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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2021
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Smart Share Global Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Cayman Islands (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
3577 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
Not Applicable (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
6th Floor, 799 Tianshan W Road
Changning District, Shanghai 200335
People's Republic of China
+86 21 6050 3535
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Cogency Global Inc.
122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10168
(800) 221-0102
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to: | ||||||
Z. Julie Gao, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP c/o 42/F, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark 15 Queen's Road Central Hong Kong +852 3740-4700 |
Haiping Li, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 46th Floor, JingAn Kerry Centre, Tower II 1539 Nanjing West Road Shanghai The People's Republic of China +86 21-61938200 |
Will H. Cai, Esq. Michael Yu, Esq. Cooley LLP c/o Suites 3501 - 3505, 35/F Two Exchange Square 8 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong +852 3758-1200 |
Dave Peinsipp, Esq. Cooley LLP 101 California Street, 5th Floor San Francisco, California 94111 (415) 693-2000 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ý
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o
The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of each class of securities |
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price(2)(3) |
Amount of registration fee |
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Class A Ordinary Shares, par value US$0.0001 per share(1) |
US$100,000,000 | US$10,910 | ||
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion. Preliminary Prospectus Dated , 2021.
American Depositary Shares
Smart Share Global Limited
Representing Class A Ordinary Shares
This is an initial public offering of American depositary shares, or ADSs, of Smart Share Global Limited.
We are selling American depositary shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents of our Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between US$ and US$ per ADS. We intend to apply for the listing of the ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "EM."
Following the completion of this offering, our issued and outstanding share capital will consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, our chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer, Mr. Peifeng Xu, our chief operating officer, and Mr. Victor Yaoyu Zhang, our chief marketing officer, will beneficially own all of our issued Class B ordinary shares and will be able to exercise % of the total voting power of our issued and outstanding share capital immediately following the completion of this offering. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share is entitled to one vote, and each Class B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes and is convertible into one Class A ordinary share. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.
We are an "emerging growth company" under applicable U.S. federal securities laws and are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements.
Investing in the ADSs involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 19 to read about factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.
PRICE US$ PER ADS
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per ADS | Total |
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Initial public offering price |
US$ | US$ | |||
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1) |
US$ | US$ | |||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
US$ | US$ |
The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional ADSs from us at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in New York, New York on , 2021.
BOCI
Prospectus dated , 2021.
[Page intentionally left blank for graphics]
Until , 2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions is these ADSs, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you, and neither we, nor the underwriters take responsibility for any other information others may give you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy the ADSs, only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or the time of any sale of the ADSs. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus may have changed since that date.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters has taken any action to permit a public offering of the ADSs outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of the prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus outside the United States.
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The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in the ADSs discussed under "Risk Factors", before deciding whether to invest in the ADSs. This prospectus contains information from an industry report commissioned by us dated March 3, 2021 and prepared by iResearch, an independent research firm, to provide information regarding our industry and our market position in China. We refer to this report as the "iResearch Report."
Our Mission
Energize everyday life.
Overview
We are a consumer tech company providing mobile device charging service through an extensive online and offline network. We are the largest mobile device charging service provider in China in terms of gross revenues in 2020, according to the iResearch Report. We provide service through our power banks, placed in POIs operated by our location partners, such as entertainment venues, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, transportation hubs and public spaces. Through our mini programs, users rent our power banks to carry with them when they use our service and can return the power banks at any of our POIs, enabled by our expansive network and powerful technologies. As of December 31, 2020, we had a network of over 664,000 POIs covering more than 1,500 regions in China. We had approximately 149.1 million and 219.4 million cumulative registered users as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
We leverage advanced proprietary technologies and big-data analytics capabilities to facilitate seamless transactions, optimize hardware management and obtain valuable user insights. As of December 31, 2020, our system actively monitored and processed data from a network of over five million power banks. Our hardware is manufactured under industry-leading quality and safety protocols by top-tier assembly partners, with raw materials and components sourced from renowned suppliers.
The mobile device charging service market size in China is expected to grow from RMB9.0 billion in 2020 to RMB106.3 billion in 2028, according to the iResearch Report. There are ample opportunities for industry participants to continue expanding into existing and unaddressed use cases. Pervasive smartphone usage, dependence on mobile apps and the adoption of 5G telecommunications technology also fuel a booming demand for charging services. The growing supply of and demand for power banks for share drive up usage among existing users and attract new users through growing accessibility, convenience, consumer habits and awareness.
As we grow our business, we focus on optimizing the operational efficiency of our products and personnel. We improve the utilization of power banks through our tried-and-true POI selection and expansion strategies, as well as our relentless drive to improve user experience. We achieve high operational efficiency among our business development personnel through our meticulously designed business development personnel management system and proprietary data-driven management tools.
We operate our business through direct operation and network partners. In larger cities, we directly operate our business and use our resources to better collaborate with key accounts, or KAs, who are location partners with expansive offline footprint and widespread brand recognition. We deploy business development personnel for the expansion, management and maintenance of
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our POIs, incentivized by a well-designed and ever-evolving evaluation system. In smaller cities and counties, we work with network partners with local business connections and insights. We manage and evaluate network partners by the same standards as our direct operation under our operating philosophies.
We have built a distinct and vibrant life-style brand that differentiates us from our competitors. Our brand not only represents reliability, accessibility and quality, but also is associated with youthfulness and trendiness. Leveraging our brand reputation, we have been able to secure exclusive long-term contracts with popular domestic and global franchises, and we have established branding collaborations with industry icons.
Our proven business model has allowed us to rapidly expand while achieving profitability, although having a short operating history in a fast-evolving industry. Our total revenues grew from RMB2,022.3 million in 2019 to RMB2,809.4 million (US$430.6 million) in 2020, representing a growth rate of 38.9%, despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. We generated net income of RMB166.6 million in 2019 and RMB75.4 million (US$11.6 million) in 2020, representing net margins of 8.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Our adjusted net income was RMB206.6 million and RMB112.6 million (US$17.3 million) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. For discussions of adjusted net income and reconciliation of adjusted net income, see "Summary Consolidated Financial DataNon-GAAP Financial Measures." We believe that our leading industry position, deep market expertise albeit our short operating history, relentless drive to innovate, pursuit of operational excellence, and the vision and track record of our senior management team can help us achieve long-term success and sustainable growth.
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The Energy Monster Experience
What we offer
We offer users mobile device charging service through power banks at any of our POIs, which are typically places with heavy foot traffic. Our power banks are stored in cabinets that we install at POIs. The power banks are equipped with cables that are compatible with most mobile devices and can be returned to any of our cabinets nationwide. Users can easily access our power banks through their smart mobile devices and return them at any of our cabinets.
How to use our products
Users start using our products by either spotting our cabinets at one of our POIs, or easily finding our cabinet locations through our mini programs, which can be accessed through WeChat, Alipay and other third-party partners. Users scan the QR codes on the cabinets to release our power banks. Our mobile device charging service is priced primarily based on thirty-minute intervals. A deposit and payment are processed through users' digital wallets, provided by WeChat pay and Alipay. The deposit is waived for users who have qualified credit scores at their digital wallet service providers, as assessed by these providers.
After users finish using the power banks, they can return them at any of our cabinets nationwide. Users can also choose to purchase the power banks through the mini programs. If a power bank is not returned after a certain period of time, we retain the deposit from users or their digital wallet service providers.
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Where to find our products
Our cabinets are widely available, conspicuously placed in diverse offline locations with heavy foot traffic, long operating hours or extended consumer time spend, from shopping malls, movie theatres and restaurants to public transportation hubs and pedestrian walkways. Guided by our profound data insights and accumulated industry expertise, our cabinets are strategically positioned in each location to optimize their visibility and maximize their utilization.
The breadth of our POI coverage reaches offline establishments traditionally underserved by leading online-to-offline internet platforms in China, such as hospitals, subway stations and other places of public utility or transportation.
Who we benefit
Users.
Location partners.
IP partners.
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activities that promote our partners' brands and products. Our extended and targeted user reach provides extensive channels for our IP partners to reach mass audience.
Our Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths contributed to our success and differentiated us from our competitors:
Our Strategies
We intend to achieve our mission and strengthen our leadership position by pursuing the following growth strategies:
Our Industry
The mobile device charging service industry in China emerged in 2014 and began to scale in 2017 out of the increasing gap between smartphone battery consumption, driven by more intensive smartphone usage, and smartphone battery life, hampered by technological hurdles unlikely to be solved in the near future. A survey conducted by iResearch shows that 93% of surveyed smartphone users have experienced the need to charge their mobile devices while they are away from their homes or offices.
According to the iResearch Report, the size of the mobile device charging service market in China was RMB9.0 billion in 2020, and is expected to grow to RMB106.3 billion in 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 36.2% from 2020 to 2028. According to the iResearch Report, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth rate of the mobile device charging service market slowed down in the first half of 2020, but had returned to normal since then.
The number of smartphone users and smartphone penetration rate in China have increased and are expected to keep increasing in the foreseeable future, according to the iResearch Report.
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As of December 31, 2019, the number of smartphone users in China was 882.2 million, and this number is expected to grow to 1.1 billion by the end of 2024, according to the iResearch Report.
While the Chinese smartphone users increase usage time and intensity, smartphone battery technology and charging technology have been unable to deliver breakthroughs that can fully address the power consumption needs of smartphone users so far. According to the iResearch Report, smartphones are expected to be more power consuming in the near future due to the adoption of 5G telecommunications technology. For example, chips for 5G mobile devices are approximately 2.5 times more power consuming than those currently widely used for 4G devices, according to the iResearch Report; however, smartphones are unlikely to carry batteries with significantly higher capacity in the near future because of prevailing smartphone design patterns and technological hurdles that the battery industry has experienced.
According to the iResearch Report, there are two main ways for mobile devices, primarily smartphones, to increase their battery capacities: increasing physical sizes of the batteries, or increasing battery energy density, neither of which is feasible in the near term. Current technologies determines that as mobile device batteries increase in sizes, their stability will decrease significantly which would lead to safety concerns; as the current trend in mobile devices moves toward more compact and lighter designs, consumers are also unlikely to be receptive of larger and heavier batteries. On the other hand, there is currently no economical technology that safely increase battery energy density. As a result, average battery capacity of mainstream mobile phones grew at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2016 to 2020 according to the iResearch Report.
Apart from the lack of breakthrough development of battery capacities, fast charging and wireless charging technologies are also unlikely to make giant leaps in their developments in the near future to fully satisfy the increasing smartphone battery consumption demands in China, according to the iResearch Report. Currently, all mass market wireless charging devices require a charging dock to physically be in contact with the device being charged, making them an undesirable alternation to traditional power bank technologies because charging docks limit users' mobility while charging their mobile devices. According to the iResearch Report, it would take approximately another 8-10 years before mass market wireless charging equipment can charge mobile devices without charging docks.
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment in the ADSs. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings. These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors."
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
Risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
Risks and uncertainties relating to our corporate structure include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
We are also subject to risks and uncertainties relating to doing business in China in general, including, but are not limited to, the following:
Risks Relating to Our ADSs and This Offering
In addition to the risks and uncertainties described above, we are subject to risks relating to our ADSs and this offering, including, but not limited to, the following:
Corporate History and Structure
We set up Shanghai Zhixiang Technology Co., Ltd., or our VIE, in April 2017.
Our holding company, Smart Share Global Limited, was incorporated in May 2017. In May 2017, Smart Share Global Limited established a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Smart Share International Limited. In June 2017, Smart Share International Limited established a wholly owned subsidiary in China, Zhixiang Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or Zhixiang WFOE. In July
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2017, we gained control over our VIE through Zhixiang WFOE by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders. In September 2019, Smart Share International Limited established another wholly owned subsidiary in China, Zhicheng Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or Zhicheng WFOE.
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our significant subsidiaries and our VIE, as of the date of this prospectus:
Note:
Implication of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements compared to those that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
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We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.07 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the preceding three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a "large accelerated filer" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of the ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 6th Floor, 799 Tianshan W Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200335, People's Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +86 21 6050 3535. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited at PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Investors should submit any inquiries to the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices. Our main website is www.enmonster.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.
Conventions that Apply to this Prospectus
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to:
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Unless the context indicates otherwise, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to additional ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares from us. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus are made at a rate of RMB6.5250 to US$1.0000, the exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2020 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.
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Offering price |
We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between US$ and US$ per ADS. | |
ADSs offered by us |
ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). |
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ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering |
ADSs (or ADSs if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs in full). |
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Ordinary shares issued and outstanding immediately after this offering |
Class A ordinary shares (or Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs) and 73,973,970 Class B ordinary shares. |
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The ADSs |
Each ADS represents Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share. |
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The depositary will hold Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. You will have rights as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time. |
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We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. If, however, we declare dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, the depositary will pay you the cash dividends and other distributions it receives on our ordinary shares after deducting its fees and expenses in accordance with the terms set forth in the deposit agreement. |
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You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for cancellation in exchange for Class A ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any cancellation. |
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We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. |
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To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the "Description of American Depositary Shares" section of this prospectus. You should also read the deposit agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. |
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Option to purchase additional ADSs |
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable within 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of additional ADSs. |
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Use of proceeds |
We expect that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$ million from this offering, or approximately US$ million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs in full, assuming an initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated range of the initial public offering price, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. |
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We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for (1) business expansion to better attract new location partners, (2) workforce expansion to acquire and retain professional talents, (3) capital expenditure and investment in power banks and cabinets, and (4) exploration of potential business and mergers and acquisitions opportunities and general corporate purposes, although we have not identified any acquisition target. See "Use of Proceeds" for more information. |
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Lock-up |
We and each of our officers, directors and existing shareholders, and certain holders of our outstanding share incentive awards have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting" for more information. |
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Listing |
We intend to apply to have the ADSs listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "EM." The ADSs and our ordinary shares will not be listed on any other stock exchange or traded on any automated quotation system. |
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Payment and settlement |
The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment therefor through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company on , 2021. |
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Directed Share Program |
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering price, up to an aggregate of ADSs offered in this offering to some of our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons through a directed share program. |
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Depositary |
The Bank of New York Mellon. |
The number of ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering:
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preferred shares on a one-for-one basis into Class A ordinary shares immediately prior to the completion of this offering;
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, and summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Summary Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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For the Year Ended December 31, |
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2019 | 2020 |
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RMB | RMB | US$ |
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(in thousands, except for share amount and per share data) | |||||||||
Summary Consolidated Statement of Operations Data: |
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Revenues |
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Mobile device charging business |
1,924,264 | 2,711,541 | 415,562 | |||||||
Power bank sales |
70,448 | 77,598 | 11,892 | |||||||
Others |
27,598 | 20,220 | 3,099 | |||||||
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Total revenues |
2,022,310 | 2,809,359 | 430,553 | |||||||
Cost of revenues(1) |
(292,494 | ) | (430,773 | ) | (66,019 | ) | ||||
Research and development expenses(1) |
(65,471 | ) | (70,938 | ) | (10,872 | ) | ||||
Sales and marketing expenses(1) |
(1,362,185 | ) | (2,121,006 | ) | (325,058 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses(1) |
(82,448 | ) | (79,600 | ) | (12,199 | ) | ||||
Other operating income |
12,349 | 24,790 | 3,799 | |||||||
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Income from operations |
232,061 | 131,832 | 20,204 | |||||||
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Interest and investment income |
10,184 | 10,271 | 1,574 | |||||||
Interest expense to third parties |
(26,963 | ) | (39,596 | ) | (6,068 | ) | ||||
Interest expense to a related party |
| (1,032 | ) | (158 | ) | |||||
Foreign exchange losses, net |
(1,973 | ) | (485 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||
Other (loss)/income, net |
(8 | ) | 443 | 68 | ||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities |
(865 | ) | (7,442 | ) | (1,141 | ) | ||||
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Income before income tax expenses |
212,436 | 93,991 | 14,405 | |||||||
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Income tax expenses |
(45,830 | ) | (18,564 | ) | (2,845 | ) | ||||
Net income |
166,606 | 75,427 | 11,560 | |||||||
Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
(406,828 | ) | (3,206,324 | ) | (491,391 | ) | ||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders |
(24,229 | ) | | | ||||||
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Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Smart Share Global Limited |
(264,451 | ) | (3,130,897 | ) | (479,831 | ) | ||||
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Net income |
166,606 | 75,427 | 11,560 | |||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income |
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Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax |
(16,203 | ) | 232,957 | 35,702 | ||||||
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Total comprehensive income |
150,403 | 308,384 | 47,262 | |||||||
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Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
(406,828 | ) | (3,206,324 | ) | (491,391 | ) | ||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders |
(24,229 | ) | | | ||||||
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Comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Smart Share Global Limited |
(280,654 | ) | (2,897,940 | ) | (444,129 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Smart Share Global Limited |
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Basic and diluted |
(7.61 | ) | (57.44 | ) | (8.80 | ) |
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Weighted average number of ordinary shares |
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Basic and diluted |
34,728,028 | 54,506,733 | 54,506,733 | |||||||
Non-GAAP measure: |
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Adjusted net income(2) |
206,557 | 112,624 | 17,261 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Note:
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For the Year Ended December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses: |
|||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
35,499 | 24,015 | 3,680 | ||||||||
Research and development expenses |
916 | 1,378 | 211 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
2,501 | 4,144 | 635 | ||||||||
Cost of revenues |
170 | 218 | 34 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
39,086 | 29,755 | 4,560 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents our summary consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2019 and 2020:
|
As of December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
273,608 | 1,252,493 | 191,953 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
106,925 | 51,008 | 7,817 | |||||||
Short-term investments |
320,462 | 170,552 | 26,138 | |||||||
Prepayments and other current assets |
173,597 | 253,020 | 38,777 | |||||||
Total current assets |
898,815 | 1,745,816 | 267,557 | |||||||
Property, equipment and software, net |
981,202 | 963,453 | 147,656 | |||||||
Total non-current assets |
1,126,707 | 1,039,819 | 159,359 | |||||||
Total assets |
2,025,522 | 2,785,635 | 426,916 | |||||||
Short-term borrowings |
191,000 | 24,500 | 3,755 | |||||||
Financing payablecurrent |
40,137 | 46,854 | 7,181 | |||||||
Accounts and notes payable |
307,673 | 406,760 | 62,339 | |||||||
Accounts due to related parties |
193,280 | 77,939 | 11,945 | |||||||
Accruals and other current liabilities |
255,245 | 219,210 | 33,594 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,056,265 | 854,833 | 131,008 | |||||||
Financing payablenon-current |
102,019 | 197,297 | 30,237 | |||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
119,249 | 232,188 | 35,584 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
1,175,514 | 1,087,021 | 166,592 | |||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
1,421,083 | 5,137,874 | 787,413 | |||||||
Total shareholders' deficit |
(571,075 | ) | (3,439,260 | ) | (527,089 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit |
2,025,522 | 2,785,635 | 426,916 |
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The following table presents our summary consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020:
|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Net cash generated from operating activities |
444,040 | 536,118 | 82,163 | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(868,296 | ) | (261,487 | ) | (40,075 | ) | ||||
Net cash generated from financing activities |
579,668 | 654,571 | 100,318 | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash |
(4,368 | ) | (6,234 | ) | (955 | ) | ||||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
151,044 | 922,968 | 141,451 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year |
229,489 | 380,533 | 58,319 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year |
380,533 | 1,303,501 | 199,770 |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating our business, we consider and use non-GAAP adjusted net income in reviewing and assessing our operating performance. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We present this non-GAAP financial measure because it is used by our management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure helps identify underlying trends in our business, provide further information about our results of operations, and enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and have limitations as analytical tools. Our non-GAAP financial measure does not reflect all items of expenses that affect our operations and does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Further, our non-GAAP measure may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. We compensate for these limitations by reconciling our non-GAAP financial measure to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, which should be considered when evaluating performance. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
We define non-GAAP adjusted net income as net income excluding share-based compensation expenses and change in fair value of warrant liabilities in connection with a warrant to purchase Series A-1 Preferred Shares at a fixed price provided to one of our shareholders. The
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table below sets forth a reconciliation of our net income to non-GAAP adjusted net income for the periods indicated.
|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Net income |
166,606 | 75,427 | 11,560 | |||||||
Add |
||||||||||
Share-based compensation |
39,086 | 29,755 | 4,560 | |||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities |
865 | 7,442 | 1,141 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) |
206,557 | 112,624 | 17,261 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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An investment in our ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus, including the risks and uncertainties described below, before making an investment in our ADSs. Any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In any such case, the market price of our ADSs could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain the growth rate that we have maintained to date.
