Unassociated Document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2011
Registration No. 333-173407
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1/A
Amendment No. 1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CHINA INTERNET CAFE HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
5960
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
98-0500738
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
#2009-2010, 4th Building, ZhuoYue Century Center
FuHua Third Road, FuTian District Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
People’s Republic of China 518048
86 -755- 89890998
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Mr. Dishan Guo
Chief Executive Officer
#2009-2010, 4 th Building, ZhuoYue Century Center
FuHua Third Road, FuTian District Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
People’s Republic of China 518048
86 -755- 89890998
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Gregory Sichenzia, Esq.
Benjamin Tan, Esq.
Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP
61 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Tel: (212) 930 9700
Fax: (212) 930 9725
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box: x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨
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Accelerated filer ¨
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Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company x
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Class of Securities
to be Registered
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Amount to be
Registered (1)
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Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price per
Unit
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Amount of
Registration Fee (2)
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Common Stock, par value
$0.00001
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7,247,996 |
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$ |
9,059,995 |
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$ |
19.07 |
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$ |
1,051.87 |
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(1)
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All shares registered pursuant to this registration statement are to be offered by the selling stockholders.
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(2)
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Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The registration fee is calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c). Our Common Stock is quoted under the symbol "CICC" on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) administered by FINRA. As of April 8, 2011, the last reported sale price was for $1.25 per share.
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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 Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED ______, 2011
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CHINA INTERNET CAFE HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
7,247,996 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering for sale from time to time up to 7,247,996 shares of our common stock, par value $0.00001, (the “Common Stock”) including (i) 474,967 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 4,274,703 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of preferred shares, (iii) and 2,498,326 shares of Common Stock that they may acquire from time to time on exercise of certain warrants.
The Common Stock and warrants have already been issued to the selling stockholders in a private placement transaction on February 22, 2011, which was exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Offering”).
In the Offering, Investors were issued warrants to purchase 949,934 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.00 (the “Series A Warrants”) and another 949,934 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $3.00 (the “Series B Warrants”). Additionally, the placement agent and its designees were issued warrants to purchase 427,470 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $1.35 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”), Series A Warrants to purchase 85,494 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.00 per share, and Series B Warrants to purchase 85,494 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $3.00 per share. The Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants, and Placement Agent Warrants all have a term of three years from the date of issue (equivalent to February 21, 2014).
The resale of the shares of Common Stock is not being underwritten. The selling stockholders may sell or distribute the shares, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, through underwriters, dealers, brokers or other agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. Each selling stockholder will determine the prices at which it sells its shares. Although we will incur expenses in connection with the registration of the Common Stock (estimated to be approximately $68,262), we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock by the selling stockholders. To the extent the warrants are exercised for cash, if at all, we will receive the exercise price for those warrants. We cannot assure you that the warrants will be exercised for cash or at all.
To the extent the warrants are exercised to purchase shares of our Common Stock, if at all, we will receive the exercise price for those warrants. To the extent that the warrants are exercised using a cashless exercise, we will not receive the exercise price for those warrants.
Our Common Stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board over seen by FINRA (the “OTCBB”) under the symbol “CICC” but there is a limited and/or sporadic trading market for our Common Stock. On July 11, 2011, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock quoted on the OTCBB was $0.80 per share.
Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You may lose your entire investment. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 for a discussion of certain risk factors that you should consider.
You should read the entire prospectus before making an investment decision.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is _____, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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PART I – INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Prospectus Summary
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6
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Information Contained in this Prospectus
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12
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Risk Factors
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13
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Use of Proceeds
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28
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Dilution
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28
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Selling Shareholders
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28
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Plan of Distribution
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32
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Description of Securities to be Registered
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33
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Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
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34
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Business
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34
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Properties
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44
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Legal Proceedings
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45
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Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
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45
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
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46
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Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants
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60
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Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
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60
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Executive Compensation
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64
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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66
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
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67
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Legal Matters
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68
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Experts
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68
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Available Information
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69
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Financial Statements
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69
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PART II – INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
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70
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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70
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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
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71
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Exhibits
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72
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Undertakings
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75
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Signatures
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77
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus. The selling stockholders are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy shares of our Common Stock, including shares they acquire upon exercise of their warrants, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our Common Stock. The prospectus will be updated and updated prospectuses made available for delivery to the extent required by the federal securities laws.
