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.
Mobile Global Esports, Inc. disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Mobile Global Esports, Inc. reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Risk Overview Q2, 2024
Risk Distribution
40% Finance & Corporate
17% Tech & Innovation
17% Macro & Political
11% Legal & Regulatory
9% Production
6% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Mobile Global Esports, Inc. 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 Q2, 2024
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 14 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 14 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
35
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
35
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Jun 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
1Risks changed
Since Jun 2024
Number of Risk Changed
1
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
1
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Mobile Global Esports, Inc. 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 35
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 14/35 (40%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights6 | 17.1%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company and may affect the trading price of our Common Stock and warrants.
We are a Delaware corporation and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control by prohibiting us from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the person becomes an interested stockholder, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that some stockholders may consider favorable.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Risk Our Shares may be removed from trading on the NASDAQ Market.
On December 22, 2022, the NASDAQ Staff notified the Company that its common stock failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 over the previous 30 consecutive business days as required by the Listing Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. But on January 20, 2023, NASDAQ Staff determined that for the previous 10 consecutive business days, from January 5, 2023 to January 19, 2023, the closing bid price of the Company's common stock had been at $1.00 per share or greater. Accordingly, the Company had re-satisfied the NASDQ minimum bid price of $1.00 per share under Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A). This rule provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 31 consecutive business days.
However, we received a further letter from NASDAQ on April 10, 2023, again notifying us that we failed to meet the Listing Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and our common shares were at risk of being removed from the NASDAQ. On October 12, 2023, the Company received notification from the NASDAQ confirming the Company has been granted an additional 180 calendar day period, or until April 8, 2024, to regain compliance under its minimum $1.00 bid price per share requirement. If delisted, the Company would be forced to list its shares on the Over The Counter ("OTC") market and seek later to re-list on the NASDAQ Exchange. The OTC market has significantly less liquidity than the NASDAQ Market. There is no assurance that if delisted at some point in the future from the NASDAQ, the Company would later be able to re-list on the NASDAQ.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
The market price of such securities has been and is likely to remain highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations, and you may be unable to sell your securities at or above the price at which you acquired them.
The stock market in general and the markets for smaller companies in particular have experienced extreme volatility that may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. The market price for our securities may be influenced by many factors that are beyond our control.
The trading price of our shares may also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry, even if these events do not directly affect us. These factors, among others, could harm the value of your investment in our securities. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management's attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows for our board of directors to create new series of Preferred Stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could have an anti-takeover effect and could adversely affect holders of our Common Stock.
Our authorized capital includes Preferred Stock issuable in one or more series. We currently have no Preferred Stock outstanding. However, our board has the authority to issue Preferred Stock and determine the price, designation, rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including voting and dividend rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by stockholders. The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of additional Preferred Stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible financings and acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting securities, which could deprive our holders of Common Stock of a premium that they might otherwise realize in connection with a proposed acquisition of our company.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
Shareholders will likely experience dilution of their ownership interest due to the future issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock.
We are in a capital-intensive business and we do not have sufficient funds to finance the growth of our business without issuing additional securities beyond the shares to be sold in this offering, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of holders of our Common Stock. We are currently authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. Additionally, the Board may subsequently approve increases in authorized Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The potential issuance of such additional shares of common or Preferred Stock or convertible debt may create downward pressure on the trading price of our Common Stock in public markets. We may also issue additional shares of Common Stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock in future public offerings or private placements for capital-raising purposes or for other business purposes. The future issuance of a substantial number of common shares into the public market, or the perception that such issuance could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common shares. A decline in the price of our common shares could make it more difficult to raise funds through future offerings of our common shares or securities convertible into common shares.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
Our officers, directors and 5% stockholders may exert significant influence over our affairs, including the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval.
As of December 31, 2023, our officers, directors and more than 5% shareholders own in the aggregate approximately 32.3% of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, when acting together, although such individuals will not have a controlling interest in our Company, they still will have a significant impact on the election of our directors and in determining the outcome of any corporate action, including corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, such as: (i) a merger or a sale of our company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and (iii) amendments to our articles of incorporation and bylaws. This concentration of voting power and influence could have a significant effect in delaying, deferring or preventing an action that might otherwise be beneficial to our other stockholders and be disadvantageous to our stockholders with interests different from those individuals. Certain of these individuals also have significant control over our business, policies and affairs as officers or directors of our company. Therefore, you should not invest in reliance on your ability to have any control over our company.