We commenced our commercial operations in 2017 and have a limited operating history, during which we grew rapidly to reach a wide network of users and location partners in China. However, our historical performance may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results. We cannot assure you that we will be able to grow at the same rate as we did in the past, or avoid any decline in the future. Our growth may slow down or our revenues may decline for a number of possible reasons, some of which are beyond our control, including decreasing consumer spending, increasing competition, declining growth or contraction of our overall market or industry, the emergence of alternative business models, changes in rules, regulations, government policies or general economic conditions, and natural disasters or virus outbreaks. We will continue to expand our service network and may explore new operating models to bring greater convenience and better experience to consumers and increase our user base and number of transactions. Implementation of our expansion plan and execution of our new business initiatives are subject to uncertainty, and we may not be able to grow at the rate we expect for the reasons stated above. In addition, there may be particular complexities, regulatory or otherwise, associated with our expansion into new service categories or new markets. If our growth rate declines, investors' perceptions of our business and business prospects may be adversely affected and the market price of the ADSs could decline. You should consider our prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties that companies with a limited operating history may encounter.
Technological advancements that improve battery capacity, battery life, power conservation, energy efficiency or charging speed, or otherwise lessen consumers' need for mobile device charging, may decrease consumer demand for mobile device charging services or put price pressure on such services, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.
Breakthroughs and advancements in consumer battery technologies may decrease consumers' need for mobile device charging services or put price pressure on our products and services. These breakthroughs and advancements may improve battery capacity, battery life, power conservation, energy efficiency or charging speed for the batteries used in consumer electronic devices, all of which tend to extend the time consumers can use their mobile devices without charging or reduce the time consumers need to charge their devices at locations with power sockets or charging ports. Consumers may not need our mobile device charging services at the same frequency or may not be willing to pay for our products and services at the same price with such improvements in consumer battery technologies, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our user base, revenue growth and financial margins in such a case. If we are unable to adapt in a cost-effective and timely manner to these technological improvements, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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We operate in a highly competitive industry, and the scale and resources of some of our current or future competitors may allow them to compete more effectively than we can, which could result in a loss of our market share and an increase in the level of incentive fees paid to our network partners and location partners, and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The mobile device charging service industry, despite being relatively new, is competitive with a number of large-scale participants. We currently compete with a variety of competitors from different industry backgrounds. Intensified competition may result in pricing pressures and reduce our financial margins, may impede our ability to continue to expand our POI coverage and to increase our revenues, and may cause us to lose market share, any of which could significantly harm our results of operations. In addition, higher incentives and better business terms offered by competitors may push us to increase the level of incentive fees to our network partners and location partners, which could harm our future profitability.
Some of our potential competitors have leading positions in other industries, and may enjoy substantial competitive advantages, such as: (i) a longer operating history, (ii) more established relationships with a larger number of suppliers, assembly partners, location partners and network partners, (iii) access to larger and broader user bases due to their established position in a related market, (iv) greater brand recognition, (v) greater financial, R&D, marketing, distribution and other resources, (vi) more resources to make investments and acquisitions, (vii) larger intellectual property portfolios, and (viii) the ability to bundle competitive offerings with other products and services. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. Any failure to compete effectively in the mobile device charging service industry in China would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of costs, risks and uncertainties in executing our growth strategies, such as capturing expansion opportunities in existing and new markets. We may not be successful in executing these growth strategies and our results of operations and business prospects could be materially and adversely affected as a result.
Our business has continued to grow in recent years. We plan to further grow our business by actively capturing expansion opportunities in existing and new markets, expanding our KA network, improving operational excellence, enhancing our technology capabilities, strengthening our brand and pursuing strategic alliances and investment opportunities and exploring new business initiatives. We face risks in executing these strategies, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to execute our growth strategies successfully and realize our expected growth. For example, as we continue to expand our POI coverage in existing and new markets, we will face the challenges inherent in working with a large number of new location partners, network partners and KAs efficiently and establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with our existing and new location partners, network partners and KAs. See "Business Our Strategies." All these efforts will require significant managerial, financial and human resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage our growth or to implement all these strategies successfully or that our new business initiatives will be successful. If we are not able to manage our growth or execute our strategies effectively, our expansion may not be successful and our business prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
We may enter into new markets where we have limited or no experience in marketing, selling, and localizing and deploying our products and services. POI coverage expansion has required and
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will continue to require us to invest significant capital and other resources and our efforts may not be successful. POI coverage expansion in new markets may be subject to risks such as:
The occurrence of any of these risks could negatively affect our business in new markets and consequently our business and operating results.
We have also incurred, and will continue to incur, expenses on a variety of different sales and marketing efforts designed to enhance our brand recognition and increase our revenues. Our marketing and branding activities may not achieve anticipated results. If we fail to enhance our marketing approaches or fail to market our products and services in a cost-effective manner, our expansion efforts will be hindered and our brand recognition may suffer.
Lastly, we plan to explore new business initiatives by expanding to new product categories in China. Zhicheng WFOE has already obtained the wholesale license for such new products from relevant governmental authorities, which remains effective as of the date of this prospectus. Due to the difference between the new products and power banks, we may not benefit much from our established brand and operating experience in pursuing this new business initiative, and our new business initiative may not yield the results or benefits that we expect, rendering our investment into the new business initiative a potential suboptimal use of resource.
Power banks, portable chargers and similar products for mobile device charging are increasingly more affordable to own and convenient to carry around, potentially leading to less demand for and more pricing pressure on mobile device charging services, which may materially and adversely affect our ability to attract new users and retain existing users, and consequently our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.
Our revenues are affected by the pricing levels of our mobile device charging services. As power banks, portable chargers and similar products continue to become increasingly more affordable to own and easier to carry around due to technological advancements and economies of scale, it may make directly buying such mobile device charging products a more economic and convenient choice compared to renting power banks regularly for consumers. Although consumers can also conveniently purchase power banks from us, there is no guarantee that they will prefer our power banks, which may have been used, over new power banks from direct retailers of power banks. In addition, we may need to decrease our pricing levels to maintain and grow our user base if purchasing mobile device charging products becomes even less costly in the future. As a result, the increasing affordability and portability of consumer mobile device charging products may materially and adversely affect our ability to retain and attract users and to raise our pricing levels, and consequently our results of operations, financial condition and business prospects.
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Our business, financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique global and industry-wide challenges, including challenges to many aspects of our business. All of our revenues and workforce are concentrated in China, and our suppliers, assembly partners, location partners and network partners are also predominantly based in China. In the first half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of business venues and facilities in China, with some of these restrictive measures still sporadically in effect today. Consequently, consumer behavior has become more online-focused and outdoor activities have declined, reducing offline user traffic to our POIs and consumer demand for our mobile device charging services. During the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our location partners shut down their operations temporarily or permanently, negatively impacting our POI coverage and financial performance. As a result, our revenues and average revenues per power bank decreased significantly in the first half of 2020, and we incurred net loss during this period. Our ability to expand our POI coverage was also negatively affected during this period. In the first half of 2020, many of our business development personnel could not travel to meet with potential location partners, and many existing and potential location partners were not receptive to renewing or entering into partnership agreements with us. Lastly, our internal operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first half of 2020, our employee headcount decreased significantly, as part of our business development operations was halted. Most of our employees were also unable to work in our offices in the first quarter of 2020, which negatively impacted our workforce productivity and operational efficiency.
The ability of our suppliers and assembly partners to timely deliver products was also adversely affected, and may continue to be adversely affected, by the COVID-19 pandemic for similar reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact the manufacturing and sourcing of products and materials in China, as it may result in potential factory closures, inability to obtain raw materials and components, supply chain disruptions and disruption of transportation of goods produced in China. Even though our business operations have mostly recovered, our operational efficiency may still be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to ad hoc travel restrictions in China as well as the necessity to combat the pandemic.
Many of the quarantine measures within China have since been relaxed as of the date of this prospectus, and we have resumed normal operations since June 2020. While the duration and further development of the pandemic and its disruption to our business and related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, our consolidated results of operations for the second half of 2020 were not materially affected by continued impacts from COVID-19. However, our results of operations may still be adversely affected to the extent that COVID-19 continues to affect the Chinese economy in general. In addition, the longer-term trajectory of COVID-19, both in terms of scope and intensity of the pandemic, in China, together with its impact on the industry and the broader economy are still difficult to assess or predict and face significant uncertainties that will be difficult to quantify. Relaxation of restrictions on economic and social activities may also lead to new cases which may lead to re-imposed restrictions. If there is not a material recovery in the COVID-19 situation, or the situation further deteriorates in China, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
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We may be subject to claims under consumer protection laws, including health and safety claims and product liability claims, if property or people are harmed by our products. A product recall or an issue related to product liability, product defect or personal injury may damage our reputation and brand image. Additionally, new laws and regulations may impose additional requirements and other obligations on our business, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The PRC government, media outlets and public advocacy groups have been increasingly focused on consumer protection in recent years. If we do not take appropriate remedial action against network partners and location partners for actions they engage in that we know, or should have known, would infringe upon the rights and interests of consumers, we may be held jointly liable for infringement alongside them. In addition, the PRC government authorities may continue to promulgate new laws, regulations and rules governing the mobile device charging service industry, tighten enforcement of existing laws, rules and regulations, and impose additional requirements and other obligations on our business and our market promotion activities. Compliance with these laws, regulations and rules may be costly, and any incompliance or associated inquiries, investigations and other governmental actions may divert significant management time and attention and our financial resources, bring negative publicity, or subject us to liabilities or administrative penalties.
We are engaged in a business that exposes us to claims for product liability and warranty claims in the event our products actually or allegedly fail to perform as expected or the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in property damage or personal injury. Some of our products may be defectively designed or manufactured, and consumers may misuse our products in a way that poses danger to themselves. We may fail to detect, prevent, or fix such product defects or adequately educate consumers on the proper use of our products. Contractual disputes over warranties of our products can also arise in the ordinary course of our business. As a result, sales of defective products could expose us to warranty claims and product liability claims relating to personal injury or property damage and may require product recalls or other actions. Third parties subject to such injury or damage may bring claims or legal proceedings against us as a product seller or service provider. There can be no assurance that we will not experience material product liability losses in the future, or that we will be able to defend such claims at a contained level of cost. Though we currently maintain product liability insurance covering claims against us that arise out of defaults of our devices, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain insurance coverage with sufficient coverage at an acceptable cost in the future. A successful claim brought against us in excess of our available insurance coverage may have a material adverse effect on our business. Even unsuccessful claims and allegation of or negative publicity on safety of our products could result in the use of funds and managerial efforts in defending or refuting them and could negatively impact our reputation. In addition, though all agreements signed between the assembly partners and us contain compensation clauses for our losses caused by defective production or delivery, there can be no assurance that we can successfully enforce such clauses and get full compensation when such losses actually happen. Although we had insignificant volume of product replacement or product return historically, the cost of product replacements or product returns may be substantial, and we could incur substantial costs in implementing modifications to fix the defects. Any material product liability claim or litigation could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
23
We may, from time to time, be subject to allegations, claims and legal proceedings during the course of our business operations, including those alleging intellectual property right infringement from us, which could adversely affect our reputation, business and results of operations.
From time to time, we are subject to allegations, and may be a party to legal claims and regulatory proceedings, relating to our products, business operations, use of software in our systems, suppliers, assembly partners and other business partners, including intellectual property infringement claims, product defect claims, breach of contract, and tort claims. Such allegations, claims and proceedings may be brought by third parties, including IP holders, competitors, consumers, employees, location partners, network partners, suppliers, assembly partners, other business partners, governmental or regulatory bodies, or other third parties, and may include class actions. The outcome of litigation is difficult to assess or quantify. Plaintiffs in these types of lawsuits may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. We may also spend significant financial and management resources on defending against intellectual property right infringement claims or otherwise on any legal proceedings or legal settlements, which may negatively affect our financial condition and operating results if changes to our business operations and considerable management attention are required. There may also be negative publicity associated with litigation that could decrease consumer acceptance of our mobile device charging services, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable.
Companies, organizations or individuals, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, distribute or market our products and services, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. Additionally, we may receive from time to time letters alleging infringement of patents, trademarks or other intellectual property rights by us and we may be involved in intellectual property right infringement claims or disputes. We have been and may in the future be involved in intellectual property lawsuits alleging that certain components of our power banks or cabinets contain designs or other elements that infringe upon another party's patents or other intellectual property rights. For example, the cables equipped to charge Apple mobile devices in our power banks have not been manufactured under the Apple MFi program, a certification and licensing program that Apple promotes for developers or manufacturers of Apple device accessories. Although enrollment in the MFi program is not mandatory if the manufacturers do not use Apple technologies, we have entered into a procurement agreement with an MFi authorized manufacturer and plan to equip our power banks with MFi-certified cables only going forward. However, we cannot assure you that there will not be intellectual property infringement claims against us for the power banks without MFi-certified cables that were purchased in the past. Defending against intellectual property infringement claims or trying to reach a settlement on these claims may divert significant management time and financial resources, and we cannot guarantee we will be successful in such defense or getting a favorable settlement. If we are found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of third parties, we may be subject to substantial monetary penalties, and we may also be barred from using certain designs or components in our power banks or cabinets, which may make us incur substantial expenses on redesigning and re-manufacturing our power banks or cabinets. Consequently, our financial condition may deteriorate and our business operation may also be interrupted. Intellectual property related negative publicities, with or without merits, may also harm our brand image and reputation.
After we become a publicly listed company, we may face additional exposure to claims and lawsuits. These claims could divert management time and attention away from our business and result in significant costs to investigate and defend, regardless of the merits of the claims. In some instances, we may elect or be forced to pay substantial damages if we are unsuccessful in our
24
efforts to defend against these claims, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unsuccessful in retaining and attracting location partners, including KAs, to deploy our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our future growth depends on our ability to continue to attract new location partners, including KAs, to deploy our products on their premises and to retain existing location partners. Our growth strategies in this regard encompass expanding into broader categories of location partners in existing markets, working with new location partners in new markets and developing partnerships with more KAs, which represent vast, rapidly growing, and underserved market opportunities. See "Business Our Strategies." If we are not successful in either retaining our existing location partners and KAs or attracting new location partners and KAs to deploy our products, our POI coverage may stagnate or decline, our efforts at retaining existing users and attracting new users may be significantly impeded and our competitors may instead benefit from our loss and take our users. With such consequences, our revenues could decrease and we may not be able to expand our business base as planned, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Heightened health and sanitary concerns after the recent COVID-19 pandemic may increase our expenses on regular product sanitization, decrease consumer willingness to rent power banks at POIs with heavy traffic and boost consumer preference for purchasing new mobile device charging products, which may adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has raised public awareness of the importance of hygiene and sanitation. As our power banks are often rented to many consumers on a daily basis, power bank sanitization becomes a rather important concern for consumers. If we are to enhance our product sanitization efforts, we will incur increased operating expenses. In addition, there is no guarantee that such enhanced product sanitation efforts can convince consumers that our power banks are clean enough to use, especially at POIs with heavy traffic and lots of daily power bank rentals. Consumers may increasingly opt for more hygienic alternatives to our products and services, such as purchasing new mobile device charging products from other sources. Any sign of dirtiness on our power banks and any perceived connection between our power banks and catching of diseases, despite our efforts at sanitizing them, may also further discourage consumers from using our products and services, and negatively affect our reputation. Our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected if our enhanced sanitation efforts fail to convince the public of the cleanliness of our products.
If we are unable to anticipate and accommodate consumer preferences in a timely manner or otherwise fail to deliver a satisfactory consumer experience, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
The success of our operations depends on our ability to continually offer quality services and visually appealing and quality products that are attractive to consumers. Consumer preferences differ across and within each of the markets where we operate or plan to operate and may shift over time in response to changes in demographic and social trends, economic circumstances and the marketing efforts of our competitors. We must stay abreast of emerging consumer preferences and anticipate trends of service model and products that will appeal to existing and potential consumers. There can be no assurance that our existing products and services will continue to be favored by consumers or that we will be able to anticipate or respond to changes in consumer
25
preferences in a timely manner. Our collaboration with brand partners for the purpose of producing trendy product designs also may not meet the tastes and preferences of consumers to the extent that we expected. In particular, as we expand into new markets, we may not be able to offer products and services that sufficiently appeal to local consumers due to our lack of understanding of local cultures and lifestyles. Our failure to anticipate, identify or react to these particular preferences could adversely affect our financial performance and our profitability.
Increasing availability of power sockets, charging ports, wireless chargers and other types of public or complimentary charging devices or services at popular POIs, such as subway stations, coffee shops, restaurants and malls, may decrease the need for mobile device charging services, which would adversely affect our results of operations and business prospects.
Many of the popular types of POIs where we operate, such as railway stations, airports, coffee shops, restaurants and malls, increasingly offer public or complimentary mobile device charging products or services, such as power sockets, charging ports and wireless chargers. Since consumers tend to stay at these types of POIs for a while, they are also likely to make use of these public or complimentary mobile device charging products or services and avoid or lessen the need to rent power banks. It is uncertain whether such free mobile device charging products or services may become even more available in the future, and we cannot assure you that any increased availability of such devices or services will not negatively impact consumer demand for our products and services. If we cannot adjust our product and service offering and business strategies to maintain steady consumer demand in the face of increasing availability of free alternative to our products and services, our results of operations and business prospects may be adversely affected.
If we fail to timely adopt or develop and commercialize new products, services and technologies cost-effectively, or if such new products, services and technologies underperform expectations or are deemed inferior to those of our competitors, our business and financial performance may be adversely affected.
