.7%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Changed
Our operations may be materially and adversely affected by changes in the economic, political and social conditions of Malaysia, Indonesia, Europe, United Kingdom and Middle East.
Some of our non-cash assets are in, and some of our revenue is sourced from Malaysia, United Kingdom and Europe. The growth of our switchable glass businesses are expected to be derived from Malaysia or Indonesia and the Middle East. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in the countries we operate or do business in and by continued economic growth in these countries as a whole.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
Changed
Geopolitical and other challenges and uncertainties due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Middle East between Israel and its neighbors could have a material adverse effect on the global economy, certain material and commodity prices and our business.
Global markets are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty, volatility and disruption following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and the conflict between Israel and its neighbors in October 2023. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and any other geopolitical tensions could have an adverse effect on the economy and business activity globally and lead to:
- credit and capital market disruptions;- significant volatility in commodity prices (such as grains, fertilizer inputs and oil and gas);- increased expenses related to direct and indirect materials used in our production process (i.e., packaging, logistics and inputs, among others);- increased costs of resources (such as energy, natural gas and coal) for our operations;- slowdown or disruption of the global and local supply chain, which may lead to shortages and lack of critical materials, commodities and products in the market;- potential fluctuation of the U.S. dollar;- increase in interest rates and inflation in the markets in which we operate, which may contribute to further increases in the prices of energy, oil and other commodities; and - lower or negative global growth.
Any such event may increase our costs and adversely affect our business if we are not able to pass such increased costs onto our customers.
Additionally, Russia's prior annexation of Crimea, recent recognition of two separatist republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and subsequent military interventions in Ukraine have led to sanctions and other penalties being levied by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russia, Belarus, the Crimea Region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People's Republic, including the agreement to remove certain Russian financial institutions from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or SWIFT, payment system. Additional potential sanctions and penalties have also been proposed and/or threatened. Russian military actions, the resulting sanctions and Russian counter measures or retaliatory actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to further instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets.
The impact of these measures, as well as potential responses to them by Russia, is currently unknown and, while we currently have no exposure to Russia and Ukraine, and the Middle East, current and future measures could significantly and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including, for example, increase in costs of exporting to Europe for our halal products, potential sanctions in the marketing of our products to Russia and threats to the safety of our employees in locations close to the conflict. Geopolitical and economic risks have also increased over the past few years as a result of trade tensions between the United States and China, Brexit, and the rise of populism. Growing tensions may lead, among others, to a deglobalization of the world economy, an increase in protectionism or barriers to immigration, a general reduction of international trade in goods and services and a reduction in the integration of financial markets, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are continuing to monitor the situation in Russia, Ukraine, Middle East and globally and assess its potential impact on our business. Any of the abovementioned factors could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described elsewhere in this annual report.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 3
Economic conditions adversely affecting consumer discretionary spending may negatively impact our business and operating results.
We believe that our halal products revenues and profitability are strongly correlated to consumer spending habits, which is influenced by general economic conditions, unemployment levels, and the availability of discretionary income. In an economic downturn or in the event of the continued spread of pandemic virus, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 4
The recent global economic and financial market crisis due to COVID-19 has had and may continue to have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Global economic conditions as a result of COVID-19 have had a negative effect on our business and results of operations as the economic activity throughout much of the world has also undergone an economic downturn. As a result, the global credit and liquidity have tightened in much of the world, some of our potential customers in Korea, Europe, United Kingdom and Malaysia may face continuous and prolonged business downturn and credit issues, and could experience cash flow problems and other financial hardships, which could affect timeliness of doing business with us.
Changes in governmental banking, monetary and fiscal policies to restore liquidity and increase credit availability may not be effective in alleviating the global economic declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is difficult to determine the breadth and duration of the economic and financial market problems and the many ways in which they may affect our customers and our business in general. Nonetheless, continuation or further worsening of these difficult financial and macroeconomic conditions could have a significant effect on our business and results of operations.
Natural and Human Disruptions3 | 3.5%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Disaster events may disrupt our business.