Accounting & Financial Operations2 | 5.7%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock. As a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Common Stock appreciates.
We currently do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, in the future we may enter into agreements that prohibit or restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. As a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment will be if we are able to establish a public market for our stock, the market price of our Common Stock appreciates and you sell your shares.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Our revenues and profitability depend upon many factors for which no assurance can be given.
Our ability to achieve expanded revenues will depend, in large part, upon our ability to attract mobile esports users and viewers to our offerings, retain users and viewers, and reactivate users and viewers in a cost-effective manner. Achieving growth may require us to increasingly engage in sophisticated and costly sales and marketing efforts, which may not make sense in terms of return on investment. In addition, our ability to increase the number of users and viewers of our offerings will depend on continued user adoption of mobile esports. Growth in the mobile esports industry and the level of demand for and market acceptance of our mobile esports products and services will be subject to a high degree of uncertainty. We cannot assure the consumer adoption of our mobile esports product and service offerings.
Further, revenues do not assure profitability. Profitability depends upon many factors, including the ability to develop, commercialize, market, sell and maintain valuable mobile esports products and services at reasonable profit margins, our ability to identify and obtain the rights to additional mobile esports products and services to add to our existing lines, success and expansion of our sales programs, expansion of our player and fan bases, and obtaining the right balance of expense levels and the overall success of our business activities.
Once, and if, we achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. Our failure to generate sufficient revenues, or to become and remain profitable, would depress the value of our company and could impair our ability to raise capital, expand our business, diversify our product offerings or even continue our operations. It could result in a decline in the value of our stock and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Debt & Financing1 | 2.9%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Changed
We will require additional financing in order to implement and execute our business plan, and we cannot be certain that such additional financing will be available on reasonable terms when required, or at all.
As of June 30, 2024, we had a cash balance of approximately $2,033,000. We believe we may need to raise additional funding to meet our cash, operational and liquidity requirements to continue operating for at least 12 months after the date of this quarterly report.
We currently do not have any contracts or commitments for additional financing. Any future equity financing may involve substantial dilution to existing shareholders. There can be no assurance that such additional capital will be available on a timely basis, or on terms acceptable to the Company. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms when needed, the Company may not be able to fund its business or its expansion, take advantage of strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities or respond to competitive pressures. Such inability to obtain additional financing when needed could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and prospects.
If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, we will reduce the percentage ownership of our then-existing stockholders, and the holders of those newly-issued equity or convertible debt securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those possessed by our then-existing stockholders and/or note holders. Additionally, future sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock or other equity-related securities could depress the market price of our Common Stock in the public market, and could impair our current or future ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-linked securities or the sale of debt. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Common Stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Common Stock.
Corporate Activity and Growth5 | 14.3%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our current management team has limited prior experience managing university esports businesses.
Our current executive management team has limited experience managing esports business, but does not have experience in managing university esports teams or leagues. In fact, practically no one has such experience because this segment of the industry is so new. This lack of experience could adversely affect our ability to run our business properly or to raise additional capital that may be necessary for our continued operations. We will endeavor to recruit seasoned executives, as and if capital is available to fund their hiring.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We expect to incur significant additional costs as a result of being a public company, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We expect to incur costs associated with corporate governance requirements that are applicable to us as a public company, including rules and regulations of the SEC, under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and the Exchange Act, as well as the rules of the NASDAQ. These rules and regulations are expected to significantly increase our accounting, legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming. We also expect these rules and regulations to make it more expensive for us to obtain and maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. Accordingly, increases in costs incurred as a result of becoming a publicly traded company may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
Because we are newly organized, we are a development-stage company without significant revenues and have a limited operating history.
Mobile Global Esports ("MOGO" or "Mogo," or the "Company") was organized in March of 2021 to carry on and expand an esports business (the "Business") started by Sports Industry of India ("SII"), in 2016. Through a series of contracts, the rights to the Business were assigned to MOGO by SII and its affiliates beginning in August of 2021. We are in the process of expanding this Business, but to date we do not have significant revenues. Despite some six years of operations, the Business has many of the risks of a new business because the entire industry of esports is so new and still in many ways undefined. You should consider the Company's prospects in light of the costs, uncertainties, delays, and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in this early stage of development. In particular, you should consider that we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to:
- Successfully implement our business plan and expand our esports business to develop significant streams of revenue;- Maintain our management team;- Maintain licensed rights associated with SII's universities to which we have gained access pursuant to a license of rights agreement with SII;- Raise sufficient funds in the capital markets in the future to implement our business plan;- Attract, enter into and/or maintain contracts with players and sponsors; and - Compete effectively in the competitive environment in which we will operate.