To remain competitive, we need to continue to stay abreast of evolving industry trends and to improve our technology accordingly. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to identify, develop, acquire or license leading technologies useful in our business, and our ability to continually develop and introduce new generations of our existing products and new power bank technologies with enhanced efficiency and functionalities in a timely and cost-effective manner. For example, it has been reported that Apple will start phasing out charging ports on the next generation of iPhones, with certain models completely eliminating charging ports and having wireless charging as the only option. If other smartphone manufacturers follow suit or otherwise change the charging ports on their phones, and our existing power banks fail to be compatible with wireless charging or the new charging ports adopted by smartphone manufacturers on a timely basis, we are likely to experience a sharp decline in our user base and revenues, and our results of operations and financial condition will also suffer tremendously. We may also incur substantial capital expenditure on remodeling or upgrading our existing power banks to be compatible with any such change in charging technologies, and we cannot guarantee that the remodeled or upgraded power banks will consistently function properly or be perfectly compatible with the new charging technologies. Such substantial capital expenditure to be incurred in catching up with new technology trends may materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance.
Our capability to roll out new or enhanced products and services in turn depend on a number of factors, including timely and successful research and development efforts by us as well as our suppliers and assembly partners to bring advanced technologies to the market, as well as quality control of service provision and product manufacturing. We utilize an array of industry-leading
26
hardware and software technologies, both proprietary and co-owned, to deliver the best user experience and operational efficiency. See "Business Our Technologies." The investments in new technologies entail significant technical and business risks, and the research and development of new or enhanced products and services can be complex and costly and may even be unsuccessful. Given the complexity, we could experience delays in completing the development and introduction of new and enhanced services and products in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully develop or effectively use new technologies, recoup the costs of developing new technologies or adapt our mini programs, proprietary technologies and systems to meet consumer requirements or emerging industry standards.
Our patents, trademarks, know-how, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights and proprietary rights are critical to our success. We may need to litigate against parties that infringe upon our intellectual property rights, which may be time-consuming and would incur substantial costs for us, and we may not be successful in doing so. Any failure to obtain, maintain, enforce or protect our patents and other intellectual property rights would materially and adversely harm our business, competitive position, results of operations and financial condition.
We consider our patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, internet domain names and other intellectual property rights invaluable to our ability to continue to develop our products and services and enhance our brand recognition. We have invested significant resources to develop our own intellectual property. Failure to maintain or protect these rights could harm our business. We rely on a combination of patents, patent applications, trade secrets, including know-how, copyrights, trademarks, intellectual property licenses, contractual rights and any other agreements to establish and protect our proprietary rights in our products. In addition, we have entered into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with all of our employees and a number of business partners. Despite these measures, any of our intellectual property rights could be circumvented, misappropriated or otherwise infringed upon by third parties. Confidentiality, invention assignment and non-compete agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach.
In addition, there can be no assurance that our patent and trademark applications will be approved, that any issued patents or registered trademarks will adequately protect our intellectual property, or that such patents and trademarks will not be challenged by third parties or found by a judicial authority to be invalid or unenforceable. Intellectual property statutory laws and regulations are subject to judicial interpretation and enforcement and may not be applied consistently due to the lack of clear guidance on statutory interpretation. This adds uncertainty when we need to initiate lawsuits against infringing third parties to stop them from further encroaching on our intellectual property rights and secure those rights. Pursuing these lawsuits may divert significant management time and financial resources, and we cannot guarantee we will be able to obtain the judgements we want. Intellectual property related negative publicities, with or without merits, may also harm our brand image and reputation. If we fail to secure our intellectual property rights in any lawsuits against third parties or otherwise fail to obtain, maintain, enforce or protect our intellectual property rights, our business, competitive position, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
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We rely on suppliers and assembly partners to provide products to us, and we may encounter issues in operating our supply chain that lead to supply chain disruption. If we fail to manage or expand our relationships with our suppliers and assembly partners, or otherwise fail to procure products on favorable terms, or our suppliers and assembly partners do not comply with our agreements with them, our reputation, results of operations and business prospects may suffer.
All of the components and raw materials used to produce our products are sourced from suppliers, which are then assembled by our assembly partners into power banks and cabinets. Therefore, we are subject to risks of shortages or discontinuation in supply, long lead time, cost increases and quality control issues associated with our suppliers and assembly partners. In addition, some of our suppliers may have more established relationships with our competitors, and as a result may choose to limit or terminate their relationship with us or prioritize our competitors' orders in the case of supply shortages. We have not experienced component shortages historically but may in the future experience such shortages. In addition, there may be industry-wide conditions, health crisis, natural disasters and global events in the future that may cause material shortages for components.
In the event of a component shortage or supply interruption from suppliers of key components, we will need to identify alternate sources of supply, which can be time-consuming, difficult and costly. We may also encounter situations where IP licensing fees or certification costs on certain key components cause our procurement costs to be prohibitively high. We may not be able to source these components or any substitutes on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which may undermine our ability to meet our production requirements or to fill our orders in a timely manner. This could cause delays in shipment and deployment of our products, harm our relationships with our users, network partners and location partners, and adversely affect our results of operations.
In addition, we cannot assure you that we can continue to procure products from our current suppliers and assembly partners on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, after the expiration of the current agreements, or that we can procure products from new suppliers and assembly partners on commercially acceptable terms. Even if we maintain good relationships with our suppliers and assembly partners, their ability to supply products to us in sufficient quantity, in a timely manner and at competitive prices may be adversely affected by economic conditions, premium IP licensing fees, labor actions, regulatory or legal decisions, customs and import restrictions, natural disasters or other causes. Any adverse developments in our relationships with suppliers and assembly partners could materially and adversely affect our business and growth prospects. Any disputes with suppliers and assembly partners could adversely affect our reputation and subject us to damages and negative publicity. If we fail to manage our relationship with existing suppliers and assembly partners or fail to work with new suppliers and assembly partners to meet increased business needs, our business and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Finally, our agreements with suppliers and assembly partners have various provisions on topics such as anti-bribery and environmental protection. However, we do not have direct control over our suppliers and assembly partners. Any non-compliance with these provisions by the suppliers and assembly partners could result in negative publicity against us, which could materially and adversely affect our reputation, brand image, business prospects and results of operations.
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We rely on our information systems to manage our power banks and cabinets and supply chain, process transactions, summarize and analyze operating data and otherwise oversee our operations. Any malfunction of our systems could harm our ability to conduct our business operations.
We depend on a variety of information technology systems for the efficient functioning of our business, including, without limitation, transaction processing and the management of our business development personnel, network partners, location partners, power banks and cabinets, logistics, POI selection, business intelligence, product placement and other aspects of operations. See "Business Our Technologies" for more information. Our technology systems may not deliver desired results or may do so on a delayed schedule. Any improper functioning of our technology systems could cause interruptions or deoptimization of our operations. For example, we depend on our hardware management system and business intelligence system to gather and analyze user behavioral data and derive insights that will guide us in various aspects of our operation, such as POI selection and product placement. Additionally, our technology systems are subject to damage or interruption from power surges and outages, facility damage, physical theft, computer and telecommunications failures, inadequate or ineffective redundancy, malicious code (including computer viruses, worms, ransomware, or similar), cyberattacks (including account compromise; phishing; spamming; denial of service attacks; and application, network or system vulnerability exploitation), software upgrade failures or code defects, natural disasters and human error. Design defects or damage or interruption to these systems may require a significant investment to fix or replace, disrupt our operations, result in the loss or corruption of critical data, and harm our reputation, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business or results of operations.
Our business depends on the continued success of our brand, and if we fail to maintain and enhance the recognition of our brand, or the recognition of our brand is adversely affected by any negative publicity concerning us, our reputation and operating results may be harmed.
We have built a distinct and versatile life-style brand that differentiates us from our competitors. Our brand not only represents reliability, accessibility and quality, but is also associated with youthfulness and trendiness. We believe that our brand equity is an important competitive edge of ours and has earned us loyal users. A well-recognized brand is critical to maintaining and expanding our user base and enhancing our attractiveness to consumers. From time to time, we conduct marketing activities across various media to enhance our brand and to guide public perception of our brand and services. In order to create and maintain brand awareness and brand loyalty, to influence public perception and to retain existing and attract new users, location partners and network partners, we may need to increase our marketing expenditures. We cannot assure you, however, that such marketing activities and the increased marketing expenditure may yield the brand promotion effect we expect. If we do not continue to maintain and strengthen our brand image and grow the value of our brand, we may lose the opportunity to build a critical mass of users, and our business and operating results may be adversely affected.
Negative publicity about us and our business, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers, other employees, business partners, users, businesses with similar names to ours without our authorization, as well as the industry in which we operate, can harm our brand and reputation. Negative publicity concerning these parties could be related to a wide variety of matters, including, but are not limited to:
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In addition to traditional media, there has been increasing use of social media platforms and similar media in China that provide individuals with access to a broad audience of consumers and other interested persons. The availability of information on instant messaging applications and social media platforms is virtually immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless and readily available. Information concerning our company, shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers and other employees may be posted on such platforms at any time. The risks associated with any such negative publicity or incorrect information cannot be completely eliminated or mitigated and may materially harm our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to offer consumers high-quality products or fail to maintain the quality of our products once they are in circulation, our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.
Offering high-quality products is essential to the success of our business. To ensure that we can continually offer high quality products to consumers, we have a quality assurance team that establishes, communicates and monitors quality standards by product category. Our suppliers are kept apprised of quality assurance expectations through a vendor management portal environment, and we have quality assurance personnel stationed at the facilities of our key assembly partners to perform sampling inspections to ensure that these assembly partners fully adhere to our quality standards in the production process. Despite the fact that we have implemented a host of quality control measures, we cannot assure you that our products will not have any quality issues in the future. Any product quality issue may result in claims, lawsuits, fines, penalties and negative publicities, and loss of consumer confidence in our products, which in turn would have material and adverse effects on our business, reputation, operating results and financial conditions. See also " We may be subject to claims under consumer protection laws, including health and safety claims and product liability claims, if property or people are harmed by our products. A product recall or an issue related to product liability, product defect or personal injury may damage our reputation and brand image. Additionally, new laws and regulations may impose additional requirements and other obligations on our business, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations."
Various possible market and consumer behavior trends may adversely affect the demand and pricing for our services and thus our financial performance and business prospects.
As the smartphone market in China becomes more and more mature, various possible market and consumer behavior trends may emerge and decrease consumer demand for and spending on our products and services. These possible trends include but are not limited to stagnation of smartphone penetration rate in our existing and new markets, wide adoption of new-generation
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smartphones with improved battery and energy efficiency by consumers, and less frequent use of smartphones for activities with high power consumption such as gaming and online video browsing, all of which will either decrease the rate of smartphone use or lessen the need for mobile device charging. We cannot assure you that these possible trends will not emerge, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to mitigate the adverse effects of these possible trends on our pricing, financial performance and business prospects.
Increasing focus with respect to environmental, social and governance matters may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks. Failure to comply with the laws and regulations on environmental, social and governance matters may subject us to penalties and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.
The PRC government and public advocacy groups have been increasingly focused on environment, social and governance ("ESG") issues in recent years, making our business more sensitive to ESG issues and changes in governmental policies and laws and regulations associated with environment protection and other ESG-related matters. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, and other influential investors are also increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Regardless of the industry, increased focus from investors and the PRC government on ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company's ESG practices. In the PRC, there are comprehensive environmental regulations and policies governing electronic product manufacturing in general, and the PRC may adopt more stringent standards in terms of ESG matters in the future. Any ESG concern or issue could increase our regulatory compliance costs. The heightened ESG standards may also increase our cost of revenues as they cause our suppliers and assembly partners to incur extra expenses in ensuring ESG-friendly sourcing and manufacturing processes. If we do not adapt to or comply with the evolving expectations and standards on ESG matters from investors and the PRC government or are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and the price of our ADSs could be materially and adversely effected.
If we fail to maintain the relationship with our network partners or fail to attract new network partners to distribute our products, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We collaborate with third-party network partners to install cabinets and provide users mobile device charging services. Maintaining the relationship with existing network partners and attracting new network partners to distribute our products are critical to our business and results of operations. However, we may not be able to maintain our relationship with network partners due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. For example, if our products or services fail to attract consumers, our network partners may experience declines in shared revenues and choose not to renew their contracts with us. In addition, we may also be unable to continually offer attractive terms or economic benefits to our network partners. As a result, our network partners may not be effectively motivated to distribute more of our products or continue the cooperative relationship with us. In addition, we may not be able to attract a sufficient number of new network partners, which will negatively affect our future business growth. The occurrence of any of the above could have a material and adverse effect on our expansion plans, business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
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If our network partners do not satisfactorily fulfill their responsibilities and commitments, our brand image and results of operations could be materially harmed.
We believe consumers expect the same quality of our products regardless of whether the power banks they use are directly managed by us or our network partners. To ensure that network partners operate successfully and according to our business standards, we provide them with business intelligence and a comprehensive training program. See "Business Our Operational Expertise Network partner management." However, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in monitoring power bank and cabinet operation by network partners and detecting any and all inconsistencies with our brand image or values or noncompliance with the provisions of our agreements by them. Our network partners may also breach other provisions of the agreements with us or otherwise engage in illegal actions or misconducts. See " Illegal actions, misconducts or non-compliance incidents by our location partners, network partners and other business partners, or any failure by them to provide satisfactory products or services, could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations." Any deviation by our network partners from our operational and service quality standards could, among other things, diminish the overall experience delivered to consumers, negatively affect our brand reputation or demands for our products and services.
Illegal actions, misconducts or non-compliance incidents by our location partners, network partners and other business partners, or any failure by them to provide satisfactory products or services, could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
Our reputation and operation may be harmed by illegal or unsatisfactory actions taken by our location partners, network partners, suppliers and assembly partners, and other third parties over which we have limited control. Any failure to obtain the requisite licenses and approvals from governmental authorities, misuse or improper placement of our products by our location partners or network partners might cause consumer complaints and negative publicities. Any failure of our suppliers and assembly partners to ensure product quality or to comply with our quality standards or other laws and regulations could also interrupt our operations, result in claims against us, subject us to damages and harm our reputation and brand image.
In addition, if our location partners, network partners and other business partners engage in any unlawful activities, fail to provide a satisfactory consumer experience, or are involved in any claims, allegations, lawsuits, litigations, administrative penalties or other legal proceedings, with or without merits, no matter whether we are a party or not, we might also be subject to reputational risks. Our agreements with location partners, network partners and other business partners have anti-bribery and anti-money laundering provisions. However, we do not have direct control over these partners. Any non-compliance with the anti-bribery provisions by location partners, network partner and other business partners could result in negative publicity against us, which could materially and adversely affect our reputation, brand image, business prospects and results of operations. We also cannot guarantee that our location partners, network partners and other business partners will fully comply with relevant provisions in our agreements with them regarding various operational standards. If any of our location partners, network partners and other business partners engage in any type of illegal actions, misconducts or non-compliance incidents, our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In the event that we become subject to claims caused by actions taken by our location partners, network partners or other business partners, we may seek compensation from or take other actions against the relevant location partners, network partners or other business partners. However, such compensation may be limited. For example, we may not be able to get fully
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compensated from our suppliers in case that our losses attributed to their actions exceed the maximum amount of indemnification we are able to seek from them. If no claim can be asserted against our location partners, network partners and other business partners, or amounts that we claim cannot be fully recovered from them, we may be required to bear such losses and compensation at our own costs, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not have internal manufacturing capabilities and rely on a few assembly partners to produce our products. If we encounter issues with these assembly partners, our business, brand and results of operations could be harmed.
We do not maintain our own manufacturing capabilities and rely on contract manufacturers to produce our products. We collaborate with top-tier power bank assembly partners to outsource the assembly of our power banks and cabinets. We may experience operational difficulties with our assembly partners, including reductions in the availability of production capacity, failures to comply with product specifications, insufficient quality control, failures to meet production deadlines, increases in manufacturing costs and longer lead time required. Our assembly partners may experience disruptions in their manufacturing operations due to equipment breakdowns, labor strikes or shortages, natural disasters, virus outbreaks, component or material shortages, cost increases or other similar problems. In addition, we may not be able to renew contracts with our assembly partners or identify assembly partners who are capable of producing new products we target to launch in the future.
Unfavorable fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials to our suppliers could cause material production delays or materially increase our capital expenditure.
The success of our overall business depends in part on our ability to timely obtain sufficient quantities of the necessary raw materials and components at commercially acceptable terms from our suppliers so that our assembly partners can manufacture our products at reasonable speed and cost. Generally, unfavorable fluctuations in price, quality, or availability of necessary raw materials could have a negative effect on our financial margins and our ability to deliver our products to the market in a timely manner. If supplies of the necessary raw materials and components substantially decrease or if there are significant increases in prices of such raw materials and components, our suppliers may incur additional costs to acquire sufficient quantities of these materials in order to maintain our product offering schedules. We may have to increase the prices of our mobile device charging services due to the increase in our procurement cost. Any of the abovementioned factors may materially and adversely harm our business, brand image, financial condition, results of operations or reputation.
If our location partners fail to successfully operate our power bank cabinets, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.
Our business development personnel and network partners are responsible for the maintenance of power banks and cabinets within the areas where they develop and manage relationship with location partners, but the quality of our power banks may be compromised if our business development personnel fail to effectively monitor the quality and status of the power banks and cabinets in their areas. Even if our business development personnel or network partners can effectively monitor the power banks and cabinets, there are still factors beyond our control which may results in failure by our location partners to successfully operate and maintain our power bank cabinets in a manner consistent with our standards and requirements, such as offering subpar customer service. While our business development personnel and network partners evaluate the performance of location partners and have the right to terminate our agreements with them if they
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underperform our expectations financially or operationally, we may not be able to identify problems and take action in a timely manner with respect to our location partners. As a result, our image and reputation may suffer, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
We have undertaken brand collaborations with brand partners. If we fail to maintain or expand our collaborations with brand partners, or our existing collaborations with any of our brand partners is terminated or curtailed, or if we are no longer able to benefit from such collaborations, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
From time to time, we initiate campaigns where we collaborate with popular brand partners to come up with product designs that feature elements from the partnered brand, which tend to attract more customers of our mobile device charging services. In addition to releasing power banks with partnered brand designs, these campaigns sometimes involve offline promotional activities to boost our brand awareness. If we are unable to maintain or expand our collaboration with these brand partners in the future, our business and operating results may be materially and adversely affected. To the extent we cannot maintain our cooperative relationships with any of our brand partners, it may be very difficult for us to identify qualified alternative brand partners, which may divert significant management attention from existing business operations and adversely impact our daily operation and consumer experience. Our cooperation with brand partners may also be adversely affected by negative publicity regarding our brand partners, which could negatively affect our reputation, business and results of operations.
In addition, the license agreements we entered into with brand partners contain extensive and detailed provisions setting forth the scope of licenses, such as the number of products that are allowed to use the licensed intellectual properties, territories where the licenses are applicable, among others. We, our employees and our business partners may inadvertently breach such intellectual property protection provisions and therefore subject us to liabilities under our agreements with brand partners. Disputes may also arise due to reasons that we are unable to foresee. If we are unable to resolve disputes with brand partners, we may not be able to continue our cooperation with our brand partners, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Our directors, management, shareholders, employees and affiliates may from time to time be subject to negative publicity or legal proceedings, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations.