Unforeseen events, or the prospect of such events, including public health issues including health epidemics or pandemics, war and terrorism and other international conflicts, and natural disasters such as fire, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados or other adverse weather and climate conditions, whether occurring in Asia or elsewhere, could disrupt our operations, disrupt the operations of suppliers or business customers or result in political or economic instability. These types of events outside of our control could adversely affect our operating results. We cannot assure that any backup systems will be adequate to protect it from the effects of fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events. Any of the foregoing events may give rise to interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to manufacture products and provide services. These events could reduce demand for our products and services, make it difficult or impossible to receive equipment from suppliers or impair our ability to deliver products and services to business customers on a timely basis. Any such disruption could damage our reputation and cause business customer attrition. We could be subject to claims or litigation with respect to losses caused by such disruptions. Our insurance may not cover a particular event at all or be sufficient to fully cover our losses.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
The recurrence of the coronavirus disease ("COVID-19"), or similar adverse public health developments in the countries we operate in now and in the future, may materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
From 2020 to 2022, COVID-19 adversely impacted countries, communities, supply chains and markets globally. In 2023, COVID-19 has generally subsided, and markets and industries have generally returned to pre-pandemic days. There is the risk of the recurrence of new variants of COVID-19 which may result in the return in travel restrictions, border control, and shutdown of businesses. We may experience impact from quarantines and market downturns related to pandemic fears and impact on our workforce if the virus spreads again. COVID-19 and other pandemic viruses affect our workforce and supplier's workforce, and as a result we could experience interruption to our business and operations and may experience delays or the inability to deliver goods on a timely basis. In addition, one or more of our customers, partners, service providers or suppliers may experience financial distress, delayed or defaults on payment, file for bankruptcy protection, sharp diminishing of business, or suffer disruptions in their business due to the outbreak. The extent to which these viruses impacts our results are highly uncertain and will include emerging information concerning the severity of these viruses in the future and the actions taken by governments at various levels and private businesses to attempt to contain the virus. Wider-spread of these viruses in the countries we operate and globally could prolong the deterioration in economic conditions and could cause decreases in demand and reduce and/or negatively impact our ability to grow our revenues. Any decreased collectability of accounts receivable, bankruptcy of small and medium businesses, or early termination of agreements due to deterioration in economic conditions could negatively impact our results of operations. Although the Company is taking measures to mitigate the effect as much as possible, there is no assurance that the steps will be sufficient.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
We face risks related to natural disasters, health epidemics and other outbreaks, which could significantly disrupt our operations.
We are vulnerable to natural disasters and other calamities. Fire, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, power loss, telecommunications failures, break-ins, war, riots, terrorist attacks or similar events may give rise to server interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures or internet failures, which could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware as well as adversely affect our ability to produce video content or provide products and services on our e-commerce platform.
Our business operations could be disrupted if any of our employees are suspected of having COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, H1N1 flu, H7N9 flu, avian flu, SARS or other epidemic, since we could require our employees to be quarantined and/or our offices to be disinfected. In addition, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected to the extent that any of these epidemics harms the global economy in general.
Capital Markets2 | 2.4%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Exchange rate fluctuations will continue to affect our reported results of operations.
The functional currency of each of our Group's entities is measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which that entity operates. For our operations in Malaysia, the functional currency used is the United States dollars as substantially all our revenues are realized, and a significant portion of our operating costs are and will be incurred in U.S. dollars and Euros. Movement in currency exchange rates will also affect cash denominated in Ringgit, Euros and Australian dollars and therefore will affect our reported results of operations.
Changes in currency exchange rates that increase the relative value of the U.S. dollar may make it more difficult for us to compete with foreign manufacturers on price, may reduce our foreign currency denominated sales when expressed in dollars, or may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our sales and operating results. A significant increase in our foreign currency denominated sales would increase our risk associated with foreign currency fluctuations. A weakness in the U.S. dollar relative to the various Asian currencies, especially the Malaysia Ringgit, could increase our product costs. Fluctuations in the currency exchange rates have, and may continue to, adversely affect our operating results.
Capital Markets - Risk 2
Currency fluctuations may expose us to increased costs and revenue decreases.
Our business may in the future be affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Currency fluctuations could, therefore, cause our costs to increase and revenues to decline. The majority of our expenses will continue to be denominated in United States dollars and Malaysia Ringgit. In the past year, the United States dollars, our reporting currency, has, as a general trend, appreciated against the Malaysia Ringgit. We cannot anticipate whether this trend will continue in respect of the Ringgit. In circumstances where the United States dollar appreciates against Malaysia Ringgit, this may have a positive effect on our costs incurred in Malaysia Ringgit but may have a negative effect on any revenues which we source from Malaysia Ringgit. In 2023, we have been affected positively on foreign exchange gains as a result of currency fluctuations.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 7/85 (8%)Below Sector Average
Regulation4 | 4.7%
Regulation - Risk 1
Changes in government legislation and policy may adversely affect us.
While we do not anticipate in the near future any specific material changes in government legislation that may adversely affect us, any material changes in interest rates, exchange rates, relevant taxation and other legal regimes and government policies may adversely affect our operations, the use of our financial resources and the market price of our Ordinary Shares.
Regulation - Risk 2
Our switchable glass products must comply with local building codes and ordinances, and failure of our products to comply with such codes and ordinances may have an adverse effect on our business.
Our switchable glass product must comply with local building codes and ordinances. Building codes may also affect the products our customers are allowed to use, and, consequently, changes in building codes may also affect the sale of our products. If our products fail to comply with such local building codes or ordinances, our ability to market and sell such products would be impaired. Also, should these codes and ordinances be amended or expanded, or should new laws and regulations be enacted, we could incur additional costs or become subject to requirements or restrictions that require us to modify our products or adversely affect its ability to market and sell our products. If our products do not adequately or quickly adapt to building standards, we may lose market share to competitors, which would adversely affect our business, results of operation, financial condition, and cash flows. Furthermore, failure of our products to comply with such codes or ordinances could subject us to negative publicity or damage our reputation.