If we cannot successfully accomplish these objectives, our business and your investment are likely to be negatively impacted.
The future success we might enjoy will depend upon many factors, several of which may be beyond our control, or which cannot be predicted at this time, and which could have a material adverse effect upon our financial condition, business prospects and operations and the value of an investment in our company. We will incur initial operating losses as we expand our business, and it may be some time before we achieve positive cash flow and/or profitability, and we may never reach such goals. There is of course no assurance that significant revenues will be generated, or that gross revenues will be sufficient to cover our out-of-pocket expenses, or that we will realize profits.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
We will need to expand our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing this growth, which could disrupt our operations.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 16 full-time employees. The employees in India work a majority of their time to organize events for our operations in India. Of the 16-member team, 2 are located in the US and14 are located in India. As our company grows, we plan to expand our employee base. In addition, we intend to grow by expanding our business, increasing market penetration and developing new products and services. Future growth will impose significant additional responsibilities on our management, including the need to develop and improve our existing administrative and operational systems and our financial and management controls and to identify, recruit, maintain, motivate, train, manage and integrate additional employees, consultants and contractors. Also, our management may need to divert a disproportionate amount of its attention away from our day-to-day activities to managing these growth activities. We may not be able to effectively manage the expansion of our operations, which may result in weaknesses in our organization, give rise to operational mistakes, loss of business opportunities, loss of employees and/or reduced productivity. If our management is unable to effectively manage our growth, our expenses may increase more than expected, our ability to generate and grow revenue could be reduced, and we may not be able to implement our business strategy. Our future financial performance and our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively manage the expansion of employees and manage future growth.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
Our business plan contemplates the expansion and development of an existing business in the new area of mobile esports competition, or "esports gaming," and we may not be successful in realizing a profitable business.
Mobile sports competitions, utilizing mobile cell phones, laptops, and tablets to gather audiences and upon which players compete, is a relatively new industry. Our Management believes there is a great opportunity to create a large and profitable sports franchise out of this industry, generating substantial revenues from ticket sales, live streaming video, sponsors, advertisements, sales of merchandise associated with university and professional teams, and other revenue sources. But there is no assurance there will be market acceptance or great public interest in this new sport, or that we can generate significant revenues and profits from esports competitions, tournaments and associated streams of revenues.
Our initial focus will be on expanding a business to deliver mobile esports tournaments, games and activities in association with 92 Indian universities. Although interest in mobile esports programming is growing in South Asia, university mobile esports are new to Indian sub-continent audiences and broadcasts/streaming of our university league's esports games and tournaments may not resonate with these audiences. As a result, we may not generate sufficient viewership to attract advertisers and increase the value of the media rights we intend to expand and promote. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the challenges, risks and difficulties we may encounter in this new and rapidly evolving mobile esports content market.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 6/35 (17%)Above Sector Average
Trade Secrets3 | 8.6%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property and curb the sale of counterfeit merchandise could injure our trademarks.
We are susceptible to brand infringement such as counterfeiting and other unauthorized uses of our intellectual property rights. However, it is not possible to detect all instances of brand infringement in a timely manner. Additionally, where instances of brand infringement are detected, we cannot guarantee that such instances will be prevented as there may be legal or factual circumstances which give rise to uncertainty as to the validity, scope and enforceability of our intellectual property rights in the brand assets.
We also may license our intellectual property rights to third parties. In an effort to protect our brands, we will try in such event to enter into licensing agreements with such third parties which govern the use of our intellectual property and which require our licensees to abide by quality control standards with respect to such use. Although we will make efforts to monitor our licensees' use of our intellectual property, we cannot assure you that these efforts will be sufficient to ensure their compliance. The failure of our licensees to comply with the terms of their licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Trade Secrets - Risk 2
The rights assigned to MOGO by SII under the license of rights and/or correspondence relationships by SII to MOGO associated with the 92 universities are limited; SII may support MOGO competitors or become a competitor of MOGO in the future.