Negative publicity about our shareholders, affiliates, directors, officers and other employees can harm our brand and reputation. However, we do not have control or have limited control over the actions of these parties, and any misbehavior or misconduct by these parties could bring us negative publicity or even liability. In addition, our shareholders, directors, employees and affiliates may from time to time be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings and/or disputes or otherwise face potential liability and expense in relation to commercial, labor, employment, securities or other matters, which could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations. We recently became aware of a lawsuit filed by two individuals alleging that our chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, had failed to fulfill an alleged promise to gift a 3% equity stake in our VIE to the plaintiffs. Mr. Cai's PRC litigation counsel, AllBright Law Offices, has advised him in its written legal opinion that the plaintiffs' claims are baseless and frivolous, and Mr. Cai is contesting the claims vigorously. However, it is inherently difficult to predict the outcome or duration of any court proceedings in China, and there can be no assurance that Mr. Cai will be able to prevail in the lawsuit or that he will be able to settle the lawsuit on terms favorable to him. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that additional legal actions
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relating to or arising out of the lawsuit would not be threatened or brought against us, Mr Cai, or our other directors and officers in the future, nor can we predict the potential impact of any such actions on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. If the plaintiffs are successful in pursuing their claims, especially if we become liable as a result of these proceedings, the possible range of loss to our VIE and our business in general would be difficult to assess. An adverse ruling could have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, capital structure (including potential dilution to the shareholders of our VIE), business and financial condition. The lawsuit may require us to incur additional resources and divert attention of Mr. Cai and other management, which could in turn harm our business.
Undetected programming errors or flaws or failure to maintain effective customer service could damage our reputation or even cause direct loss to us which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our technology systems rely on software that is highly technical and complex. In addition, our technology systems depend on the ability of such software to store, retrieve, process and manage an immense amount of data and the ability of their operators to operate these complex systems properly. The software on which we rely may contain undetected programming errors or design defects, some of which may only be discovered after the code has been released. Improper operations or other human errors may also occur from time to time as a result of operating such software and complex systems. Programming errors or design defects within the software or human errors in connection with the operation of the software may result in miscalculation of incentive fees payable to our network partners and location partners, negative experience to users, disruptions and deoptimization of the operation of our power bank cabinets, unintended leakage of confidential information of users, network partners, locations partners or other business partners, compromise in our ability to provide effective customer service and exploitation of loopholes by malicious hackers. Theses consequences could cause damage to our reputation, misrepresentation of our financial results, loss of users or business partners, or direct economic loss to us.
The growth and profitability of our business depend on the level of consumer demand and discretionary spending. A severe or prolonged economic downturn in China could materially and adversely affect consumer discretionary spending and therefore adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The success of our business depends, to a significant extent, on the level of consumer demand and discretionary spending in China. A number of factors beyond our control may affect the level of consumer demand and discretionary spending on the products that we offer, including, among other things:
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Reduced consumer confidence and spending cut backs may result in reduced demand for our products and services. Reduced demand also may require increased sales and marketing expenses. Adverse economic conditions and any related decrease in consumer demand for our products and services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the level of consumer outdoor activities and the related spending in the first half of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has also resulted in a severe and negative impact on the Chinese economy. Negative economic conditions related to this outbreak may limit the consumer confidence and the amount of disposable income available to consumers, which may impact our consumer demand. Whether the pandemic will lead to a prolonged downturn in the economy is still unknown. Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the global macroeconomic environment was facing numerous challenges. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has been slowing down. There is considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies which had been adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world's leading economies, including the United States and China, even before 2020. Unrest, terrorist threats and the potential for war in the Middle East and elsewhere may increase market volatility across the globe. There have also been concerns about the relationship between China and other countries, including but not limited to the surrounding Asian countries, which may potentially have economic impact. In particular, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and China with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. Economic conditions in China are sensitive to global economic conditions, as well as changes in domestic economic and political policies and the expected or perceived overall economic growth rate in China. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, many of the factors identified above also affect commodity rates, transportation costs, costs of labor, insurance and healthcare, lease costs, measures that create barriers to or increase the costs associated with international trade, changes in other laws and regulations and other economic factors, all of which may impact our cost of revenues, our sales and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Natural disasters and unusual weather conditions, extended winter, power outages, pandemic outbreaks, terrorist acts, global political events and other serious catastrophic events could disrupt our business, result in lower user traffic and revenues and otherwise materially and adversely affect our financial performance.
In addition to the impact of COVID-19, natural disasters, such as fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, unusual weather conditions, extended winter, power outages, other pandemic outbreaks, terrorist acts or disruptive global political events, or similar disruptions could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance. These events could result in 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 operate our power bank cabinets. These events could also result in increases in fuel (or other energy) prices or a fuel shortage, delays in the opening of our location partners, the temporary lack of an adequate workforce in a market, the temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of products from some suppliers or assembly partners, increased transportation costs in product delivery, and the temporary reduction in the availability of our products. These events also can have indirect consequences such as increases in the costs of insurance if they result in significant loss of property or other insurable damage. To the extent these events result in the closure of the operation of our location partners and network partners, our administrative offices or impact one or more of our key suppliers or assembly partners, our
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operations and financial performance could be materially and adversely affected. Uncharacteristic or significant weather conditions and extended winter can also negatively affect consumer outdoor activity levels, user traffic our POIs, and consumer spending patterns, which could lead to lost revenues and materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Most of our directors and management and the majority of our employees currently reside in Shanghai, China, and most of our system hardware and back-up systems are hosted in facilities located in China. Consequently, if any natural disasters, health epidemics or other public safety concerns were to affect China and Shanghai in particular, our operation may experience material disruptions, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we fail to manage our products and warehouses effectively, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be materially and adversely affected.
Our scale and business model require us to manage a large volume of power banks effectively. We depend on our business intelligence system to analyze product use patterns to make purchase decisions and to manage our products and warehouses. Demand for products, however, can change significantly between the time when the products are ordered and the date by which we target to distribute them. Demand may be affected by seasonality, new product launches from competitors, changes in product cycles and pricing, product defects, changes in consumer spending patterns, changes in consumer tastes with respect to our products and other factors, and consumers may not rent our products in the quantities that we expect. As we plan to continue expanding our POI coverage, we expect to store more products and thus lease more warehouse space, which will make it more challenging for us to manage our products and warehouses effectively and will put more pressure on our warehousing system.
If we fail to manage our products and warehouses effectively, we may be subject to a heightened risk of product obsolescence, a decline in product values, and significant product write-downs or write-offs. Any of these risks may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. On the other hand, if we underestimate demand for our products, or if our suppliers and assembly partners fail to supply quality products in a timely manner, we may experience product shortages, which might result in reduction in revenues, diminished brand loyalty and lost revenues, any of which could harm our business and reputation.
We are subject to certain risks relating to the warehousing and transportation of our products.
Our industry-leading warehousing and logistics management capabilities enable us to handle large numbers of power banks and cabinets daily. We implement a dynamic warehousing system that changes based on our hardware, which is determined by our predicted power bank and cabinet needs. Our hardware management system enables us to see in precise detail the locations and numbers of our devices, and our business intelligence system makes predictions of future power bank and cabinet need. We also conduct regular meetings with local business development personnel to further gauge their needs for power banks and cabinets. We are therefore able to conduct refined just-in-time hardware management, decreasing our warehousing costs. We currently lease warehouses with varying sizes to achieve flexibility in our storage cost. We also store some of the raw materials and components that we source from our suppliers. If any accidents, including conflagrations, were to occur, causing damage to our finished products or our warehouses, our ability to supply products on time and our market reputation, financial condition, results of operations or business could be materially and adversely affected. We often outsource the delivery of our products to third-party logistics and transportation companies. Relying on these third parties increases the risk that we may fail to deliver finished products on time. The efficient operation of our supply chain depends on the timely receipt of products from our warehouses. Such logistics services could be suspended and thereby interrupt the supply of our products if
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unforeseen events occur which are beyond our control, such as COVID-19, poor handling of and damage to our finished products, transportation bottlenecks and/or labor strikes. If our products are not delivered on time or are delivered in a damaged state, our market reputation could be adversely affected. Disruptions in the delivery of products due to work stoppages by employees or contractors of any of these third parties could delay the timely receipt of products. There can be no assurance that such stoppages or disruptions will not occur in the future. The occurrence of any of these problems alone, or together, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or business.
Our pricing policies may negatively affect our results of operations.
Our results of operations are affected by the pricing of our services and products. Our revenues are affected by the pricing levels of our mobile device charging services and the sale price of our power banks. Our ability to raise the pricing levels of our mobile device charging services depends on our pricing strategy based on user insight, as well as our ability to increase the number of POIs and available-for-use power banks. We adopt a dynamic pricing strategy for our mobile device charging services, setting higher prices for areas with higher purchase power and more foot-traffic. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or increase our price levels in the future without adversely affecting the demand for our mobile device charging services.
We collect, store, process and use personal information and other user data, and we are required to comply with PRC and other applicable laws relating to privacy and cyber security. The improper use, disclosure or leakage of data could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects.
We have adopted security policies and measures, including encryption technology, to protect our proprietary data and user information. However, our information systems may be targets of attacks, such as viruses, malware or phishing attempts by cyber criminals or other wrongdoers seeking to steal our user data for financial gain or to harm our business operations or reputation. The loss, misuse or compromise of such information may result in costly investigations, remediation efforts and notification to affected users. If such content is accessed by unauthorized third parties or deleted inadvertently by us or third parties, our brand and reputation could be adversely affected. Cyber-attacks could also adversely affect our operating results, consume internal resources, and result in litigation or potential liability for us and otherwise harm our business. In addition, any failure or perceived failure by us to prevent information security breaches or to comply with privacy policies or privacy-related legal and administrative obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other user data, could cause our users to lose trust in us and could expose us to legal claims.
A growing number of legislative and regulatory bodies have adopted consumer notification requirements in the event of unauthorized access to or acquisition of certain types of personal data. Such breach notification laws continue to evolve and may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. Complying with these obligations could cause us to incur substantial costs and could increase negative publicity surrounding any incident that compromises user data. Any failure to comply with applicable regulations could also result in regulatory enforcement actions against us.
Failure to protect personal or confidential information against security breaches could subject us to significant reputational, financial and legal consequences and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
The protection of consumer, employee, supplier, assembly partner, location partner, network partner and company data is critical to our business. A significant breach of consumer, employee, supplier, location partner, network partner or company data could attract a substantial amount of
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media attention, damage our relationships with consumers and our reputation and result in reduced demand for our products and services, fines or lawsuits. Throughout our operations, we receive, retain and transmit certain personal information that consumers provide to purchase our products or services, enroll in promotional programs, or otherwise communicate and interact with us. To enhance store security and better understand consumers' consumption preference, we have collected consumers' personal information through the application of our business intelligence technologies. During such information collection process, we take necessary steps and strive to comply with relevant PRC laws and regulations with respect to privacy and personal data protection. If we fail to fully comply with applicable privacy, data security and personal information protection laws, regulations, policies or other requirements, we may be subject to civil or regulatory liabilities or challenged for a potential infringement which may subject us to significant legal, financial and operational consequences.
We have adopted security policies and measures, including encryption technology, to protect our proprietary data and consumer information. However, advances in technology, the expertise of hackers, improper use or sharing of data, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other events or developments could result in a compromise or breach of the technology that we use to protect confidential information. Our security measures may be undermined due to the actions of outside parties, employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems and misappropriate business and personal information. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and potentially have an adverse effect on our business.
In addition, certain aspects of our operations depend upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Although we deploy a layered approach to address information security threats and vulnerabilities designed to protect confidential information against data security breaches, a compromise of our data security systems or of those of businesses with whom we interact, which results in confidential information being accessed, obtained, damaged or used by unauthorized or improper persons, could harm our reputation and expose us to regulatory actions and claims from consumers, financial institutions, payment card associations and other persons, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend substantial additional resources related to the security of information systems and disrupt our business.
The regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding, with the frequent imposition of new and changing requirements. In China, the PRC Constitution, the PRC Criminal Law, the PRC Civil Code and the PRC Cyber Security Law protect individual privacy in general, which require certain authorization or consent from internet users prior to collection, use or disclosure of their personal data and also protection of the security of the personal data of such users. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to significant reputational, financial and legal consequences and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Our success depends on the continuing and collaborative efforts of our management team and other key personnel. If we fail to hire, retain and motivate our key employees, our business may suffer.
Our success heavily depends upon the continued services of our management. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, our chairman and chief executive officer, and other executive officers. If one or more of our senior management were
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unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we might not be able to replace them easily or at all, and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. If any of our senior management joins a competitor or forms a competing business, we may lose consumers, suppliers, know-how and key professionals and staff members. Our senior management has entered into employment agreements and confidentiality and non-competition agreements with us. However, if any dispute arises between our officers and us, we may have to incur substantial costs and expenses in order to enforce such agreements or we may be unable to enforce them in a timely manner, or at all. In addition, there may have been negative publicities about our management, which could negatively affect our reputation, brand image and business operations. Furthermore, we do not have key-man insurance for any of our executive officers or other key personnel. Events or activities attributed to our executive officers or other key personnel, and related publicity, whether or not justified, may affect their ability or willingness to continue to serve our company or dedicate their full time and efforts to our company and negatively affect our brand and reputation, resulting in an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Competition for qualified personnel is often intense. If we are unable to recruit, train and retain sufficient qualified personnel while controlling our labor costs, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Our ability to continue to conduct and expand our operations depends on our ability to attract and retain a large and growing number of qualified personnel globally. Our ability to meet our labor needs, including our ability to find qualified personnel to fill positions that become vacant, while controlling labor costs, is generally subject to numerous external factors, including the availability of a sufficient number of qualified persons in the work force of the markets in which we operate, unemployment levels within those markets, prevailing wage rates, changing demographics, health and other insurance costs and adoption of new or revised employment and labor laws and regulations. If we are unable to locate, attract or retain qualified personnel, or manage leadership transition successfully, the quality of service we provide to consumers may decrease and our financial performance may be adversely affected. In addition, if our costs of labor or related costs increase for other reasons or if new or revised labor laws, rules or regulations or healthcare laws are adopted or implemented that further increase our labor costs, our financial performance could be materially and adversely affected.
We may make acquisitions, establish joint ventures and conduct other strategic investments, which may not be successful and could require significant management attention and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
To further expand our business and strengthen our market-leading position, we may tap into new market opportunities or enter into new markets by forming strategic alliances or making strategic investments and acquisitions. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, distraction of management from overseeing our existing operations, difficulties in executing new business initiatives, entering markets or lines of business in which we have no or limited direct prior experience, the possible loss of key employees and consumers and difficulties in achieving the synergies we anticipated or levels of revenues, profitability, productivity or other benefits we expected. These transactions may also cause us to significantly increase our interest expense, leverage and debt service requirements if we incur additional debt to pay for an acquisition or investment, issue ordinary shares that would dilute our current shareholders' percentage ownership, or incur asset write-offs and restructuring costs and other related expenses. Acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic investments involve numerous other risks, including potential exposure to unknown liabilities of acquired or investee companies. In connection with acquisitions, joint ventures or strategic investments outside China,
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we may from time to time, in some instances enter into foreign currency contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge some or all of the foreign currency fluctuation risks, which subjects us to the risks associated with such derivative contracts and instruments. No assurance can be given that our acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic investments will be successful and will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We may become a target for public scrutiny, including complaints to regulatory agencies, negative media coverage, and public dissemination of malicious reports or accusations about our business, all of which could severely damage our reputation and materially and adversely affect our business and prospects.
We process a large number of transactions on a daily basis, and the high volume of transactions as well as publicity about our business create the possibility of heightened attention from the public, regulators and the media. Heightened regulatory and public concerns over consumer protection and consumer safety issues may subject us to additional legal and social responsibilities and increased scrutiny and negative publicity over these issues, due to the large number of transactions we process daily and the increasing scope of our overall business operations. In addition, changes in our services or policies have resulted and could result in objections by members of the public, the traditional, new and social media, social network operators, our business partners or others. From time to time, these objections or allegations, regardless of their veracity, may result in consumer dissatisfaction, public protests or negative publicity, which could result in government inquiry or substantial harm to our brand, reputation and operations.
Moreover, as our business expands and grows, we may be exposed to heightened public scrutiny in markets where we already operate as well as in new markets where we may operate. There is no assurance that we would not become a target for regulatory or public scrutiny in the future or that scrutiny and public exposure would not severely damage our reputation as well as our business and prospects.
Furthermore, our brand name and our business may be harmed by aggressive marketing and communication strategies by third parties. We may be subject to government or regulatory investigation or third-party claims as a result and we may be required to spend significant time and incur substantial costs to react to and address these consequences. There is no assurance that we will be able to effectively refute each of the allegations within a reasonable period of time, or at all. Additionally, public allegations, directly or indirectly, against us or our business partners, may be posted on online by anyone on an anonymous basis. The availability of information on social media platforms is virtually immediate, as is its impact. Social media platforms may not necessarily filter or check the accuracy of information before publishing them and we are often afforded little or no time to respond. As a result, our reputation may be materially and adversely affected and our ability to attract and retain users and maintain our market share and profitability may suffer.
Any lack of requisite approvals, licenses or permits applicable to our business may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations in jurisdictions in which we operate, we are required to maintain various approvals, licenses, permits and filings to operate our business. These approvals, licenses, permits and filings are obtained upon satisfactory compliance with, among other things, the applicable laws and regulations.
As required by the PRC laws, a company that uses an office in a location outside its domicile to conduct business operation must register such office as a branch company with competent local authorities. We currently rent some office space in certain cities and counties for the general and
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administrative use of our local personnel, which are not registered as our branch companies. As we quickly expand our operations, we may need to register branch companies to comply with requirements of government authorities. We cannot assure you that the governmental authorities will take the same view with us on whether such rented offices are required or qualified to be registered as a branch company. If the government authorities find that we fail to complete branch company registrations for any of our rented offices or we fail to change the registrations to reflect the change of location in a timely manner or otherwise violate relevant regulations on branch companies, we may be subject to fines, confiscation of income, or being ordered to cease business activities.
If government authorities in jurisdictions where we operate require additional licenses or permits or provides more strict supervision requirements in the future, or if we have to obtain relevant licenses or permits in a short period of time, there is no guarantee that we would be able to obtain such licenses or permits or meet all the supervision requirements in a timely manner, or at all.
The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of internet, mobile, and other infrastructures that are not under our control.
Our business depends on the performance and reliability of internet, mobile, and other infrastructures that are not under our control. Disruptions in internet infrastructure or GPS signals or the failure of telecommunications network operators to provide us with the bandwidth we need to provide our products and service may interfere with the speed and availability of our service on our mini programs. If our service is unavailable when users attempt to access it through our mini programs, or if our mini programs do not load as quickly as users expect, users may not return to our service as often in the future, or at all, and may use our competitors' products or services more often. In addition, we have no control over the costs of the services provided by national telecommunications operators. If mobile internet access fees or other charges to internet users increase, consumer traffic may decrease, which may in turn cause our revenues to significantly decrease.