No person is authorized in connection with this prospectus to give any information or to make any representations about us, the selling stockholders, the securities or any matter discussed in this prospectus, other than the information and representations contained in this prospectus. If any other information or representation is given or made, such information or representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or any selling stockholder. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any distribution of securities in accordance with this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, imply that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. The prospectus will be updated and updated prospectuses made available for delivery to the extent required by the federal securities laws.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our Common Stock. You should read the entire prospectus, including “Risk Factors” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes before making an investment decision. Contents from our website, www.chinainternetcafe.com, are not part of this prospectus. Except as otherwise specifically stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refers collectively to China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.
THE COMPANY
Business Overview
We operate a chain of 55 internet cafés in Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC that are generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide top quality internet café facilities and we believe we are the largest internet café chain in Shenzhen. We provide internet access at prices that are affordable to both students and migrant workers. Although we sell snacks, drinks, and game access cards, over 95% of our revenue comes from selling access time to our computers. We sell internet café memberships to our customers. Members purchase prepaid IC cards (a pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can be used for identification, authentication, data storage and application processing), which include stored value that will be deducted based on time usage of a computer at the internet café. The cards are only sold at our cafés. We deduct the amount that reflects the access time used by a customer when the customer’s IC card is inserted into the IC card slot on the computer.
Our History
China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc. (“we”, “us”, or the “Company”) is a Nevada holding company for our direct and indirect subsidiaries in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) and the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). We own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond, a BVI corporation. Classic Bond is a holding company that owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Shenzhen Zhonghefangda Internet Technology Co., Limited (“ Zhonghefangda”), a PRC company.
Current PRC laws and regulations impose substantial restrictions on foreign ownership of the internet café business in the PRC. Therefore, our principal operations and sales and marketing activities in the PRC are conducted through Shenzhen Junlong Culture Communications Co., Ltd (“Junlong”), our variable interest entity (“VIE”), which holds the licenses and approvals for conducting the internet café business in the PRC.
Junlong was incorporated in the PRC in December 2003. It obtained its license to operate internet cafés in 2005. Our effective control over the VIE is contingent on a series of contractual arrangements. These contracts include a Management and Consulting Services Agreement, an Option Agreement, an Equity Pledge Agreement, and a Voting Rights Proxy Agreement. The Management and Consulting Services Agreement, dated June 11, 2010, is between our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Zhonghefangda, and our VIE. The rest of the agreements, also dated June 11, 2010, are among Zhonghefangda, our VIE and its shareholders. These contracts are summarized below. Please also refer to the full text of the contracts, which are filed as exhibits to this report.
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Management and Consulting Services Agreement . Under the Management and Consulting Services Agreement between Junlong and Zhonghefangda, Zhonghefangda provides management and consulting services to the VIE in exchange for service fees up to 100% of the VIE’s Aggregate Net Profits (as defined in the agreement). In consideration for its right to receive the VIE’s aggregate net profits, Zhonghefangda will reimburse to the VIE the full amount of Net Losses (as defined in the Agreement) incurred by the VIE. During the term of the agreement, the VIE may not contract with any other party to provide services that are the same or similar to the services to be provided by Zhonghefangda pursuant to the agreement. The term of this agreement is 20 years, renewable for succeeding periods of the same duration until terminated pursuant to terms of the agreement.
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Option Agreement. Under the Option Agreement, the shareholders of the VIE, Mr. Dishan Guo, Mr. Jinzhou Zeng and Ms. Xiaofen Wang, or the VIE Shareholders, who collectively own 100% of the equity interest in the VIE, granted Zhonghefangda an exclusive, irrevocable option to purchase all or part of their equity interests in the VIE, exercisable at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law. The purchase price of the equity interest will be equal to the original paid-in registered capital of the transferor, adjusted proportionally if less than all of the equity interest owned by the transferor is purchased.