The limited License granted by SII to MOGO excludes material areas of esports commercial exploitation that are retained by SII. SII retains all esports rights associated with games between Indian teams and Pakistani teams. But MOGO is free to develop its own esports content revolving around such competition, provided that such development does not conflict with the rights of SII or obligations of MOGO, including without limitation the obligation of MOGO not to interfere with SII's relationship with Participating Universities, making any claim against any Participating University without SII's prior written approval, or interfering with Licensor's relationships with its vendors, customers, clients, partners, employees, licensees, licensor, consultant or supplier to Licensor. For "Excluded Games," which are defined as games or tournaments between Indian and Pakistani teams that would be transmitted or streamed by brand-name networks, such as Sony Ten, NEO Sports, ESPN, DSport, DDSports, Star Sports, Fox Sports, Netflix, youtube.com, twitch.com or other similar linear or streaming networks, both MOGO and SII are free to separately negotiate and stream esports games and programing, including content licensed to MOGO by SII under collective agreements between the parties. SII retains all rights to license, manufacture and distribute merchandise that bears university team Logos and Name and Likeness with MOGO's name and logos; however, MOGO is entitled to receive a merchandise royalty of one-third of profits from sales of such merchandise. Sponsorship Rights with respect to such merchandise are retained solely by SII. There are various other limitations on the rights assigned to MOGO under the License of Rights Agreements.
The License is limited to rights SII has or ‘obtains' from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or from so-called "Participating Persons," defined as participating universities, esports athletes, esports competing students, faculty members, other employees, and alumni or fans of a participating university in that capacity, rather than in their capacities as members of the general public. Although SII is obligated to use best efforts to acquire such rights, it has no liability to the extent that AIU or Participating Persons terminate or limit such person's grant of rights to SII.
The License is for a limited term and expires during July 2029.
Nothing in the Assignment of License agreement prohibits SII from using, licensing or granting online rights, gaming rights or similar rights pertaining to Esports Games, transmitted or streamed, by brand-name networks, or virtual play on a live or delayed basis, of sports events organized by SII or for its universities, or with avatars representing the athletes who play in such events. SII may elect to grant such rights to competitors of MOGO. SII may itself elect to commercially exploit such rights and thereby become a competitor of MOGO. SII has specifically retained for itself, all esports rights associated with its universities and India-Pakistan competition and has set up a separate company to commercially exploit this opportunity in which we have no interest. As a result, the long-term relationship with SII is uncertain and SII or its current or future affiliates, may become significant competitors of MOGO and limit or reduce MOGO's opportunities to expand its esports business, thereby reducing our revenues, the value of our business and the value of your investment.
Trade Secrets - Risk 3
Risks to our commercialization of licensed rights involving 92 Indian universities.
SII has granted to MOGO a license to commercially exploit certain rights held by SII through SII's subsidiary, EUSAI, associated with the development, organization, promotion, marketing and distribution of esports leagues, games, tournaments, products and programing in India in participation with 92 EUSAI-member universities with whom SII or EUSAI has contractual or correspondence relationships. We are relying on the commercialization of these rights to jumpstart the expansion of our esports business.
However, one or more or all of such universities, for whatever reason, could decide to withdraw from their arrangement with EUSAI and/or SII, either dropping the pursuit of esports altogether, or nominating new third parties to assist in their development of esports leagues and teams, or placing restrictions on use of Brand Elements. If a number of universities withdrew, it could have a significant negative impact on our Company and successful implementation of our business plan.
The agreements with SII provide that SII is obligated to compensate participating universities and their players, including payment of any royalties or participations, for MOGO's use of logos, trademarks and names and likenesses associated with the universities and their players, and SII is also obligated to pay for lodging, food and transportation of Participating University players. Further, SII has agreed to invest capital in the manufacture, marketing, distribution and sale of merchandise associated with esports programs. SII agreed to provide consulting services to MOGO with regard to development of its esports business, through December 31, 2022 but this agreement has not been extended. SII is not a public company, does not have substantial capital reserves, and conceivably could default in performance of one or more of these obligations. Any SII default would likely have a material negative effect on our Company and our successful implementation of our business plan.
Cyber Security2 | 5.7%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Systems, network or telecommunications failures or cyber-attacks may disrupt the Company's business and have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.