Our business depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of mobile communications systems. The occurrence of an unanticipated problem, such as a power outage, telecommunications delay or failure, security breach, or computer virus could result in delays or interruptions to our products and services, as well as business interruptions for us and our users. Furthermore, local governments may shut down connection to our mini programs at the routing level. Any of these events could damage our reputation, significantly disrupt our operations, and subject us to liability, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
The successful operation of our business depends upon the cooperation of third parties that are not under our control.
Our user acquisition relies on our mini programs built on platforms provided by WeChat, Alipay and other third-party partners. Currently, we do not have any proprietary mobile apps for users to access our products and services. If we lose our cooperation with third-party business partners owning the platforms where our mini programs are operated, for example, by unintentionally breaching the rules set by these third parties that lead to the suspension of our mini programs, our users may no longer access our products and services via the mini programs. Such events could damage our reputation, significantly disrupt our operations, and subject us to liability, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
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If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely impacted.
Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, a "material weakness" 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 the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weaknesses identified are (i) our company's lack of sufficient competent financial reporting and accounting personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of U.S. GAAP to address complex U.S. GAAP technical accounting issues and to prepare and review our consolidated financial statements, including disclosure notes thereto, in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting requirements, and (ii) our lack of period-end financial closing policies and procedures for preparation of our consolidated financial statements, including disclosure notes thereto, in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC financial reporting and disclosure requirements. These material weaknesses, if not remediated timely, may lead to material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements in the future. Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. Had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional deficiencies may have been identified.
Following the identification of the material weaknesses and other significant control deficiencies, we have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remediate these deficiencies. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Internal Control Over Financial Reporting." However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remediated. Our failure to correct these deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could significantly hinder our ability to prevent fraud.
After we become a public company in the United States, we will be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. In addition, once we cease to be an "emerging growth company" as such term is defined in the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting its own independent testing, may issue an opinion that is adverse or a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal control over financial reporting or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it
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interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition, after we become a public company, our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. We may be unable to timely complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation.
During the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify other or more material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404. Generally speaking, if we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations and lead to a decline in the trading price of our ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from the stock exchange on which we list, regulatory investigations and civil or criminal sanctions. We may also be required to restate our consolidated financial statements for prior periods.
Our rights to use our leased properties may be defective and could be challenged by property owners or other third parties, which may disrupt our operations and incur relocation costs.
As of December 31, 2020, we leased approximately 220 premises in China. Ownership certificates or other similar proof of certain leased properties have not been provided to us by the relevant lessors. Therefore, we cannot assure you that such lessors are entitled to lease the relevant real properties to us. It is also likely that the construction of such leased properties was not in line with zoning laws or local construction planning and such properties may be ordered by relevant government authorities to be demolished. In addition, our use of certain leased properties does not comply with the approved use stipulated in the title certificates of such properties. If any of the foregoing happens, we may not be able to continue to use such leased properties and have to relocate to other premises. We cannot assure you that suitable alternative locations are readily available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and if we are unable to relocate our operations in a timely manner, our operations may be adversely affected.
In addition, under the PRC laws and regulations, all lease agreements are required to be registered with the local land and real estate administration bureau. The lease agreements for some of our leased properties in China have not been filed for registration with the relevant PRC government authorities. Although failure to do so does not in itself invalidate the leases, we may be subject to fines if we fail to rectify such non-compliance within the prescribed time frame after receiving notice from the relevant PRC government authorities. The penalty ranges from RMB1,000 to RMB10,000 for each unregistered lease, at the discretion of the relevant authority. In the event that any fine is imposed on us for our failure to register our lease agreements, we may not be able to recover such losses from the lessors.
We have limited insurance coverage, which could expose us to significant costs.
We maintain certain insurance policies to safeguard against various risks and unexpected events associated with our business and operations, including all-risk property insurance covering our products and fixed assets such as equipment, furniture and office facilities. We also provide social security insurance as required by relevant rules and regulation in China, including general care and work-related injury insurance, for our employees. Additionally, we provide group accident
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insurance for all employees and supplementary medical insurance for all management, R&D and other professional personnel. Our product liability insurance covers any claims against our company that arises out of defaults of our hardware. However, insurance companies in China currently offer limited business-related insurance products. We do not maintain business interruption insurance, nor do we maintain key-man life insurance. We cannot assure you that our insurance coverage is sufficient to prevent us from any loss or that we will be able to successfully claim our losses under our current insurance policy on a timely basis, or at all. If we incur any loss that is not covered by our insurance policies, or the compensated amount is significantly less than our actual loss, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We may need additional capital, and financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We believe our cash and cash equivalents and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our current and anticipated needs for general corporate purposes for at least the next 12 months from the date of this prospectus. We may, however, need additional cash resources in the future if we experience changes in business conditions or other developments. We may also need additional cash resources in the future if we find and wish to pursue opportunities for investment, acquisition, capital expenditure or similar actions. If we determine in the future that our cash requirements exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand, we may seek to issue equity or equity linked securities or obtain debt financing. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital on terms favorable to us, or at all, if and when required, especially if we experience disappointing results of operations.
We have granted, and may continue to grant, restricted share units and other types of awards under our share incentive plan, which may result in increased equity-settled share-based payment expenses.
In order to attract and retain qualified employees, provide incentives to our directors and employees, and promote the success of our business, we adopted a share incentive plan in January 2021, or the 2021 Share Incentive Plan, which amended and restated share incentive plan we, our predecessor or any of our subsidiaries adopted previously, if any, in its/their entirety and all awards granted and outstanding thereunder survived the termination of previous share incentive plan(s). The terms and conditions of those survived awards remain unchanged and continue to be effective and binding under the 2021 Share Incentive Plan. We previously issued a total of 46,566,250 to two of our shareholding vehicles, Smart Share CGY Holding Limited and Smart Share Brothers Holding Limited for the purpose of granting share incentive awards. These ordinary shares have been transferred back to our company as our treasury shares and form the initial pool of ordinary shares that can be issued under the 2021 Share Incentive Plan as of the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, 17,847,431 restricted share units have been granted and remain outstanding under the 2021 Share Incentive Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, we recorded RMB39.1 million and RMB29.8 million (US$4.6 million) in share-based compensation expenses, respectively.
We believe the granting of share-based awards is of significant importance to our ability to attract and retain key personnel and employees, and we will continue to grant share-based awards to employees in the future. As a result, our expenses associated with share-based payment expenses may increase, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
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We may be subject to penalties under relevant PRC laws and regulations due to failure to be in full compliance with social insurance and housing provident fund regulations.
Companies operating in China are required to participate in various government-sponsored employee benefit plans, including certain social insurance, housing funds and other welfare-oriented payment obligations, and contribute to the plans in amounts equal to certain percentages of salaries, including bonuses and allowances, of employees up to a maximum amount specified by the local government from time to time at locations where our employees are based. The requirements of employee benefit plans have not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. If we are determined by local authorities to fail to make adequate contributions to any employee benefits as required by relevant PRC regulations, we may face late fees or fines in relation to the underpaid employee benefits. In addition, our provision for these liabilities may not be adequate, particularly in light of the recent tightening regulations. We have not made contributions in full to social insurance and housing provident fund for some of our employees based on relevant PRC regulations. As a result, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE engaged third-party human resources agencies to pay social insurance and housing funds for some of their employees. As of the date of this prospectus, our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE had not received any notice from the local authorities or any claim or request from these employees in this regard. Under the agreements between the third-party human resources agencies and our relevant subsidiaries or VIE, the third-party human resources agencies have the obligations to pay social insurance and housing funds contributions for our relevant employees. However, if the human resource agencies fail to pay the social insurance or housing fund contributions for and behalf of our employees as required under applicable PRC laws and regulations or if our practice of having third-party human resources agencies to make social insurance and housing fund contributions for some of our employees is challenged by the government authorities, we may be subject to penalties imposed by the local social insurance authorities and the local housing fund management centers for failing to discharge our obligations in relation to payment of social insurance and housing funds as an employer.
We currently rely on third-party online payment service providers for payment processing. If these payment services are restricted or curtailed in any way, are offered to us on less favorable terms, or become unavailable to us or our paying users for any reason, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
All online payments for our service to users are settled through third-party online payment service providers. Our business depends on the billing, payment and escrow systems of these payment service providers to maintain accurate records of payments by paying users and collect such payments. If the quality, utility, convenience or attractiveness of these payment processing and escrow services declines, or we have to change the pattern of using these payment services for any reason, the attractiveness of our mobile device charging services could be materially and adversely affected.
Business involving online payment services is subject to a number of risks that could materially and adversely affect third-party online payment service providers' ability to provide payment processing and escrow services to us, including:
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Certain commercial banks in China impose limits on the amounts that may be transferred by automated payment from paying users' bank accounts to their linked accounts with third-party online payment services. We cannot predict whether these and any additional restrictions that could be put in place would have a material adverse effect on our mobile device charging services.
The commercial banks and third-party online payment service providers that we work with are subject to the supervision of the People's Bank of China, or the PBOC. The PBOC may publish rules, guidelines and interpretations from time to time regulating the operation of financial institutions and payment service providers that may in turn affect the pattern of services provided by such entities for us. For example, in November 2017, the PBOC published a notice, or the PBOC Notice, on the investigation and administration of illegal offering of settlement services by financial institutions and third-party payment service providers to unlicensed entities. The PBOC Notice intended to prevent unlicensed entities from using licensed payment service providers as a conduit for conducting the unlicensed payment settlement services, so as to safeguard the fund security and information security.
We cannot assure you that we will be successful in entering and maintaining amicable relationships with these online payment service providers. Identifying, negotiating and maintaining relationships with these providers require significant time and resources. Our current agreements with these service providers also do not prohibit them from working with our competitors. They could choose to terminate their relationships with us or propose terms that we cannot accept. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that the terms we negotiated with these payment service providers, including the payment processing fee rates, will remain as favorable. If the terms with these payment service providers become less favorable to us, such as the increase of payment processing fee rate, we may have to raise the transaction services fees for certain of our location partners, which may cause us to lose location partners, or absorb the additional costs by ourselves, both of which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, these service providers may not perform as expected under our agreements with them, and we may have disagreements or disputes with such payment service providers, any of which could adversely affect our brand and reputation as well as our business operations.
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Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure
If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Foreign ownership in entities that provide value-added telecommunication services, with a few exceptions, is subject to restrictions under current PRC laws and regulations. Specifically, foreign ownership of an internet information service provider may not exceed 50%, and the major foreign investor is required to have a record of good performance and operating experience in managing value-added telecommunications business.
We are a Cayman Islands company and our PRC subsidiaries are considered foreign-invested enterprises. To ensure compliance with the PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our foreign investment-restricted business in China through our VIE, which currently holds the value-added telecommunication business license based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders. These contractual agreements enable us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive call option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law. As a result of these contractual arrangements, we exert control over our VIE and consolidate financial results of our VIE in our financial statements under U.S. GAAP. See "Corporate History and Structure" for further details.
In the opinion of our PRC legal counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, (i) the ownership structures of our VIE and Zhixiang WFOE in China are not in violation of mandatory provisions of applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect; and (ii) the agreements under the contractual arrangements among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders governed by PRC law are valid and binding upon each party to such agreements and enforceable against each party thereto in accordance with their terms and applicable PRC laws and regulations currently in effect. However, we have been further advised by our PRC legal counsel that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current or future PRC laws and regulations. Thus, the PRC government may ultimately take a view contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. If the PRC government otherwise find that we are in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations or lack the necessary permits or licenses to operate our business, the relevant governmental authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such violation, including, without limitation:
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Any of these events could cause significant disruption to our business operations and severely damage our reputation, which would in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If occurrences of any of these events results in our inability to direct the activities of our VIE in China that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits and residual returns from our consolidated variable interest entity, and we are not able to restructure our ownership structure and operations in a satisfactory manner, we may not be able to consolidate the financial results of our VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.
We have to rely on the contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders to operate the business in areas where foreign ownership is restricted, including provision of certain value-added telecommunication services. These contractual arrangements, however, may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our VIE. For example, our VIE and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct the operations of our VIE in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests.
If we had direct ownership of our VIE in China, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of our VIE, which in turn could implement changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the current contractual arrangements, we rely on the performance by our VIE and its shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over our VIE. The shareholders of our VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts. If any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law and arbitration, litigation and other legal proceedings and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See " Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business."
Any failure by our VIE or its shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would have a material and adverse effect on our business.
If our VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies under PRC law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and contractual remedies, which we cannot assure you will be sufficient or effective under PRC law. For example, if the shareholders of our VIE were to refuse to transfer their equity interests in our VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations. In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholders' equity interests in our VIE, our ability to exercise shareholders' rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other disputes between the shareholders of our VIE and third parties were to impair our control over our VIE, our ability to consolidate the financial results of our VIE would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.
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All the agreements under our contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in China. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal system in the PRC is not as developed as in some other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. See " Risks Relating to Doing Business in China Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us." Meanwhile, there are very few precedents and little formal guidance as to how contractual arrangements in the context of a consolidated variable interest entity should be interpreted or enforced under PRC law. There remain significant uncertainties regarding the ultimate outcome of such arbitration should legal action become necessary. In addition, under PRC law, rulings by arbitrators are final, parties cannot appeal the arbitration results in courts, and if the losing parties fail to carry out the arbitration awards within a prescribed time limit, the prevailing parties may only enforce the arbitration awards in PRC courts through arbitration award recognition proceedings, which would require additional expenses and delay. In the event we are unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, or if we suffer significant delay or other obstacles in the process of enforcing these contractual arrangements, we may not be able to exert effective control over our VIE, and our ability to conduct our business may be negatively affected.
The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us.
The shareholders of our VIE may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with us. These shareholders may breach, or cause our VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements we have with them and our VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on our ability to effectively control our VIE and receive economic benefits from it. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause our agreements with our VIE to be performed in a manner adverse to us by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to us on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act in the best interests of our company or such conflicts will be resolved in our favor.
Currently, we do not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and our company, except that we could exercise our purchase option under the exclusive call option agreements with these shareholders to request them to transfer all of their equity interests in the VIE to a PRC entity or individual designated by us, to the extent permitted by PRC law. For individuals who are also our directors and officers, we rely on them to abide by the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that directors and officers owe a fiduciary duty to the company that requires them to act in good faith and in what they believe to be the best interests of the company and not to use their position for personal gains. The shareholders of our VIE have executed powers of attorney to appoint Zhixiang WFOE to vote on their behalf and exercise voting rights as shareholders of our VIE. If we cannot resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between us and the shareholders of our VIE, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of our business and subject us to substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
The shareholders of our VIE may be involved in personal disputes with third parties or other incidents that may have an adverse effect on their respective equity interests in our VIE and the validity or enforceability of our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders. For example, in the event that any of the shareholders of our VIE divorces his or her spouse, the spouse may claim that the equity interest of the VIE held by such shareholder is part of their community property and should be divided between such shareholder and his or her spouse. If
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such claim is supported by the court, the relevant equity interest may be obtained by the shareholder's spouse or another third party who is not subject to obligations under our contractual arrangements, which could result in a loss of the effective control over the VIE by us. Despite that we have received a consent letter from the spouse of an individual nominee shareholder of our VIE where such spouse undertakes that he or she would not take any actions to interfere with the contractual arrangements through which we control our VIE, including by claiming that the equity interest of our VIE held by such shareholder is part of his or her marital or community property, we cannot assure you that these undertakings will be complied with or effectively enforced. In the event that any of them is breached or becomes unenforceable, leading to legal proceedings, our business could be disrupted, our management's attention could be distracted and we could be subject to substantial uncertainties as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings. Similarly, although we have clauses in the contractual arrangements providing that the agreements shall have binding effects on permitted assignees and successors, if any of the equity interests of our VIE is inherited by a third party with whom the current contractual arrangements are not binding, we could lose our control over the VIE or have to maintain such control by incurring unpredictable costs, which could cause significant disruption to our business and operations and harm our financial condition and results of operations.
Although under our current contractual arrangements, the VIE and its shareholders shall not assign any of their respective rights or obligations to any third party without the prior written consent of Zhixiang WFOE, we cannot assure you that these undertakings and arrangements will be complied with or effectively enforced. In the case any of them is breached or becomes unenforceable and leads to legal proceedings, it could disrupt our business, distract our management's attention and subject us to substantial uncertainties as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE may be subject to scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities and they may determine that we or our VIE owes additional taxes, which could negatively affect our financial condition and the value of your investment.
Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or challenge by the PRC tax authorities. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that the contractual arrangements in relation to our VIE were not entered into on an arm's length basis in such a way as to result in an impermissible reduction in taxes under applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and adjust income of our VIE in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could, among other things, result in a reduction of expense deductions recorded by our VIE for PRC tax purposes, which could in turn increase its tax liabilities without reducing our PRC subsidiaries' tax expenses. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose late payment fees and other penalties on our VIE for the adjusted but unpaid taxes according to the applicable regulations. Our financial position could be materially and adversely affected if our VIE's tax liabilities increase or if it is required to pay late payment fees and other penalties.
Our current corporate structure and business operations may be substantially affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law.
On March 15, 2019, the National People's Congress promulgated the Foreign Investment Law, which took effect on January 1, 2020. Since it is relatively new, substantial uncertainties exist in relation to its interpretation and implementation. The Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify whether variable interest entities that are controlled through contractual arrangements would be deemed as foreign invested enterprises if they are ultimately "controlled" by foreign investors. However, it has a catch-all provision under definition of "foreign investment" that includes
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investments made by foreign investors in China through other means as provided by laws, administrative regulations or other methods prescribed by the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions of the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment, at which time it will be uncertain whether our contractual arrangements will be deemed to be in violation of the market access requirements for foreign investment in the PRC and if yes, how our contractual arrangements should be dealt with.
The Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that operate in industries specified as either "restricted" or "prohibited" from foreign investment in the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, and took effect in July 2020. The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested entities operating in "restricted" or "prohibited" industries are required to obtain market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC government authorities. If our control over our VIE through contractual arrangements are deemed as foreign investment in the future, and any business of our VIE is "restricted" or "prohibited" from foreign investment under the "negative list" effective at the time, we may be deemed to be in violation of the Foreign Investment Law, the contractual arrangements that allow us to have control over our VIE may be deemed as invalid and illegal, and we may be required to unwind such contractual arrangements and/or restructure our business operations, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business operation.
Furthermore, if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely affect our current corporate structure and business operations.
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by our VIE that are critical to the operation of our business if our VIE declares bankruptcy or become subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
Our VIE holds certain assets that may be critical to the operation of our business. If the shareholders of our VIE breach the contractual arrangements and voluntarily liquidate the VIE, or if our VIE declares bankruptcy and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors or are otherwise disposed of without our consent, we may be unable to continue some or all of our business activities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if our VIE undergoes an involuntary liquidation proceeding, third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of its assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our business, which could materially or adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Doing Business in China
Changes in China's economic, political or social conditions or government policies could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
All of our operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.