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Equity Pledge Agreement . The VIE Shareholders have pledged their entire equity interest in the VIE to Zhonghefangda pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement. The equity interests are pledged as collateral to secure the obligations of the VIE under the Management and Consulting Services Agreement and the VIE Shareholders’ obligations under the Option Agreement and the Proxy Agreement.
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Voting Rights Proxy Agreement . Pursuant to the Voting Rights Proxy Agreement, each of the VIE Shareholders has irrevocably granted and entrusted Zhonghefangda with all of the voting rights as a shareholder of the VIE for the maximum period of time permitted by law. Each VIE Shareholder has also covenanted not to transfer his or her equity interest in the VIE to any party other than Zhonghefangda or a designee of Zhonghefangda.
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We believe that the terms of these agreements are no less favorable than the terms that we could obtain from disinterested third parties. According to our PRC counsel, China Commercial Law Firm, our conduct of business through these agreements complies with existing PRC laws, rules and regulations.
As a result of these contractual arrangements, Junlong became our controlled VIE. A variable interest represents a contractual or ownership interest in another entity that causes the holder to absorb the changes in fair value of the other entity’s net assets. Potential variable interests include: holding economic interests, voting rights, or obligations to an entity; issuing guarantees on behalf of an entity; transferring assets to an entity; managing the assets of an entity; leasing assets from an entity; and providing financing to an entity. In such cases consolidation of the VIE is required by the enterprise that controls the economic risks and rewards of the entity, regardless of ownership. We have consolidated Junlong’s historical financial results in our financial statements as a variable interest entity pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Acquisition of Classic Bond
On July 2, 2010, we completed a reverse acquisition transaction through a share exchange with Classic Bond and its shareholders, whereby we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond, in exchange for 19,000,000 shares of our Common Stock, which shares constituted 94% of our issued and outstanding shares on a fully-diluted basis, as of and immediately after the consummation of the reverse acquisition. As a result of the reverse acquisition, Classic Bond became our wholly owned subsidiary and the former shareholders of Classic Bond, became our controlling shareholders. The share exchange transaction with Classic Bond was treated as a reverse acquisition, with Classic Bond as the acquirer and China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc. as the acquired party. Unless the context suggests otherwise, when we refer in this report to business and financial information for periods prior to the consummation of the reverse acquisition, we are referring to the business and financial information of Classic Bond and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, Xuezheng Yuan, our sole director and officer, submitted a resignation letter pursuant to which he resigned, with immediate effect, from all offices that he held and from his position as our sole director that became effective on the August 13 2010, ten days following the mailing by us of an information statement to our stockholders complying with the requirements of Section 14f-1 of the Exchange Act (the “Information Statement”). Also upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, our board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) increased its size from one to five members and appointed Dishan Guo, Zhenquan Guo, Lei Li, Wenbin An and Lizong Wang to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Xuezheng Yuan and such increase. Mr. Dishan Guo's appointment became effective upon closing of the reverse acquisition, while the remaining appointments became effective on August 13, 2010, the tenth day following our mailing of the Information Statement to our stockholders. In addition, our executive officers were replaced by the Classic Bond executive officers upon the closing of the reverse acquisition as indicated in more detail below.
As a result of our acquisition of Classic Bond, we now own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond. Classic Bond was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on November 2, 2009 to serve as an investment holding company. Junlong was incorporated in the PRC in December 2003. It obtained its first licenses from the Ministry of Culture to operate an internet café chain in 2005 and opened its first internet café in April 2006.
The following chart represents our organizational structure as of the date of this report:
On July 2, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a change in our fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31, which was effectuated in connection with the reverse acquisition transaction described above.