Any disruption in the Company's network or telecommunications services could affect the Company's ability to operate its mobile online esports offerings, which would result in reduced revenues and customer down time. The Company's network and databases of players, fans, and sponsors information, including intellectual property, trade secrets, and other proprietary business information and those of the third parties the Company utilizes, will be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, break-ins, cyber-attacks, hackers, network penetration, data privacy or security breaches, denial of service attacks and similar events, including inadvertent dissemination of information due to increased use of social media. Despite implementation of network security measures and data protection safeguards, including a disaster recovery strategy for back-office systems, the Company's servers and computer resources will be vulnerable to viruses, malicious software, hacking, break-ins or theft, third-party security breaches, employee error or malfeasance, and other potential compromises. Disruptions from unauthorized access to or tampering with the Company's computer systems, or those of the third parties the Company utilizes, in any such event could result in a wide range of negative outcomes, including devaluation of the Company's intellectual property goodwill and/or brand appeal, increased expenditures on data security, and costly litigation, and can have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, revenues, reputation, operating results and financial condition.
Cyber Security - Risk 2
Our business will be subject to online security risk, and loss or misuse of our stored information, including the exposure of customers' personal information, could lead to government enforcement action or other litigation, potential liability, or otherwise harm our business.
We will receive, process, store and use personal information and other customer data as a part of our business. There are numerous federal, state and local laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, processing, disclosure and protection of personal information and other data. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies, our privacy-related obligations to customers or other third parties, or our privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other player data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others and could cause our customers to lose trust in us which could have an adverse impact on our business. In the area of information security and data protection, many jurisdictions have passed laws requiring notification to customers when there is a security breach for personal data or requiring the adoption of minimum information security standards that are often vaguely defined and difficult to implement. The costs of compliance with these types of laws may increase in the future as a result of changes in interpretation or changes in law. Any failure on our part to comply with these types of laws may subject us to significant liabilities.
Technology1 | 2.9%
Technology - Risk 1
We rely on information technology and other systems and services provided by third parties Any failures, errors, defects or disruptions in these systems or services could diminish our brand and reputation, subject us to liability, disrupt our business and adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects. The third-party platforms upon which these systems and software are made available could contain undetected errors.
The challenges presented in India to deliver and receive content for MOGO are significant for four reasons: (i) the infrastructure for both broadband and mobile bandwidth is not evenly available; (ii) users may access our digital content on an older smart phone with lower processing power and a slower connection; (iii) our content will often be live and may involve teams bunched together in specific geographic areas, which means that they will be accessing content from the same place, at the same time; and (iv) the latency, or the delay between when a player does something and that action is seen by another player or viewer, must be negligible in order to have exciting real time competition.
Our technology infrastructure is critical to the performance of our offerings and to user satisfaction. However, the systems on which we will rely, may not be adequately designed with the necessary reliability and redundancy to avoid performance delays or outages that could be harmful to our business. Further, we may be subject to cyber-attacks and we may find it difficult to protect our systems, data and user information and to prevent outages, data or information loss, fraud, security breaches. We may in the future experience website disruptions, outages and other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors and capacity constraints. Such disruptions from unauthorized access, fraudulent manipulation, tampering with our computer systems and technological infrastructure, or those of third parties, could result in a wide range of negative outcomes, each of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or prospects.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 6/35 (17%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.9%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
An economic downturn and adverse economic conditions may harm our business.
Any economic downturn and adverse conditions in South Asian regional and global markets may negatively affect our operations. Our projected future broadcasting/streaming revenue in part will depend on consumers' availability of personal disposable income and on our corporate marketing and operating budgets. Further, projected future sponsorship and commercial revenues are contingent upon the expenditures of businesses across a wide range of industries, and if these industries cut costs in response to any economic downturn, our revenue may similarly decline. Continued weak economic conditions could cause a reduction in our anticipated corporate sponsorships, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Further, in the current environment of rising inflation and rising interest rates, disposable income is being reduced in our markets, resulting in the likelihood of reduced revenues flowing to our business.
International Operations2 | 5.7%
International Operations - Risk 1
The risks related to international operations could negatively affect the Company's results.
Most all of the Company's operations will be conducted in foreign jurisdictions, and initially primarily in India. It is expected that the Company will derive all of its revenue from transactions denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, and the Company expects that receivables with respect to foreign sales will account for all of its total accounts and receivables outstanding for some time.