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The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over China's economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decades, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The retail and consumer industry is highly sensitive to general economic changes. Any adverse changes in economic conditions in China, in the policies of the Chinese government or in the laws and regulations in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China. Such developments could adversely affect our business and operating results, lead to a reduction in demand for our services and adversely affect our competitive position. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. The growth rate of the Chinese economy has gradually slowed since 2010, and the impact of COVID-19 on the global and Chinese economy in 2020 is severe. Any prolonged slowdown in the global and Chinese economy may reduce the demand for our products and services and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. The PRC legal system is evolving rapidly, and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules may contain inconsistencies and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
Our PRC subsidiaries are foreign-invested enterprises and are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign-invested enterprises as well as various Chinese laws and regulations generally applicable to companies incorporated in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and court proceedings and the level of protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of any of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources
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and management attention. Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China could materially and adversely affect our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
Litigation and negative publicity surrounding China-based companies listed in the U.S. may result in increased regulatory scrutiny of us and negatively impact the trading price of the ADSs and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, including our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.
We believe that litigation and negative publicity surrounding companies with operations in China that are listed in the U.S. have negatively impacted stock prices for such companies. Various equity-based research organizations have published reports on China-based companies after examining, among other things, their corporate governance practices, related party transactions, sales practices and financial statements that have led to special investigations and stock suspensions on national exchanges. Any similar scrutiny of us, regardless of its lack of merit, could result in a diversion of management resources and energy, potential costs to defend ourselves against rumors, decreases and volatility in the ADS trading price, and increased directors and officers insurance premiums and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, including our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.
Our ADSs may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, is unable to inspect auditors who are located in China. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections deprives our investors with the benefits of such inspections.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, was enacted on December 18, 2020. The HFCAA states if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter trading market in the U.S.
Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included elsewhere in this prospectus, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditor is currently not inspected by the PCAOB.
The SEC has not yet proposed rules relating to the implementation of the HFCAA. There could be additional regulatory or legislative requirements or guidance that could impact us if our auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspection. For example, on August 6, 2020, the President's Working Group on Financial Markets, or the PWG, issued the Report on Protecting United States Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies to the then President of the United States. This report recommended the SEC implement five recommendations to address companies from jurisdictions that do not provide the PCAOB with sufficient access to fulfil its statutory mandate. Some of the concepts of these recommendations were implemented with the enactment of the HFCAA. However, some of the recommendations were more stringent than the HFCAA. For example, if a company was not subject to PCAOB inspection, the report recommended that the transition period before a company would be delisted would end on January 1, 2022.
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The SEC has announced that the SEC staff is preparing a consolidated proposal for the rules regarding the implementation of the HFCAA to address the recommendations in the PWG report. It is unclear when the SEC will complete its rulemaking and when such rules will become effective and what, if any, of the PWG recommendations will be adopted. The implications of this possible regulation in addition to the requirements of the HFCAA are uncertain. Such uncertainty could cause the market price of our ADSs to be materially and adversely affected, and our securities could be delisted or prohibited from being traded "over-the-counter" earlier than would be required by the HFCAA. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange by then, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ADSs.
The PCAOB's inability to conduct inspections in China prevents it from fully evaluating the audits and quality control procedures of our independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, we and investors in our ordinary shares are deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm's audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the PCAOB in the PRC or by the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States. The PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.
We may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company, and we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated after-tax profits upon satisfaction of relevant statutory conditions and procedures, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its net profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of its registered capital. For a detailed discussion of applicable PRC regulations governing distribution of dividends, see "Regulation Regulations Relating to Dividend Distributions." Additionally, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
Our PRC subsidiaries generate primarily all of their revenues in Renminbi, which is not freely convertible into other currencies. As a result, any restriction on currency exchange may limit the
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ability of our PRC subsidiaries to use their Renminbi revenues to pay dividends to us. The PRC government may strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries' dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
In addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax at a rate of 10% will be applicable to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless reduced under treaties or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises are tax resident. See " If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders."
Increases in labor costs and enforcement of stricter labor laws and regulations in China may adversely affect our business and our profitability.
China's overall economy and the average wage in China have increased in recent years and are expected to continue to grow. The average wage level for our employees has also increased in recent years. We expect that our labor costs, including wages and employee benefits, will continue to increase. Unless we are able to pass on these increased labor costs to those who pay for our services, our profitability and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we have been subject to stricter regulatory requirements in terms of entering into labor contracts with our employees and paying various statutory employee benefits, including pensions, housing fund, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to designated government agencies for the benefit of our employees. Pursuant to the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules, employers are subject to stricter requirements in terms of signing labor contracts, minimum wages, paying remuneration, determining the term of employee's probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the PRC Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules may limit our ability to effect those changes in a desirable or cost-effective manner, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In October 2010, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress promulgated the PRC Social Insurance Law, effective on July 1, 2011 and amended on December 29, 2018. On April 3, 1999, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds, which was amended on March 24, 2002 and March 24, 2019. Companies registered and operating in China are required under the Social Insurance Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Funds to apply for social insurance registration and housing fund deposit registration within 30 days of their establishment and to pay for their employees different social insurance including pension insurance, medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance to the extent required by law. We could be subject to orders by the competent labor authorities for rectification and failure to comply with the orders may further subject us to administrative fines.
As the interpretation and implementation of labor-related laws and regulations are still evolving, we cannot assure you that our employment practices do not and will not violate labor-related laws and regulations in China, which may subject us to labor disputes or government investigations. We cannot assure you that we have complied or will be able to comply with all labor-related laws and regulations including those relating to obligations to make social insurance
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payments and contribute to the housing provident funds. If we are deemed to have violated relevant labor laws and regulations, we could be involved in labor-law related disputes, required to provide additional compensation to our employees and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
The conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, is based on rates set by the People's Bank of China. The Renminbi has fluctuated against the U.S. dollar, at times significantly and unpredictably. The value of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies is affected by changes in China's political and economic conditions and by China's foreign exchange policies, among other things. We cannot assure you that Renminbi will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the future. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future.
Any significant appreciation or depreciation of Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive into Renminbi to pay our operating expenses, appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, a significant depreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings, which in turn could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Very limited hedging options are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited and we may not be able to adequately hedge our exposure or at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
We are an offshore holding company conducting our operations in China through our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE. We may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE subject to the approval from or registration with governmental authorities and limitation on amount, or we may make additional capital contributions to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China. Any loans to our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China, which are treated as foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, under PRC law, are subject to applicable foreign exchange loan registrations. In addition, an FIE shall use its capital pursuant to the principle of authenticity and self-use within its business scope. The capital of an FIE shall not be used for the following purposes: (i) directly or indirectly used for payment beyond the business scope of such FIE or the payment prohibited by relevant laws and regulations; (ii) directly or indirectly used for investment in securities or investments in financial management other than banks' principal-secured products unless otherwise provided by relevant laws and regulations; (iii) the granting of loans to non-affiliated enterprises, except where it
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is expressly permitted in the business license; and (iv) paying the expenses related to the purchase of real estate that is not for self-use (except for the foreign-invested real estate enterprises).
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, effective June 2015, in replacement of a former regulation. According to SAFE Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although SAFE Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within China, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether SAFE will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in China in actual practice. SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or SAFE Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in SAFE Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to issue loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency we hold, including the net proceeds from this offering, to our PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in China. On October 23, 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Convenience of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine, does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry this out in practice.
In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, or at all, with respect to future loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries or our VIE or with respect to future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds from our initial public offering and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current corporate structure, our company in the Cayman Islands may rely on dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, such as profit distributions and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can
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be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. Therefore, our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China are able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to us without prior approval from SAFE, subject to the condition that the remittance of such dividends outside of the PRC complies with certain procedures under PRC foreign exchange regulation, such as the overseas investment registrations by our shareholders or the ultimate shareholders of our corporate shareholders who are PRC residents. But approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities or delegated banks is required where RMB is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.
PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to increase their registered capital or distribute profits to us or otherwise expose us or our PRC resident beneficial owners to liability and penalties under PRC law.
In July 2014, SAFE promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Control on Domestic Residents' Offshore Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 37. SAFE Circular 37 requires PRC residents (including PRC individuals and PRC corporate entities as well as foreign individuals that are deemed as PRC residents for foreign exchange administration purposes) to register with SAFE or its local branches in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. SAFE Circular 37 further requires amendment to the SAFE registrations in the event of any changes with respect to the basic information of the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as change of a PRC individual shareholder, name and operation term, or any significant changes with respect to the offshore special purpose vehicle, such as increase or decrease of capital contribution, share transfer or exchange, or mergers or divisions. SAFE Circular 37 is applicable to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may be applicable to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future. According to the Notice on Further Simplifying and Improving Policies for the Foreign Exchange Administration of Direct Investment released on February 13, 2015 by the SAFE, qualified local banks will examine and handle foreign exchange registration for overseas direct investment, including the initial foreign exchange registration and amendment registration, under SAFE Circular 37 from June 1, 2015. The PRC residents shall, by themselves or entrusting accounting firms or banks, file with the online information system designated by SAFE with respect to its existing rights under offshore direct investment each year prior to the requisite time.
If our shareholders who are PRC residents or entities do not complete their registration or change of the registration with the local SAFE branches or qualified local banks or complete annual filing of its existing rights under offshore direct investment, our PRC subsidiaries may be prohibited from distributing to us its profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
We have used our best efforts to notify PRC residents or entities who directly or indirectly hold shares in our Cayman Islands holding company and who are known to us as being PRC residents or entities to timely complete the foreign exchange registrations and the relevant changes and annual filings of its existing rights under offshore direct investment. However, we may not be informed of the identities of all the PRC residents or entities holding direct or indirect interest in our company, nor can we compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE registration requirements.
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We cannot assure you that all shareholders or beneficial owners of ours who are PRC residents or entities have complied with, and will in the future make, obtain or update any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE regulations.
The failure or inability of such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE regulations, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiaries, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries' ability to make distributions or pay dividends to us or affect our ownership structure. As a result, our business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected.
China's M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for certain acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
A number of PRC laws and regulations have established procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time consuming and complex. These include the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006, which was amended in 2009, and the Rules of the Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the Security Review Rules, promulgated in 2011. These laws and regulations impose requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China ("MOFCOM") be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise. In addition, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. Moreover, the Security Review Rules specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise "national defense and security" concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise "national security" concerns are subject to strict review by MOFCOM, and prohibit any attempt to bypass a security review, including by structuring the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement. In the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the relevant regulations to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission may be required in connection with this offering, and, if required, we cannot predict whether we will be able to obtain such approval.
The M&A Rules requires overseas special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or individuals formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies using shares of such special purpose vehicles or held by their shareholders as considerations to obtain the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle's securities on an overseas stock exchange. However, the application of the M&A Rules remains unclear. If CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether it would be possible for us to obtain the approval. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies.
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Our PRC legal counsel has advised us based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, regulations and rules that the CSRC's approval may not be required for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market in the context of this offering, given that: (i) the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule or interpretation concerning whether offerings like ours in this prospectus are subject to the M&A Rules, (ii) our WFOEs were incorporated as wholly foreign-owned enterprises by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition of equity interest or assets of a PRC domestic company owned by PRC companies or individuals as defined under the M&A Rules that are our company's beneficial owners after the effective date of the M&A Rules, and (iii) no explicit provision in the M&A Rules clearly classifies contractual arrangements as a type of acquisition transaction subject to the M&A Rules.
However, our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that there remains some uncertainty as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, regulations and rules or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules. We cannot assure you that relevant PRC government agencies, including the CSRC, would reach the same conclusion as our PRC legal counsel does. If it is determined that CSRC approval is required for this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies for failure to obtain or delay in obtaining CSRC approval for this offering. These sanctions may include fines and penalties on our operations in China, limitations on our operating privileges in China, delays in or restrictions on the repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, restrictions on or prohibition of the payments or remittance of dividends by our subsidiaries in China, or other actions that could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before the settlement and delivery of the ADSs that we are offering. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to the settlement and delivery of the ADSs we are offering, you would be doing so at the risk that the settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory agencies later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals for this offering, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver.
Any failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock incentive plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.
Pursuant to the Notice on Issues Concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Publicly Listed Company, issued by SAFE in February 2012, employees, directors, supervisors and other senior management participating in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company who are PRC citizens or who are non-PRC citizens residing in China for a continuous period of not less than one year, subject to a few exceptions, are required to register with SAFE through a domestic qualified agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company, and complete certain other procedures. We and our directors, executive officers and other ìemployees who are PRC citizens or non-PRC citizens who reside in the PRC for a continuous period of not less than one year and who have been granted share-based awards are subject to these regulations. Failure to complete the SAFE registrations may subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our wholly foreign-owned subsidiaries in China and limit these subsidiaries' ability to distribute dividends to us. We also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt additional incentive plans for our directors and employees under PRC law.
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In addition, the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT has issued certain circulars concerning employee share options and restricted shares. Under these circulars, our employees working in China who exercise share options or are granted restricted shares will be subject to PRC individual income tax. Our PRC subsidiaries have obligations to file documents related to employee share options or restricted shares with relevant tax authorities and to withhold individual income taxes of those employees who exercise their share options. If our employees fail to pay or we fail to withhold their income taxes according to relevant laws and regulations, we may face sanctions imposed by the tax authorities or other PRC government authorities.
If we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise for PRC income tax purposes, such classification could result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders.
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with a "de facto management body" within the PRC is considered a PRC resident enterprise. The implementation rules define the term "de facto management body" as the body that exercises full and substantial control over and overall management of the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. In 2009, the SAT issued a circular, known as Circular 82, which provides certain specific criteria for determining whether the "de facto management body" of a PRC-controlled enterprise that is incorporated offshore is located in China. Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises or PRC enterprise groups, not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners like us, the criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the SAT's general position on how the "de facto management body" test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of all offshore enterprises. According to Circular 82, an offshore incorporated enterprise controlled by a PRC enterprise or a PRC enterprise group will be regarded as a PRC tax resident by virtue of having its "de facto management body" in China and will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax on its global income only if all of the following conditions are met: (i) the primary location of the day-to-day operational management is in the PRC; (ii) decisions relating to the enterprise's financial and human resource matters are made or are subject to approval by organizations or personnel in the PRC; (iii) the enterprise's primary assets, accounting books and records, company seals, and board and shareholder resolutions, are located or maintained in the PRC; and (iv) at least 50% of voting board members or senior executives habitually reside in the PRC.
We believe that none of our entities outside of China is a PRC resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes. However, the tax resident status of an enterprise is subject to determination by the PRC tax authorities and uncertainties remain with respect to the interpretation of the term "de facto management body." If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a PRC resident enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes, we will be subject to the enterprise income tax on our global income at the rate of 25% and we will be required to comply with PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In addition, gains realized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or our ordinary shares may be subject to PRC tax, at a rate of 10% in the case of non-PRC enterprises or 20% in the case of non-PRC individuals (in each case, subject to the provisions of any applicable tax treaty), if such gains are deemed to be from PRC sources. It is unclear whether non-PRC shareholders of our company would be able to claim the benefits of any tax treaties between their country of tax residence and the PRC in the event that we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise. Any such tax may reduce the returns on your investment in the ADSs.
In addition to the uncertainty as to the application of the "resident enterprise" classification, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not amend or revise the taxation laws, rules and regulations to impose stricter tax requirements or higher tax rates. Any of such changes could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
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We may not be able to obtain certain benefits under relevant tax treaty on dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to us through our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and as such rely on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC subsidiaries to satisfy part of our liquidity requirements. Pursuant to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a withholding tax rate of 10% currently applies to dividends paid by a PRC "resident enterprise" to a foreign enterprise investor, unless any such foreign investor's jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for preferential tax treatment. Pursuant to the Arrangement between the Mainland of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income, such withholding tax rate may be lowered to 5% if a Hong Kong resident enterprise owns no less than 25% of a PRC enterprise. According to the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues concerning the "Beneficial Owner" in Tax Treaties, which became effective in April 2018, whether a resident enterprise is a "beneficial owner" that can apply for a low tax rate under tax treaties depends on an overall assessment of several factors, which may bring uncertainties to the applicability of preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties. Furthermore, the Administrative Measures for Non-Resident Enterprises to Enjoy Treatments under Treaties, which became effective in January 2020, requires non-resident enterprises to determine whether they are qualified to enjoy the preferential tax treatment under the tax treaties and file relevant report and materials with the tax authorities. There are also other conditions for enjoying the reduced withholding tax rate according to other relevant tax rules and regulations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Taxation." In the future we intend to re-invest all earnings, if any, generated from our PRC subsidiaries for the operation and expansion of our business in China. Should our tax policy change to allow for offshore distribution of our earnings, we would be subject to a significant withholding tax. We cannot assure you that our determination regarding our qualification to enjoy the preferential tax treatment will not be challenged by the relevant tax authority or we will be able to complete the necessary filings with the relevant tax authority and enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% under the arrangement with respect to dividends to be paid by our PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong subsidiary.
We face uncertainty with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.
In February 2015, SAT issued the Public Notice Regarding Certain Enterprise Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-Resident Enterprises, or SAT Public Notice 7. SAT Public Notice 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to not only indirect transfers but also transactions involving transfer of other taxable assets, through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. In addition, SAT Public Notice 7 provides certain criteria on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and has introduced safe harbors for internal group restructurings and the purchase and sale of equity through a public securities market. SAT Public Notice 7 also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee (or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer) of the taxable assets. Where a non-resident enterprise conducts an "indirect transfer" by transferring the taxable assets indirectly by disposing of the equity interests of an overseas holding company, the non-resident enterprise being the transferor, or the transferee, or the PRC entity which directly owned the taxable assets may report to the relevant tax authority such indirect transfer. Using a "substance over form" principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax, and the transferee or other person who is obligated to pay for the transfer is obligated to withhold the applicable taxes, currently at a rate of 10% for the transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise. On
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October 17, 2017, SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or SAT Bulletin 37, which came into effect on December 1, 2017 and was revised on June 15, 2018. The SAT Bulletin 37 further clarifies the practice and procedure of the withholding of nonresident enterprise income tax.
We face uncertainties on the reporting and consequences of future private equity financing transactions, share exchanges or other transactions involving the transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises. The PRC tax authorities may pursue such non-resident enterprises with respect to a filing or the transferees with respect to withholding obligation, and request our PRC subsidiaries to assist in the filing. As a result, we and non-resident enterprises in such transactions may become at risk of being subject to filing obligations or being taxed under SAT Public Notice 7 and SAT Bulletin 37, and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with them or to establish that we and our non-resident enterprises should not be taxed under these regulations, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If the custodians or authorized users of controlling non-tangible assets of our company, including our corporate chops and seals, fail to fulfill their responsibilities, or misappropriate or misuse these assets, our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Under PRC law, legal documents for corporate transactions are executed using the chops or seal of the signing entity or with the signature of a legal representative whose designation is registered and filed with the relevant branch of the Administration of Industry and Commerce. Although we usually utilize chops to enter into contracts, the designated legal representatives of each of our PRC subsidiaries have the apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of such entities without chops and bind such entities. All designated legal representatives of our PRC subsidiaries, are members of our senior management team who have signed employment agreements with us or our PRC subsidiaries under which they agree to abide by various duties they owe to us. In order to maintain the physical security of our chops and chops of our PRC entities, we generally store these items in secured locations accessible only by the authorized personnel in the legal or finance or other functional departments of each of our subsidiaries. Although we monitor such authorized personnel, there is no assurance such procedures will prevent all instances of abuse or negligence. Accordingly, if any of our authorized personnel misuse or misappropriate our corporate chops or seals, we could encounter difficulties in maintaining control over the relevant entities and experience significant disruption to our operations. If a designated legal representative obtains control of the chops in an effort to obtain control over any of our PRC subsidiaries, we or our PRC subsidiaries would need to pass a new shareholder or board resolution to designate a new legal representative and we would need to take legal action to seek the return of the chops, apply for new chops with the relevant authorities, or otherwise seek legal redress for the violation of the representative's fiduciary duties to us, which could involve significant time and resources and divert management attention away from our regular business. In addition, the affected entity may not be able to recover corporate assets that are sold or transferred out of our control in the event of such a misappropriation if a transferee relies on the apparent authority of the representative and acts in good faith.