On January 20, 2011, the Company filed with the Nevada Secretary of State an amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to give effect to a name change from “China Unitech Group, Inc.” to “China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.” The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were approved by our Board of Directors on July 30, 2010 and were approved by a stockholder holding 59.45% of our outstanding Common Stock by written consent on July 30, 2010. In connection with the name change, on January 25, 2011, the Company filed an Issuer Company-Related Action Notification Form with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) requesting a name change from “China Unitech Group, Inc.” to “China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.” as well as an OTC voluntary symbol change from “CUIG” to “CICC.” These changes became effective on February 1, 2011. Our Common Stock began trading under the Company’s new name on the Over-the Counter Bulletin Boards on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 under our new trading symbol “CICC.”
On February 22, 2011, in connection with a security purchase agreement between the Company and the investors identified on Exhibit A thereto (collectively, the “Investors”), we closed a private placement of approximately $6.4 million from offering a total of 474,967 units (the “Units”) at a purchase price of $13.50 per Unit, each consisting of:(i) nine shares of the Company’s 5% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “ Preferred Shares ”), convertible on a one to one basis into nine shares of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) one share of Common Stock; (iii) two three-year Series A Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.00 per share; and (iv) two three-year Series B Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, to purchase one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
Our Corporation Information
We maintain our corporate offices at #2009-2010, 4 th Building, ZhuoYue Century Centre, FuHua Thrid Road, FuTian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number is 86-755-89890998 and our facsimile number is 86-755-89899013. We also have a website at http://www.chinainternetcafe.com/ .
THE OFFERING
The Offering
This prospectus relates to (i) 474,967 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 2,498,326 shares of Common Stock underlying certain convertible warrants, and (iii) 4,274,703 shares of Common Stock underlying Preferred Shares.
Common Stock outstanding prior to offering
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21,124,967
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Common Stock offered by Company
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0
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Total shares of Common Stock offered by selling shareholders
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7,247,996 (including 2,498,326 shares of Common Stock underlying certain warrants and 4,274,703 shares of Common Stock underlying certain convertible preferred stock)
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Common Stock to be outstanding after the offering (assuming all the warrants have been either exercised or converted and all Preferred Shares have been converted)
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27,447,996
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Use of proceeds of sale
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We will not receive any of the proceeds of sale of the shares of Common Stock by the selling stockholders. However, we will receive proceeds from any exercise or conversion of the warrants into and up to 2,498,326 shares of our Common Stock, which are presently offered under this prospectus. We intend to use any proceeds received from the exercise or conversion, as the case may be, for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We, however, cannot assure you that any of the warrants will be exercised or converted.
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Risk Factors
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See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13 and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Common Stock.
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Background
On February 22, 2011( the “Closing Date”), in connection with a security purchase agreement between the Company and the Investors, we closed a private placement (the “Offering”) of approximately $6.4 million from offering a total of 474,967 units (the “Units”) at a purchase price of $13.50 per Unit, each consisting of:(i) nine shares of the Company’s Preferred Shares, convertible on a one to one basis into nine shares of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) one share of Common Stock; (iii) two three-year Series A Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.00 per share; and (iv) two three-year Series B Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, to purchase one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
As a condition to the Offering, we agreed to grant certain registration rights to the Investors pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement dated February 22, 2011. We agreed to register for resale with the Securities and Exchange Commission (i) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (4,274,703); (ii) the Common Shares (474,967); (iii) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (2,498,326); and (iv) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing.
For more information on the Offering, please refer to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2011 and in the “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities” section below.
Plan of Distribution
This offering is not being underwritten. The selling stockholders directly, through agents designated by them from time to time or through brokers or dealers also to be designated, may sell their shares from time to time, in or through privately negotiated transactions, or in one or more transactions, including block transactions, on the OTC Bulletin Board or on any stock exchange on which the shares may be listed in the future pursuant to and in accordance with the applicable rules of such exchange or otherwise. The selling price of the shares may be at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. To the extent required, the specific shares to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any such agent, broker or dealer and any applicable commission or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be described in an accompanying prospectus. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus. We will keep this prospectus current until the expiration dates of the convertible warrants, even if the convertible warrants which underlie certain shares of our Common Stock subject to this prospectus are out of the money.