As such, the Company's operations may be adversely affected by changes in foreign government policies and legislation or social instability and other factors which are not within the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, recessions in foreign economies, expropriation, nationalization and limitation or restriction on repatriation of funds, assets or earnings, longer receivables collection periods and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, changes in consumer tastes and trends, renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts or licenses, changes in policies, regulatory requirements or the personnel administering them, currency fluctuations and devaluations, exchange controls, economic sanctions and royalty and tax increases, risk of terrorist activities, revolution, border disputes, implementation of tariffs and other trade barriers and protectionist practices, taxation policies, including royalty and tax increases and retroactive tax claims, volatility of financial markets and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, difficulties in the protection of intellectual property particularly in countries with fewer intellectual property protections, the effects that evolving regulations regarding data privacy may have on the Company's online operations, adverse changes in the creditworthiness of parties with whom the Company has significant receivables or forward currency exchange contracts, labor disputes and other risks arising out of foreign governmental sovereignty over the areas in which the Company's operations are conducted.
The Company's operations may also be adversely affected by social, political and economic instability and by laws and policies of such foreign jurisdictions affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment. If the Company's operations are disrupted and/or the economic integrity of its contracts is threatened, its business would be harmed.
The Company's international activities may require protracted negotiations with host governments, national companies and third parties. Foreign government regulations may favor or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. In the event of a dispute arising in connection with the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction where it conducts its business, the Company may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdictions of the courts of United States or enforcing American judgments in such other jurisdictions. The Company may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing its rights with respect to a governmental instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Accordingly, the Company's activities in foreign jurisdictions could be substantially affected by factors beyond the Company's control, any of which could have a material adverse effect on it. The Company believes that management's experience to date in commercializing other products and services may be of assistance in helping to reduce these risks. Some countries in which the Company may operate may be considered politically and economically unstable.
International Operations - Risk 2
The risks of operating as an American company in India are an issue for every foreign investor.
The risks of operating as an American company in India are an issue for every foreign investor. The Company will mitigate some of this risk by maintaining a locally-recruited management and staff, and relying through its relationship with SII, on SII's political and business relationships, such as the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the SII universities, for whom the company plans to develop, promote and commercialize mobile esports, and by the protection afforded by India's comprehensive commercial law structure, particularly in the areas of intellectual property law, trademark law, contract law, tax law and the uniform commercial code, and similar laws in other South Asian jurisdictions.
Natural and Human Disruptions2 | 5.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Business interruptions due to terrorism or civil unrest could adversely affect us.
Our business and our assets are planned to be primarily located in India, a country with examples of terrorism and civil unrest, and as a result, we and our affiliates could be potential targets of terrorism. In addition, any prolonged business interruption at any of the arenas where we host our events could result in a decline in mobile esports revenue. We currently do not have business interruption insurance in place. If and when we do have business interruption insurance coverage it may only cover some, but not all, of these potential events, and even for those events that are covered, it may not be sufficient to compensate us fully for losses or damages that may occur as a result of such events, including, for example, loss of market share and diminution of our trademarks, reputation and player and fan loyalty. Any one or more of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition and/or cash flow.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
The Company's results of operations could be affected by natural events in the locations in which it operates or where its customers or suppliers operate.
Mobile Global Esports, its customers and its suppliers are expected to have operations in locations subject to natural occurrences such as severe weather and other geological events, including monsoons, earthquakes or outbreaks of pestilence that could disrupt operations. Any serious disruption at any of the Company's facilities or the facilities of its customers or suppliers due to a natural disaster could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and increase our costs and expenses.
Capital Markets1 | 2.9%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
The Company is subject to foreign exchange and currency risks that could adversely affect its operations, and the Company's ability to mitigate its foreign exchange risk through hedging transactions may be limited.
The Company expects that it will derive all or most of its revenues in currencies other than the United States dollar for the foreseeable future; however, a significant portion of the Company's operating expenses for its corporate activities are likely to be incurred in United States dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar, the rupee and other currencies may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and operating results. The Company's financial results are affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rate exposures arise from current transactions and anticipated transactions denominated in currencies other than United States dollar and from the translation of foreign-currency-denominated balance sheet accounts into United States dollar-denominated balance sheet accounts. The Company is exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations because portions of its revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, particularly in the Indian rupee to start.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/35 (11%)Below Sector Average
Regulation3 | 8.6%
Regulation - Risk 1
We cannot be certain that our business initiatives and operations will maintain regulatory approval, and without regulatory approval we will not be able to market and grow our business.