Regulation - Risk 3
A particular digital asset's status as a "security" in any relevant jurisdiction is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and depending upon the activities undertaken by our customers utilizing our products and services, we and our customers may be subject to regulatory scrutiny, investigations, fines, and other penalties, which may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The SEC and its staff have taken the position that certain digital assets fall within the definition of a "security" under the U.S. federal securities laws. The legal test for determining whether any given digital asset is a security is a highly complex, fact-driven analysis that evolves over time, and the outcome is difficult to predict. The SEC generally does not provide advance guidance or confirmation on the status of any particular asset as a security. Furthermore, the SEC's views in this area have evolved over time and it is difficult to predict the direction or timing of any continuing evolution. With respect to various digital assets, there is currently no certainty under the applicable legal test that such assets are not securities, notwithstanding the conclusions we may draw based on our risk-based assessment regarding the likelihood that a particular asset could be deemed a "security" under applicable laws.
The classification of a digital asset as a security under applicable law has wide-ranging implications for the regulatory obligations that flow from the offer, sale and trading of such assets. For example, a digital asset that is a security in the United States may generally only be offered or sold in the United States pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC or in an offering that qualifies for an exemption from registration. Persons that effect transactions in assets that are securities in the United States may be subject to registration with the SEC as a "broker" or "dealer." Platforms that bring together purchasers and sellers to trade digital assets that are securities in the United States are generally subject to registration as national securities exchanges, or must qualify for an exemption, such as by being operated by a registered broker-dealer as an alternative trading system, or ATS, in compliance with rules for ATSs. Persons facilitating clearing and settlement of securities may be subject to registration with the SEC as a clearing agency. Foreign jurisdictions may have similar licensing, registration, and qualification requirements.
If the SEC, foreign regulatory authority, or a court were to determine that a supported digital asset offered, sold, or traded by one of our customers on a platform provided by us is a security, our customer would not be able to offer such asset for trading until it was able to do so in a compliant manner, which would require significant expenditures by the customer. In addition, we or our customer could be subject to judicial or administrative sanctions for failing to offer or sell the digital asset in compliance with the registration requirements, or for acting as a broker, dealer, or national securities exchange without appropriate registration. Such an action could result in injunctions, cease and desist orders, as well as civil monetary penalties, fines, disgorgement, criminal liability, and reputational harm which could negatively impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Regulation - Risk 4
Our Constitution and other Australian laws and regulations applicable to us may adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be deemed beneficial to our shareholders.
As an Australian company we are subject to different corporate requirements than a corporation organized under the laws of the United States. Our constituent document, or Constitution, as well as the Australian Corporations Act 2001 set forth various rights and obligations that are unique to us as an Australian company. These requirements may limit or otherwise adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be beneficial to our shareholders.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities2 | 2.4%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We may be exposed to product liability claims which could harm our business.
The marketing and sale of consumer and electronic products entails an inherent risk of product liability. We face product liability exposure related to our products. Regardless of merit or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
- decreased demand for our products;- injury to our reputation;- costs of related litigation;- substantial monetary awards to customers and others;- loss of revenues; and - the inability to commercialize our other products.
If there is a claim made against us or some other problems that is attributable to our products, our share price may be negatively affected. Even if we were ultimately successful in product liability litigation, the litigation would consume substantial amounts of our financial and managerial resources and may create adverse publicity, all of which would impair our ability to generate sales of our product candidates. We may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit development or commercialization of our product candidates if we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims. Such coverage may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. We have no insurance coverage and even if we have adequate insurance coverage, product liability claims or recalls could result in negative publicity and force us to devote significant managerial and financial resources to those matters, and the commercialization of our other products may be delayed or severely compromised.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.
Although our switchable glass and nano-coated plate filter products are designed and produced to be safe, product liability claims, even those without merit, could harm our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. We face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our products do not perform or are claimed to not have performed as expected. A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay a substantial monetary award. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our products and business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and operating results.
Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 1.2%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
We may be deemed a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) which would subject our U.S. investors to adverse tax rules.
Holders of our Ordinary Shares who are U.S. residents face income tax risks. There is a substantial risk that if we are deemed a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in a reduction in the after-tax return to a "U.S. Holder" of our Ordinary Shares. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of all of our assets for the taxable year produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, cash is considered to be an asset that produces passive income.
The determination of whether we are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and depends on the composition of our income and the value of our assets. Therefore, it is possible that we could be deemed a PFIC in the current year as well as in future years. If we are classified as a PFIC in any year that a U.S. Holder owns Ordinary Shares, the U.S. Holder will generally continue to be treated as holding Ordinary Shares of a PFIC in all subsequent years, notwithstanding that we are not classified as a PFIC in a subsequent year. Dividends received by the U.S. Holder and gains realized from the sale of our Ordinary Shares would be taxed as ordinary income and subject to an interest charge. We urge U.S. investors to consult their own tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules and certain elections that may help to minimize adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences in their particular circumstances.
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.