The selling security holders and any other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the shares offered under this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations under that act, including Regulation M. These provisions may restrict activities of, and limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares by, the selling security holders or any other person. Furthermore, under Regulation M, persons engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously engaging in market making and other activities with respect to those securities for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions, subject to specified exceptions or exemptions. All of these limitations may affect the marketability of the shares.
We will not receive any proceeds from sales of shares by the selling stockholders. However, if any of the selling stockholders decide to exercise their warrants, we will receive the net proceeds of the exercise of such security held by the selling stockholders. We intend to use any proceeds we receive from the exercise or conversion of warrants for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We cannot assure you that any of the warrants will ever be exercised or converted. To the extent that the warrants are exercised on a cashless basis, we will not receive any proceeds from the exercise of the warrants.
We will pay all expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering (estimated to be $68,262), but the selling stockholders will pay all of the selling commissions, brokerage fees and related expenses.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that participate with the selling stockholders in the distribution of any of the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus contains some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, (a) our projected sales, profitability, and cash flows, (b) our growth strategies, (c) anticipated trends in our industries, (d) our future financing plans and (e) our anticipated needs for working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These statements may be found under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” as well as in this prospectus generally. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products or product approvals, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and financial results.
Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this report may turn out to be inaccurate. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” and matters described in this prospectus generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this filing will in fact occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Currency, exchange rate, and “China” and other references
Unless otherwise noted, all currency figures in this filing are in U.S. dollars. References to "Yuan" or "RMB" are to the Chinese Yuan, which is also known as the Renminbi . According to the currency exchange website www.xe.com, on April 6, 2011, $1.00 was equivalent to 6.54824 Yuan.
References to “PRC” or “China” are to the People’s Republic of China.
Unless otherwise specified or required by context, references to “we,” “the Company”, “our” and “us” refer to China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.
References to the “Bulletin Board,” the “OTC Bulletin Board” are to the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, a securities quotation service, which is accessible at the website www.otcbb.com.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this report, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our Common Stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Our limited operating history makes evaluating our business and prospects difficult.
Our VIE, Junlong, was established in December 2003 and obtained the license to operate internet cafés in Shenzhen in 2005. Our limited operating history may not provide a meaningful basis for you to evaluate our business and prospects. Our business strategy has not been proven over time and we cannot be certain that we will be able to successfully expand our business.
Fluctuations in operating results or the failure of operating results to meet the expectations of public market analysts and investors may negatively impact the market price of our securities. Operating results may fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors that could affect revenues or expenses in any particular quarter. Fluctuations in operating results could cause the value of our securities to decline. Investors should not rely on comparisons of results of operations as an indication of future performance. As a result of the factors listed below, it is possible that in future periods results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. This could cause the market price of our securities to decline. Factors that may affect our quarterly results include:
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vulnerability of our business to a general economic downturn in the PRC;
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changes in the laws of the PRC that affect our operations;
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competition from other similar service providers; and
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our ability to obtain necessary government certifications and/or licenses to conduct our business.
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We are dependent on our management team and the loss of any key member of that team could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
We attribute our success to the leadership and contributions of our managing team comprising executive directors and key executives, in particular, to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Dishan Guo and our Chief Technology Officer Zhenfan Li.
Our continued success is therefore dependent to a large extent on our ability to retain the services of these key management personnel. The loss of their services without timely and qualified replacement, will adversely affect our operations and hence, our revenue and profits.
We have not obtained social insurance benefits for all of our employees and could incur administrative fines and penalties that could materially affect our financial condition and reputation.
We have obtained social benefits coverage for employees who work at the headquarters of Junlong. For other employees, because of the high mobility of their work, they usually work on a probationary basis and will not enter into a long employment relationship with us. We are subject to administrative fines and penalties as a result of our failure to obtain social insurance for these employees. The amount of these fines and penalties, in the aggregate, may adversely affect our financial condition and our public image.
Tightened regulations on internet cafés may adversely affect our operations and revenues.