We believe esports to be fairly defined as competitive games of skill, timing, knowledge, experience, practice, attention and teamwork, but not games of chance or luck. We believe that "cash-based" tournaments involving games of skill should not be considered gambling because the generally accepted definition of gambling involves three specific things: (i) the award of a prize, (ii) paid-in consideration (meaning entrants pay to compete) and (iii) an outcome determined on the basis of chance.
We believe that in India and other countries our mobile esports games, which permit players and teams to play against each other with prize money distributed to the last remaining competitors as cash prizes, will be considered games of skill. We do not intend to offer any facility for players to wager on the outcome of the games or events.
This is relevant because online gaming has gained significant scrutiny in India. Games of chance in India are considered gambling and are expressly prohibited. Seven Indian states have amended their laws to ban fantasy sports gambling and other real money gambling games. But the High Court in the Indian state of Rajasthan dismissed a plea to ban Dream11 in October 2020 and ruled that the format of an online fantasy game is a game of mere skill and is protected under the State's Constitution. Rajasthan is one of 28 states and 8 union territories in India, and the other states and the national government have not addressed this issue. It remains uncertain as to how other Indian states and the Indian national government will define or regulate our esports games in the future, if at all. And it is uncertain whether other South Asian countries, or countries elsewhere, will adopt laws banning or regulating our esports games despite our position that they do not involve gambling. Prospective investors should assess this risk of government regulations or prohibition in assessing an investment in our shares, as negative government regulation at any level could destroy our markets or severely limit operations, thereby reducing our revenues and the value of our business and the value of your investment.
Regulation - Risk 2
Regulations that may be adopted with respect to the internet and electronic commerce may decrease the growth in the use of the internet and lead to the decrease in the demand for the Company's products and services.
In addition to regulations pertaining to the esports industry in general, the Company may become subject to any number of laws and regulations that may be adopted with respect to the internet and electronic commerce. New laws and regulations that address issues such as user privacy, pricing, online content regulation, taxation, advertising, intellectual property, information security, and the characteristics and quality of online products and services may be enacted. As well, current laws, which predate or are incompatible with the internet and electronic commerce, may be applied and enforced in a manner that restricts the electronic commerce market. The application of such pre-existing laws regulating communications or commerce in the context of the internet and electronic commerce is uncertain. Moreover, it may take years to determine the extent to which existing laws relating to issues such as intellectual property ownership and infringement, libel and personal privacy are applicable to the internet. The adoption of new laws or regulations relating to the internet, or particular applications or interpretations of existing laws, could decrease the growth in the use of the internet, decrease the demand for the Company's mobile esports products and services, increase our cost of doing business or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues, operating results and financial condition.
Regulation - Risk 3
Changing laws, rules and regulations and legal uncertainties, including adverse application of tax laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business and financial performance.
Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing, or the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations applicable to us and our business, including those relating to the internet, e-commerce, consumer protection and privacy. Such unfavorable changes could decrease demand for our services and products, increase costs and/or subject us to additional liabilities. Furthermore, the growth and development of e-commerce may result in more stringent consumer protection laws that may impose additional burdens on online businesses generally.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 2.9%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
Litigation costs and the outcome of litigation could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
From time to time, the Company may be subject to litigation claims through the ordinary course of its business operations regarding, but not limited to, employment matters, security of consumer and employee personal information, contractual relations with suppliers, marketing and infringement of trademarks and other intellectual property rights, and other matters. Litigation to defend the Company against claims by third parties, or to enforce any rights that we may have against third parties, may be necessary, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, causing a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company is not aware of any current material legal proceedings outstanding, threatened or pending as of the date hereof by or against the Company.
Production
Total Risks: 3/35 (9%)Below Sector Average
Employment / Personnel1 | 2.9%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
Failure to attract, retain and motivate key employees may adversely affect the Company's ability to compete and the loss of the services of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
The Company depends on the services of a few key executive officers. The loss of any of these key persons could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The unexpected loss of services of one or more of these individuals could also adversely affect the Company. The Company is not protected by key man or similar life insurance covering members of senior management but is contemplating obtaining key man insurance.
The Company's success is also highly dependent on its continuing ability to identify, hire, train, motivate and retain highly qualified technical, marketing and management personnel. Competition for such personnel can be intense, and the Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to attract or retain highly qualified technical, marketing and management personnel in the future. The Company's inability to attract and retain the necessary technical, marketing and management personnel may adversely affect its ability to carry forward its business plan, and may limit future growth and profitability.