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If additional remedial measures are imposed on the "big four" PRC-based accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging such firms' failure to meet specific criteria set by the SEC with respect to requests for the production of documents, we could fail to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
Starting in 2011 the Chinese affiliates of the "big four" accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, were affected by a conflict between U.S. and Chinese law. Specifically, for certain U.S.-listed companies operating and audited in mainland China, the SEC and the PCAOB sought to obtain from the Chinese firms access to their audit work papers and related documents. The firms were, however, advised and directed that under Chinese law, they could not respond directly to the U.S. regulators on those requests, and that requests by foreign regulators for access to such papers in China had to be channeled through the CSRC.
In late 2012, this impasse led the SEC to commence administrative proceedings under Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice and also under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 against the Chinese accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm. A first instance trial of the proceedings in July 2013 in the SEC's internal administrative court resulted in an adverse judgment against the firms. The administrative law judge proposed penalties on the firms including a temporary suspension of their right to practice before the SEC, although that proposed penalty did not take effect pending review by the Commissioners of the SEC. On February 6, 2015, before a review by the Commissioner had taken place, the firms reached a settlement with the SEC. Under the settlement, the SEC accepts that future requests by the SEC for the production of documents will normally be made to the CSRC. The firms will receive matching Section 106 requests, and are required to abide by a detailed set of procedures with respect to such requests, which in substance require them to facilitate production via the CSRC. If they fail to meet specified criteria, the SEC retains authority to impose a variety of additional remedial measures on the firms depending on the nature of the failure. Remedies for any future noncompliance could include, as appropriate, an automatic six-month bar on a single firm's performance of certain audit work, commencement of a new proceeding against a firm, or, in extreme cases, the resumption of the current proceeding against all four firms. If additional remedial measures are imposed on the Chinese affiliates of the "big four" accounting firms, including our independent registered public accounting firm, in administrative proceedings brought by the SEC alleging the firms' failure to meet specific criteria set by the SEC with respect to requests for the production of documents, we could be unable to timely file future financial statements in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
In the event that the SEC restarts the administrative proceedings, depending upon the final outcome, listed companies in the United States with major PRC operations may find it difficult or impossible to retain auditors in respect of their operations in the PRC, which could result in financial statements being determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, including possible delisting. Moreover, any negative news about any such future proceedings against these audit firms may cause investor uncertainty regarding China-based, U.S.-listed companies and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.
If our independent registered public accounting firm was denied, even temporarily, the ability to practice before the SEC and we were unable to timely find another registered public accounting firm to audit and issue an opinion on our financial statements, our financial statements could be determined not to be in compliance with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Such a determination could ultimately lead to the delisting of our ADSs from the Nasdaq Global Market or deregistration from the SEC, or both, which would substantially reduce or effectively terminate the trading of the ADSs in the United States.
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Risks Relating to Our ADSs and This Offering
There has been no public market for our shares or ADSs prior to this offering, and you may not be able to resell our ADSs at or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this initial public offering, there has been no public market for our shares or ADSs. We will apply to list our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market. Our shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system. If an active trading market for our ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ADSs will be materially and adversely affected.
Negotiations with the underwriters will determine the initial public offering price for our ADSs which may bear no relationship to their market price after the initial public offering. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our ADSs will develop or that the market price of our ADSs will not decline below the initial public offering price.
The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.
The trading price of the ADSs is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States. The securities of some of these companies, including consumer tech companies, have experienced significant volatility since their initial public offerings, including, in some cases, substantial price declines in their trading prices. The trading performances of other Chinese companies' securities after their offerings may affect the attitudes of investors toward Chinese companies listed in the United States in general and consequently may impact the trading performance of the ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance.
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for the ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:
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Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ADSs will trade. Furthermore, the stock market in general experiences price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies like us. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our ADSs. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in our ADS price may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, most of whom have been granted equity incentives.
In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our proposed dual-class voting structure will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
Our authorized share capital will be divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering (with certain shares remaining undesignated, with power for our directors to designate and issue such classes of shares as they think fit). Holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes per share. We will issue Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering. Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof, while Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. After this offering, the holder of Class B ordinary shares will have the ability to control matters requiring shareholders' approval, including any amendment of our memorandum and articles of association. Any future issuances of Class B ordinary shares may be dilutive to the voting power of holders of Class A ordinary shares. Any conversions of Class B ordinary shares into Class A ordinary shares may dilute the percentage ownership of the existing holders of Class A ordinary shares within their class of ordinary shares. Such conversions may increase the aggregate voting power of the existing holders of Class A ordinary shares. In the event that we have multiple holders of Class B ordinary shares in the future and certain of them convert their Class B ordinary shares into Class A ordinary shares, the remaining holders who retain their Class B ordinary shares may experience increases in their relative voting power.
Upon the completion of this offering, Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, our chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Peifeng Xu, our chief operating officer, and Mr. Victor Yaoyu Zhang, our chief marketing officer, will beneficially own all of our issued Class B ordinary shares. These Class B ordinary shares will constitute % of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering and % of the aggregate voting power of our total issued and outstanding share capital immediately after the completion of this offering due to
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the disparate voting powers associated with our dual-class share structure, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs. As a result of the dual-class share structure and the concentration of ownership, holders of Class B ordinary shares will have considerable influence over matters such as decisions regarding mergers and consolidations, election of directors and other significant corporate actions. Such holders may take actions that are not in the best interest of us or our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could have the effect of depriving our other shareholders of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and may reduce the price of our ADSs. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.
The dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may adversely affect the trading market for our ADSs.
Certain shareholder advisory firms have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500, to exclude companies with multiple classes of shares and companies whose public shareholders hold no more than 5% of total voting power from being added to such indices. In addition, several shareholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of multiple class structures. As a result, the dual-class structure of our ordinary shares may prevent the inclusion of our ADSs representing Class A ordinary shares in such indices and may cause shareholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less active trading market for our ADSs. Any actions or publications by shareholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our ADSs.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding the ADSs, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our ADSs will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.
We currently do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future after this offering and you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings after this offering to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.
Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either
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profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value after this offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.
Because our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.
If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for your ADSs than the amount paid by our existing shareholders for their ordinary shares on a per ADS basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of approximately US$ per ADS, representing the difference between the initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, the midpoint of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, and our net tangible book value per ADS as of December 31, 2020, after giving effect to the net proceeds we receive from this offering. See "Dilution" for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in the ADSs will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.
Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the ADSs.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller's interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.
Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.
It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable state law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming, and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us
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could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in the ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of the ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price of the ADSs. Upon the completion of this offering, we will have ordinary shares issued and outstanding, among which ordinary shares are in the form of ADSs, which are freely transferable without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act. The remaining ordinary shares outstanding will be available for sale, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act. Certain holders of our ordinary shares may cause us to register under the Securities Act the sale of their shares, subject to the applicable lock-up period. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in ADSs representing these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Sales of these registered shares in the form of ADSs in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Because the amount, timing, and whether or not we distribute dividends at all is entirely at the discretion of our board of directors, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.
Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that the ADSs will appreciate in value after our initial public offering or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs, and you may even lose your entire investment in the ADSs.
There can be no assurance that we will not be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, which could subject United States investors in our ADSs or ordinary shares to significant adverse United States income tax consequences.
A non-U.S. corporation, such as our company, will be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of "passive" income (the "income test"); or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (generally determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive
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income (the "asset test"). Although the law in this regard is not entirely clear, we treat our VIE as being owned by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes because we control their management decisions and are entitled to substantially all of the economic benefits associated with them. As a result, we consolidate their results of operations in our consolidated U.S. GAAP financial statements. If it were determined, however, that we are not the owner of our VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year and any subsequent taxable year. Assuming that we are the owner of our VIE for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and based on the current and anticipated value of our assets and composition of our income and assets (taking into account the expected cash proceeds from, and our anticipated market capitalization following, this offering), we do not presently expect to be a PFIC for the current taxable year or the foreseeable future.
However, while we do not expect to be or become a PFIC, no assurance can be given in this regard because the determination of whether we are or will become a PFIC for any taxable year is a fact-intensive inquiry made annually that depends, in part, upon the composition of our income and assets. Fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to be or become a PFIC for the current or subsequent taxable years because the value of our assets for the purpose of the asset test, including the value of our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles, may be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs from time to time (which may be volatile). The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets and the cash raised in this offering.
If we were to be or become a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder (as defined in "Taxation United States Federal Income Tax Considerations") holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. Holder. See "Taxation United States Federal Income Tax Considerations Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."
Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association contain certain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions, including a provision that grants authority to our board of directors to establish and issue from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transactions.
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Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association and the deposit agreement provide that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a particular dispute, the state courts in New York County, New York) is the exclusive judicial forum within the U.S. for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising out of or relating in any way to the federal securities laws of the United States, and any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating in any way to the ADSs or the deposit agreement, which could limit the ability of holders of our ordinary shares, the ADSs or other securities to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us, our directors and officers, the depositary, and potentially others.
Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a particular dispute, the state courts in New York County, New York) is the exclusive forum within the United States for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising out of or relating in any way to the federal securities laws of the United States, regardless of whether such legal suit, action, or proceeding also involves parties other than our company. The deposit agreement provides that the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a particular dispute, the state courts in New York County, New York) shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any suit, action or proceeding against or involving us or the depositary, arising out of or relating in any way to the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of owning the ADSs. The enforceability of similar federal court choice of forum provisions in other companies' organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings in the United States, and it is possible that a court could find this type of provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable. If a court were to find the federal choice of forum provision contained in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association or the deposit agreement to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions. If upheld, the forum selection clause in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, as well as the forum selection provision in the deposit agreement, may limit a security-holder's ability to bring a claim against us, our directors and officers, the depositary, and potentially others in his or her preferred judicial forum, and this limitation may discourage such lawsuits. The exclusive forum provision in our post-offering memorandum and articles of association will not operate so as to deprive the courts of the Cayman Islands from having jurisdiction over matters relating to our internal affairs. Holders of our shares or the ADSs will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder pursuant to the exclusive forum provision in the post-offering memorandum and articles of association and deposit agreement. In addition, the forum selection provision of the deposit agreement does not affect the right of an ADS holder or the depositary to require any claim against us, including a federal securities law claim, to be submitted to arbitration or to commence an action in any court in aid of that arbitration provision or to enter judgment upon or enforce any arbitration award.
You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Act") and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors owed to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the
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Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors owed to us under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have the standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than copies of the memorandum and articles of association, the register of mortgages and charges and any special resolutions passed by shareholders) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.
As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of our board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see "Description of Share Capital Our Post-Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association Differences in Corporate Law."
You may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing actions in China against us or our management named in the prospectus based on foreign laws.
We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. However, we conduct all of our operations in China and most of our assets are located in China. In addition, all of our directors and senior executive officers reside within China for a significant portion of the time and most are PRC nationals. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process upon us or our management residing in China. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts of the judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state.
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other forms of written arrangement with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, the PRC courts will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC laws or
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national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.
It may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.
Shareholder claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory investigations or litigation initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration, such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or Article 177, which became effective in March 2020, no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase difficulties faced by you in protecting your interests. See also " Risks Relating to Our ADSs and This Offering You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law." for risks associated with investing in us as a Cayman Islands company.
[You may experience dilution of your holdings due to inability to participate in rights offerings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. However, we cannot make such rights available to you in the United States unless we register both the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.]
[You may not receive cash dividends if the depositary decides it is impractical to make them available to you.
The depositary will pay cash dividends on the ADSs only to the extent that we decide to distribute dividends on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities, and we do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. To the extent that there is a distribution, the depositary with respect to the ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property to you.]
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We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.
We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds of this offering, and our management will have considerable discretion in deciding how to apply these proceeds. You will not have the opportunity to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately before you make your investment decision. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. Our management has discretion over the use of proceeds we receive from this offering, and we could spend the proceeds we receive from this offering in ways our ADS holders may not agree with or that do not yield a favorable return, or no return at all. Our actual use of these proceeds may differ substantially from our plans, if any, in the future. We cannot assure you that the net proceeds will be used in a manner that would improve our results of operations or increase our ADS price, nor that these net proceeds will be placed only in investments that generate income or appreciate in value.
[You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of the ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.]
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an "emerging growth company."
We have become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Market, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly.
As a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
In addition, after we are no longer an "emerging growth company", we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC.
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We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:
We will be required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we intend to publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Global Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.
We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenues for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" pursuant to the JOBS Act. Therefore, we may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company's internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such reporting and other requirements, in particular the auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.
The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
We cannot predict if investors will find our ADSs less attractive or our company less comparable to certain other public companies because we may rely on these exemptions and elections. If some investors find our ADSs less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our ADSs and our ADS price may be more volatile.
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As an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from the Nasdaq listing standards; these practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with such corporate governance listing standards.
After we are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, we will be subject to the Nasdaq Stock Market's corporate governance listing standards. However, Nasdaq Stock Market's rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from the Nasdaq Stock Market's corporate governance listing standards. For example, Cayman Islands does not require us to comply with the following corporate governance listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market: (i) having the majority of our board of directors composed of independent directors, (ii) having a minimum of three members in our audit committee, (iii) holding annual shareholders' meetings, (iv) having a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, and (v) having a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. If we choose to follow home country practices in the future, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they would otherwise enjoy under the Nasdaq Stock Market's corporate governance listing standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement, and you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs are voted.
Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights as our shareholders. As a holder of our ADSs, you will not have any direct right to attend general meetings of our shareholders or to cast any votes at such meetings. As an ADS holder, you will only be able to exercise the voting rights carried by the underlying Class A ordinary shares which are represented by your ADSs indirectly by giving voting instructions to the depositary in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Under the deposit agreement, you may vote only by giving voting instructions to the depositary. Upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try, as far as is practicable, to vote the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs in accordance with your instructions. If we ask for your instructions, then upon receipt of your voting instructions, the depositary will try to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. If we do not instruct the depositary to ask for your instructions, the depositary may still vote in accordance with instructions you give, but it is not required to do so. You will not be able to directly exercise your right to vote with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares unless you withdraw the shares, and become the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date for the general meeting. Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, the minimum notice period required to be given by our company to our registered shareholders to convene a general meeting will be seven calendar days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient advance notice of the meeting to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs and become the registered holder of such shares to allow you to attend the general meeting and to vote directly with respect to any specific matter or resolution to be considered and voted upon at the general meeting. In addition, under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association that will become effective immediately prior to completion of this offering, for the purposes of determining those shareholders who are entitled to attend and vote at any general meeting, our directors may close our register of members and/or fix in advance a record date for such meeting, and such closure of our register of members or the setting of such a record date may prevent you from withdrawing the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs and becoming the registered holder of such shares prior to the record date,
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so that you would not be able to attend the general meeting or to vote directly. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and will arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We have agreed to give the depositary notice of shareholder meetings at least [45] days in advance of such meetings. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for their manner of carrying out your voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to direct how the shares underlying your ADSs are voted and you may have no legal remedy if the shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholders' meeting. Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote the Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders' meetings, which could adversely affect your interests.
We are entitled to amend the deposit agreement and to change the rights of ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, or to terminate the deposit agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders.
We are entitled to amend the deposit agreement and to change the rights of the ADS holders under the terms of such agreement, without the prior consent of the ADS holders. We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement in any way we decide is necessary or advantageous to us. Amendments may reflect, among other things, operational changes in the ADS program, legal developments affecting ADSs or changes in the terms of our business relationship with the depositary. In the event that the terms of an amendment impose or increase fees or charges (other than in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses) or materially prejudice an existing substantial right of the ADS holders, ADS holders will receive at least 30 days' advance notice of the amendment, and no prior consent of the ADS holders is required under the deposit agreement. If we decide to make an amendment to the deposit agreement that is disadvantageous to ADS holders or terminate the deposit agreement, the ADS holders may choose to sell their ADSs or surrender their ADSs and become direct holders of the underlying common shares, but will have no right to any compensation whatsoever. Furthermore, we may decide to terminate the ADS facility at any time for any reason. For example, terminations may occur if we decide to list our shares on a non-U.S. securities exchange and determine not to continue to sponsor an ADS facility or when we become the subject of a takeover or a going-private transaction. If the ADS facility will terminate, ADS holders will receive at least 90 days' prior notice, but no prior consent is required from them.
ADS holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, subject to the depositary's right to require a claim to be submitted to arbitration, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (or, if the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York lacks subject matter jurisdiction over a particular dispute, in the state courts in New York County, New York) shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine claims arising out of or relating in any way to the deposit agreement (including claims arising under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act) and in that regard, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.
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If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver in connection with claims arising under the federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, we believe that a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual pre-dispute jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waives the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.
If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us or the depositary, lead to increased costs to bring a claim, limited access to information and other imbalances of resources between such holder and us, or limit such holder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such holder finds favorable. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extend a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs shall relieve us or the depositary from our respective obligations to comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act nor serve as a waiver by any holder or beneficial owner of ADSs of compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
[The depositary for the ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders' meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, if you do not vote, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders' meetings unless:
The effect of this discretionary proxy is that if you do not vote at shareholders' meetings, you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, except under the circumstances described above. This may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.]
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The forward looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary", "Risk Factors", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business." Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under "Risk Factors", may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "is/are likely to", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in "Prospectus Summary Summary of Risk Factors", "Risk Factors", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", "Business", "Regulation" and other sections in this prospectus. You should read thoroughly this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also includes projections based on a number of assumptions. Our industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. Failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material and adverse effect on our business and the market price of the ADSs. In addition, the rapidly evolving nature of this industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions
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underlying the market data are later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
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We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately US$ , or approximately US$ if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional ADSs, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the price range shown on the front page of this prospectus. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by US$ , assuming the number of ADSs offered by us, as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives, and obtain additional capital. We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:
The foregoing represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business conditions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering. Our management, however, will have significant flexibility and discretion to apply the net proceeds of this offering. If an unforeseen event occurs or business conditions change, we may use the proceeds of this offering differently than as described in this prospectus. See "Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our ADSs and This Offering We have not determined a specific use for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree."