Supply Chain1 | 2.9%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We will rely on other third-party data and live-streaming providers for real-time and accurate data and/or live streams for mobile esports events, and if such third parties do not perform adequately or terminate their relationships with us, our costs may increase and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We will rely on third-party sports data and live streaming providers to obtain accurate information regarding schedules, results, performance and outcomes of mobile esports events and the live streaming of such events. We may experience errors in this data and/or streaming feed. If we cannot adequately resolve the issue with our end users, our end users may have a negative experience with our offerings, our brand or reputation may be negatively affected and our users may be less inclined to continue or resume utilizing our products and services, or recommend our platform to other potential users. As such, a failure or significant interruption in our service would harm our reputation, business and operating results.
Furthermore, once we establish a relationship with a data and/or live streaming partner, if it terminates its relationship with us or refuses to renew its agreement with us on commercially reasonable terms, we would need to find an alternate provider, and may not be able to secure similar terms or replace such providers in an acceptable time frame. Any of these risks could increase our costs and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, any negative publicity related to any of our selected third-party partners, including any publicity related to regulatory concerns, could adversely affect our reputation and brand, and could potentially lead to increased regulatory or litigation exposure.
Costs1 | 2.9%
Costs - Risk 1
Our insurance coverage may not adequately protect us against all possible risks of loss. Further, our business exposes us to potential liabilities that may not be covered by insurance.
The operation of university athletic events, and specifically a mobile esports league and teams, are subject to a number of risks that could expose us to substantial liability for personal injury. We intend to purchase insurance against certain of these risks, but our insurance may not be adequate to cover our liabilities.
We do not have any business liability, disruption or litigation insurance coverage for our operations in the US or in India. Accordingly, a business disruption, litigation or natural disaster may result in substantial costs and divert management's attention from our business, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 2/35 (6%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 2.9%
Competition - Risk 1
The interactive entertainment industry is intensely competitive. Mobile Global Esports faces competition from a growing number of interactive companies and, if the Company is unable to compete effectively, its business could be negatively impacted.
The industry we are addressing is "mobile" esports. Our market is part of a much larger interactive entertainment market. There is intense competition among Interactive Entertainment Companies for the consumer's dollar. There are a number of established, well-financed companies producing esports and interactive entertainment products and systems that will compete with the products and services planned by the Company. Many of these competitors have financial resources much greater than ours. They may spend more money and time on developing and testing product and services, undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies or otherwise develop more commercially successful products and services than the Company. This could impact the Company's ability to win new business and retain business. Furthermore, new competitors may enter the Company's key market areas. If the Company is unable to obtain significant market share or if it loses market share to its competitors, the Company's results of operations and future prospects would be materially adversely affected. The Company's success depends on its ability to develop new products and services, and enhance existing products and services, at prices and on terms that attract and retain customers.
In addition, SII, which has assisted us in our organization and has licensed to us certain commercialization rights associated with 92 universities in India, is not precluded from establishing its own esports business once its consulting services to us are concluded. It is possible it, or its affiliates, could become significant competitors to us in the mobile esports markets in South Asia on which we are focused.
Brand / Reputation1 | 2.9%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
If we are unable to build and enhance our brands and reputation or if events occur that damage our brands and reputation, our ability to expand our players, university teams, sponsors and commercial partners may be impaired.
The success of our business depends on the value and strength of our esports media brands and the audiences who watch on television, cell phones, or stream on the internet. The strength of our esports media brands determines our ability to expand our player and fan bases and attract sponsors and advertisers. To be successful, we believe we must preserve, grow and leverage the value of our brands across all of our revenue streams. Unfavorable publicity regarding our esports properties could negatively affect our brands' reputations. Failure to respond effectively to negative publicity could also erode our brands' reputations. In addition, events in the industry as a whole, even if unrelated to us, may negatively affect our brands' reputations. A failure to build brand awareness or negative events that damage our brands' reputations could interfere in the growth of, or result in a decline in players, television and social media audiences, fan loyalty or corporate sponsors to support our esports media properties. As a result, we might not be able to obtain revenues sufficient to attain profitability, or there might be a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow, causing us to sustain losses. We might not then be able to obtain the resources or time that would be needed to attempt to rebuild our brands and reputation.
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.