Pending any use described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds in short-term investment products.
In using the proceeds of this offering, we are permitted under PRC laws and regulations as an offshore holding company to provide funding to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions and to our consolidated VIE only through loans, subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, or at all. See "Risk Factors Risks Relating to Doing Business in China PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using the proceeds of this offering to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries and our VIE, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business."
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Our board of directors has discretion on whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. In either case, all dividends are subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium account, and provided always that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if we decide to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
We do not have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future after this offering. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We may rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders. PRC regulations may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. See "Regulation Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange."
If we pay any dividends on our ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders in proportion to the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs held by such ADS holders, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See "Description of American Depositary Shares." Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
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The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2020:
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You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
|
As of December 31, 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Actual | Pro Forma | Pro Forma As Adjusted(1) |
||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ |
|||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
Debt: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Financing payable |
244,151 | 37,418 | 244,151 | 37,418 | |||||||||||||||
Mezzanine Equity: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Series Seed convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 77,884,154 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
1,091,899 | 167,341 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series A convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 33,382,717 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
472,723 | 72,448 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series A-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 76,803,194 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
1,089,555 | 166,982 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series B-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 7,467,196 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
106,828 | 16,372 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series B-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 40,228,492 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
578,091 | 88,596 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series C-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 57,653,035 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
870,794 | 133,455 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series C-2 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 10,224,598 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
154,847 | 23,731 | | | |||||||||||||||
Series D-1 convertible redeemable preferred shares (US$0.0001 par value; 42,329,835 shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis and none outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
773,137 | 118,488 | | |
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|
As of December 31, 2020 |
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|
Actual | Pro Forma | Pro Forma As Adjusted(1) |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ | RMB | US$ |
|||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
5,137,874 | 787,413 | | | |||||||||||||||
Shareholders' (deficit)/equity |
|||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001, 609,026,779 shares authorized, 120,540,220 shares issued and 73,973,970 shares outstanding on an actual basis, and nil shares outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
83 | 13 | | | |||||||||||||||
Class A Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001, nil shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and 389,598,177 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
| | 254 | 39 | |||||||||||||||
Class B Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001, nil shares authorized, issued and outstanding on an actual basis, and 73,973,970 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
| | 51 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Treasury shares (46,566,250 shares on an actual basis, and nil shares on a pro forma or a pro forma as adjusted basis) |
| | | | |||||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital(2) |
| | 5,953,337 | 912,390 | |||||||||||||||
Statutory reserves |
16,593 | 2,543 | 16,593 | 2,543 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
201,823 | 30,931 | 201,823 | 30,931 | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(3,657,759 | ) | (560,576 | ) | (3,664,356 | ) | (561,587 | ) | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity(2) |
(3,439,260 | ) | (527,089 | ) | 2,507,702 | 384,324 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt, mezzanine equity and shareholders' (deficit)/equity(2) |
1,942,765 | 297,742 | 2,751,853 | 421,742 | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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If you invest in the ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares on an as-converted basis.
Our net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 was approximately US$ million, or US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share on an as-converted basis which assumes the conversion of our preferred shares and the immediate vesting of 20,250,000 unvested restricted shares owned by Mr. Mars Guangyuan Cai, our chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Peifeng Xu, our chief operating officer, and Mr. Victor Yaoyu Zhang, our chief marketing officer, as of December 31, 2020 upon the completion of this offering, after giving effect to the additional proceeds we will receive from this offering, from the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per Class A ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus adjusted to reflect the ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Because the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same dividend and other rights, except for voting and conversion rights, the dilution is presented based on all issued and outstanding ordinary shares, including Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.
Without taking into account any other changes in pro forma net tangible book value after December 31, 2020, other than to give effect to our sale of the ADSs offered in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 would have been US$ , or US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS to investors purchasing ADSs in this offering. The following table illustrates such dilution:
|
Per Ordinary Share |
Per ADS |
|||||
| | | | | | | |
Assumed initial public offering price |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares and the immediate vesting of 20,250,000 unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2020 upon the completion of this offering |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to the conversion of our preferred shares and this offering, the immediate vesting of 20,250,000 unvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2020 upon the completion of this offering |
US$ | US$ | |||||
Amount of dilution in net tangible book value to new investors in this offering |
US$ | US$ |
A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of US$ per ADS would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after giving
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effect to this offering by US$ , the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS, and the dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$ per ordinary share and US$ per ADS, assuming no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the front cover of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma as adjusted basis as of December 31, 2020, the differences between existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares (in the form of ADSs or shares) purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share and per ADS paid before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The total number of ordinary shares does not include ordinary shares underlying the ADSs issuable upon the exercise of the option to purchase additional ADSs granted to the underwriters.
|
Ordinary Shares Purchased |
Total Consideration | Average Price Per Ordinary |
Average Price |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | Share | Per ADS |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Existing shareholders |
US$ | % | US$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||
New investors |
US$ | % | US$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
US$ | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of the ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.
The discussion and tables above does not take into account vested restricted share units as of the date of this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate number of our outstanding restricted share units is 17,847,431. To the extent that any of these restricted share units are vested and settled for our ordinary shares, there will be further dilution to new investors.
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability in order to enjoy the following benefits:
However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include but are not limited to:
Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China, and a majority of our assets are located in China. A majority of our directors and executive officers are nationals or residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a shareholder to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168, as our agent upon whom process may be served in any action brought against us under the securities laws of the United States.
We have been informed by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would (i) recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States, or (ii) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against us or our directors or officers that are predicated upon the federal securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any state in the United States. We have also been advised by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP that although there is no statutory enforcement in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the federal or state courts of the United States (and the Cayman Islands are not a party to any treaties for the reciprocal enforcement or recognition of such judgments), a judgment obtained in such jurisdiction will be recognized and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any reexamination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction, (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given, (c) is final, (d) is not in respect of taxes, a
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fine or a penalty, and (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a judgment obtained from the U.S. courts under civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities law if such judgment is determined by the courts of the Cayman Islands to give rise to obligations to make payments that are penal or punitive in nature. A Cayman Islands court may stay enforcement proceedings if concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere.
Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, has advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would:
Commerce & Finance Law Offices has further advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law and other applicable laws and regulations based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States or the Cayman Islands that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States or in the Cayman Islands. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against a company in China for disputes if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. It will be, however, difficult for U.S. shareholders to originate actions against us in the PRC in accordance with PRC laws because we are incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and it will be difficult for U.S. shareholders, by virtue only of holding the ADSs or ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction as required under the PRC Civil Procedures Law.
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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE
Corporate History
We set up Shanghai Zhixiang Technology Co., Ltd., or our VIE, in April 2017.
Our holding company, Smart Share Global Limited, was incorporated in May 2017. In May 2017, Smart Share Global Limited established a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, Smart Share International Limited. In June 2017, Smart Share International Limited established a wholly owned subsidiary in China, Zhixiang Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or Zhixiang WFOE. In July 2017, we gained control over our VIE through Zhixiang WFOE by entering into a series of contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders. In September 2019, Smart Share International Limited established another wholly owned subsidiary in China, Zhicheng Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or Zhicheng WFOE.
Corporate Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our significant subsidiaries and our VIE, as of the date of this prospectus:
Note:
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Contractual Arrangements with Our VIE and Its Shareholders
Current PRC laws and regulations impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in value-added telecommunication services and certain other businesses. We are an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Zhicheng WFOE and Zhixiang WFOE are our PRC subsidiaries, which we refer to as our WFOEs in this prospectus, and they are foreign-invested enterprises under PRC Laws. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct certain of our business in the PRC through our VIE based on a series of contractual arrangements by and among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders.
Our contractual arrangements with our VIE and its shareholders allow us to (i) exercise effective control over our VIE, (ii) receive substantially all of the economic benefits of our VIE, and (iii) have an exclusive call option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in our VIE when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
As a result of our direct ownership in Zhixiang WFOE and the contractual arrangements with our VIE, we are regarded as the primary beneficiary of our VIE, and we treat our VIE as our consolidated affiliated entity under U.S. GAAP. We have consolidated the financial results of our VIE in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following is a summary of the currently effective contractual arrangements by and among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders.
Agreements that provide us with effective control over our VIE
Proxy Agreements. Pursuant to the proxy agreements executed by Zhixiang WFOE and each of our VIE's shareholders respectively, our VIE's shareholders irrevocably authorized Zhixiang WFOE to act on their respective behalf as sole proxy attorney, to the extent permitted by law, to exercise all rights concerning all the equity interest held by each of them in our VIE, including but not limited to proposing to convene or attend shareholder meetings, attending shareholder meetings, signing resolutions and minutes of such meetings, exercising all the rights as shareholders in such meeting (including but not limited to voting rights, nomination rights and appointment rights), the right to receive dividends and the right to sell, transfer, pledge or dispose of all the equity held in part or in whole, and exercising all other rights as shareholders allowable under PRC law and the memorandum and articles of our company.
Equity Interest Pledge Agreement. Under the equity interest pledge agreement among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders, our VIE's shareholders pledged all of their equity interests of our VIE to Zhixiang WFOE as security for repayment obligations of any and all due payments, including but not limited to the consultancy and service fees due from our VIE to Zhixiang WFOE under the exclusive business cooperation agreement. During the term of the equity interest pledge agreement, our VIE's shareholders undertake that, without the prior written consent of Zhixiang WFOE, they will not transfer, or create or allow any encumbrance on the pledged equity interests, except as otherwise provided in the exclusive call option agreement. If any of the specified events of default occurs, Zhixiang WFOE will have the right to request repayment of all due and payable payments, and/or transfer, auction or sale of all or part of the pledged equity interests in our VIE and will have priority in receiving the proceeds from such disposal. Zhixiang WFOE may transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the exclusive business cooperation agreement to its designee(s) at any time. The term of the agreement is 10 years and shall be extended if the term of the exclusive business cooperation agreement is extended.
We have completed the registration of the equity interest pledge under the equity interest pledge agreement in relation to our VIE and Zhixiang WFOE with the relevant office of the State
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Administration for Market Regulation in September 2019 in accordance with the PRC Property Rights Law.
Agreement that allows us to receive economic benefits from our VIE
Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive business cooperation agreement between Zhixiang WFOE and our VIE, our VIE appointed Zhixiang WFOE or designee(s) as its exclusive service provider providing full business support, technology services and consultancy services, including but not limited to licensing of intellectual property rights, technology support, system maintenance, personnel training, equipment or office leasing and marketing consultancy. In exchange, our VIE pays consultancy and service fees to Zhixiang WFOE, the price of which is mutually agreed in each quarterly bill according to the amount and commercial value of the services provided to our VIE. However, Zhixiang WFOE can adjust the standard of consultancy and service fees according to the amount and content of services provided. Without the prior written consent of Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE cannot accept services provided by, or establish similar cooperation relationship with, any third-party. Zhixiang WFOE has the exclusive ownership of all intellectual property rights created as a result of the performance of this agreement. The exclusive business cooperation agreement has a term of 10 years. Zhixiang WFOE may terminate the agreement unilaterally with a 30-day prior written notice, whereas our VIE cannot terminate the agreement unless Zhixiang WFOE is grossly negligent and fraudulent towards our VIE.
Agreements that provide us with the option to purchase the equity interests or assets
in our VIE
Exclusive Asset Subscription Agreement. Pursuant to the exclusive asset subscription agreement between Zhixiang WFOE and our VIE, our VIE irrevocably granted Zhixiang WFOE, to the extent permitted by PRC law, an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase, or designate a third-party to purchase, all the intellectual property rights and all the other assets currently owned or to be owned by our VIE at any time at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by PRC law. Our VIE further undertakes that, without Zhixiang WFOE's prior written consent, it will not, among other things, sell, transfer, pledge, or permit others to use or otherwise dispose of such assets. The exclusive asset subscription agreement has a term of 10 years and can be extended at Zhixiang WFOE's option.
Exclusive Call Option Agreement. Under the exclusive call option agreement among Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE and its shareholders, each of the shareholders of our VIE irrevocably granted Zhixiang WFOE, to the extent permitted by PRC law, an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase, or designate a third-party to purchase, all or any part of their equity interests at any time or from time to time at a purchase price equal to the lowest price permissible by PRC law. The shareholders of our VIE shall promptly give all considerations they received from the exercise of the options to Zhixiang WFOE or its designee(s). Our VIE and its shareholders covenant that, without Zhixiang WFOE's prior written consent, they will not, among other things, (i) supplement or amend our VIE's articles of association, or otherwise change our VIE's registered capital or shareholding structure; (ii) sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of their assets in our VIE, or create any encumbrance on their assets in our VIE; (iii) incur, inherit, guarantee or permit any debts, except for those payables incurred in the ordinary course of business but not incurred by way of borrowing and those already disclosed to and approved by Zhixiang WFOE; (iv) cause our VIE to enter into any material contract, being contracts with value exceeding RMB100,000, except in the ordinary course of business; (v) procure our VIE to provide any financing or extend any credit to any third-party; (vi) merge or consolidate our VIE with any other entity or acquire or invest in any other entity; (vii) wind up, liquidate or dissolve our VIE; and (viii) distribute any dividend. However, upon request by Zhixiang WFOE, our VIE shall immediately distribute all distributable profits to its shareholders.
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The exclusive call option agreement has a term of 10 years and can be extended at Zhixiang WFOE's option.
Spousal Consent Letter. Pursuant to the spousal consent letter executed by the spouse of a certain shareholder of our VIE, the signing spouse unconditionally and irrevocably agreed that the equity interest in our VIE held by and registered in the name of such shareholder be disposed of in accordance with the exclusive call option agreement, equity interest pledge agreement, proxy agreement, and other documents described above. The signing spouse agreed not to assert any rights over the equity interest in our VIE held by such shareholder. In addition, in the event that the signing spouse obtains any equity interest in our VIE held by such shareholder for any reason, she agrees to be bound by and sign any legal documents substantially similar to the contractual arrangements described above, as may be amended from time to time.
In the opinion of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, our PRC legal counsel:
However, our PRC legal counsel has also advised us that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws, regulations and rules. Accordingly, the PRC regulatory authorities may take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. It is uncertain whether any new PRC laws or regulations relating to variable interest entity structures will be adopted or if adopted, what they would provide. If we or our VIE are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, or fail to obtain or maintain any of the required permits or approvals, the relevant PRC regulatory authorities would have broad discretion to take action in dealing with such violations or failures. See "Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating some of our operations in China do not comply with PRC regulations relating to the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations", "Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Corporate Structure Our current corporate structure and business operations may be substantially affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law" and "Risk Factors Risks Relating to Doing Business in China Uncertainties in the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us."
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, and selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods. You should read this Selected Consolidated Financial Data section together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
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For the Year Ended December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Selected Consolidated Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||
Mobile device charging business |
1,924,264 | 2,711,541 | 415,562 | |||||||
Power bank sales |
70,448 | 77,598 | 11,892 | |||||||
Others |
27,598 | 20,220 | 3,099 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenues |
2,022,310 | 2,809,359 | 430,553 | |||||||
Cost of revenues(1) |
(292,494 | ) | (430,773 | ) | (66,019 | ) | ||||
Research and development expenses(1) |
(65,471 | ) | (70,938 | ) | (10,872 | ) | ||||
Sales and marketing expenses(1) |
(1,362,185 | ) | (2,121,006 | ) | (325,058 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses(1) |
(82,448 | ) | (79,600 | ) | (12,199 | ) | ||||
Other operating income |
12,349 | 24,790 | 3,799 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income from operations |
232,061 | 131,832 | 20,204 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and investment income |
10,184 | 10,271 | 1,574 | |||||||
Interest expense to third parties |
(26,963 | ) | (39,596 | ) | (6,068 | ) | ||||
Interest expense to a related party |
| (1,032 | ) | (158 | ) | |||||
Foreign exchange losses, net |
(1,973 | ) | (485 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||
Other (loss)/income, net |
(8 | ) | 443 | 68 | ||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities |
(865 | ) | (7,442 | ) | (1,141 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income before income tax expenses |
212,436 | 93,991 | 14,405 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax expenses |
(45,830 | ) | (18,564 | ) | (2,845 | ) | ||||
Net income |
166,606 | 75,427 | 11,560 | |||||||
Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
(406,828 | ) | (3,206,324 | ) | (491,391 | ) | ||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders |
(24,229 | ) | | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Smart Share Global Limited |
(264,451 | ) | (3,130,897 | ) | (479,831 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net income |
166,606 | 75,427 | 11,560 | |||||||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income |
||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax |
(16,203 | ) | 232,957 | 35,702 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income |
150,403 | 308,384 | 47,262 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Accretion of convertible redeemable preferred shares |
(406,828 | ) | (3,206,324 | ) | (491,391 | ) | ||||
Deemed dividend to preferred shareholders |
(24,229 | ) | | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of Smart Share Global Limited |
(280,654 | ) | (2,897,940 | ) | (444,129 | ) | ||||
Non-GAAP measure: |
||||||||||
Adjusted net income(2) |
206,557 | 112,624 | 17,261 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Note:
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|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
Share-based compensation expenses: |
|||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
35,499 | 24,015 | 3,680 | ||||||||
Research and development expenses |
916 | 1,378 | 211 | ||||||||
Sales and marketing expenses |
2,501 | 4,144 | 635 | ||||||||
Cost of revenues |
170 | 218 | 34 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total |
39,086 | 29,755 | 4,560 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents our selected consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2019 and 2020:
|
As of December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
RMB | RMB | US$ |
|||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(in thousands) | |||||||||
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
273,608 | 1,252,493 | 191,953 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
106,925 | 51,008 | 7,817 | |||||||
Short-term investments |
320,462 | 170,552 | 26,138 | |||||||
Prepayments and other current assets |
173,597 | 253,020 | 38,777 | |||||||
Total current assets |
898,815 | 1,745,816 | 267,557 | |||||||
Property, equipment and software, net |
981,202 | 963,453 | 147,656 | |||||||
Total non-current assets |
1,126,707 | 1,039,819 | 159,359 | |||||||
Total assets |
2,025,522 | 2,785,635 | 426,916 | |||||||
Short-term borrowings |
191,000 | 24,500 | 3,755 | |||||||
Financing payablecurrent |
40,137 | 46,854 | 7,181 | |||||||
Accounts and notes payable |
307,673 | 406,760 | 62,339 | |||||||
Accounts due to related parties |
193,280 | 77,939 | 11,945 | |||||||
Accruals and other current liabilities |
255,245 | 219,210 | 33,594 | |||||||
Total current liabilities |
1,056,265 | 854,833 | 131,008 | |||||||
Financing payablenon-current |
102,019 | 197,297 | 30,237 | |||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
119,249 | 232,188 | 35,584 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
1,175,514 | 1,087,021 | 166,592 | |||||||
Total mezzanine equity |
1,421,083 | 5,137,874 | 787,413 | |||||||
Total shareholders' deficit |
(571,075 | ) | (3,439,260 | ) | (527,089 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit |
2,025,522 | 2,785,635 | 426,916 |
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The following table presents our selected consolidated cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020:
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For the Year Ended December 31, |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|
2019 | 2020 |
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