The PRC government has been tough on internet café regulations. In 2003, the PRC government imposed a minimum capital requirement of RMB 10 million (approximately $1.47 million) for regional café chains and RMB 50 million (approximately $7.32 million) for national café chains. On September 29, 2002, the State Council issued “Regulations on the Administration of Business Sites of Internet Access Services.” The regulations require a license to operate internet cafés which may not be assigned or leased to any third parties. The regulations also have detailed provisions regarding internet cafés’ business operations and security control. The number of internet cafés in China was reduced after these regulations went effective.
If the PRC government decided to impose more stringent regulations on internet cafés and their operations, our business may be adversely affected and our revenues may decrease as a result.
There may be reduced use of internet cafés with the increase in computer ownership and internet connections at home and any such reduction would negatively affect our financial performance.
With the rapid economic development and growing disposable income, computer ownership and internet connections at home will gradually increase as the price for computer hardware, software and internet access decreases.
Negative media coverage of internet cafés may reduce the number of customers that visit our internet cafés and result in lower revenues.
In the last few years there have been several negative stories in the media about internet cafés. A fatal fire in Beijing's Lanjisu Internet café in June 2002 raised nationwide concern about the country’s burgeoning internet café business. In 2006, a report from the China National Children's Center, a government think-tank, said that 13 percent of the PRC's 18 million internet users under 18 were internet addicts. Responding to the problems associated with internet cafés, the PRC imposed more stringent laws and regulations on internet cafés. In 2007, fearful of soaring internet addiction and juvenile crime, the PRC banned the opening of new internet cafés for a year. Such negative media coverage may result in stricter government regulations and reduced number of customers.
Interruption or failure of our own information technology and communications systems or those of third-party service providers we rely upon could impair our ability to effectively provide our services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results.
Our ability to provide our services depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and communications systems. Any damage to or failure of our systems could interrupt our service. Service interruptions could reduce our revenues and profits, and damage our brand if our system is perceived to be unreliable. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption as a result of terrorist attacks, wars, earthquakes, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunications failures, undetected errors or “bugs” in our software, and computer viruses.
Our servers are vulnerable to break-ins, sabotage and vandalism. The occurrence of a natural disaster or a closure of an Internet data center by a third-party provider without adequate notice could result in lengthy service interruptions.
The steps we take to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems are expensive, reduce our operating margin and may not be successful in reducing the frequency or duration of service interruptions.
Our business may be adversely affected by third-party software applications or practices that interfere with our receipt of information from, or provision of information to, our customers, which may impair our customers’ experience.
Our business may be adversely affected by third-party malicious or unintentional software applications that make changes to our computers and interfere with our services. These software applications may be difficult or impossible to remove or disable, may reinstall themselves and may circumvent other applications’ efforts to block or remove them. The ability to provide a superior user experience is critical to our success. If we are unable to successfully combat third-party software applications that interfere with our products and services, our reputation may be harmed.
The successful operation of our business depends upon the performance and reliability of the Internet infrastructure and fixed telecommunications networks in China.
Our business depends on the performance and reliability of the Internet infrastructure in China. Almost all access to the Internet is maintained through state-owned telecommunication operators under the administrative control and regulatory supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (or its predecessor, the Ministry of Information Industry, before its formal establishment in 2008), or the MIIT. In addition, the national networks in China are connected to the Internet through international gateways controlled by the PRC government. These international gateways are the only channels through which a domestic user can connect to the Internet. We cannot assure you that a more sophisticated Internet infrastructure will be developed in China. We may not have access to alternative networks in the event of disruptions, failures or other problems with China’s Internet infrastructure. In addition, the Internet infrastructure in China may not support the demands associated with continued growth in Internet usage.
Any unscheduled service interruption could damage our reputation and result in a decrease in our revenues. Furthermore, if the prices that we pay for telecommunications and Internet services rise significantly, our gross margins could be adversely affected.
Concerns about the security of electronic commerce transactions and confidentiality of information on the Internet may reduce use of our internet cafes and impede our growth.
A significant barrier to electronic commerce and communications over the Internet in general has been a public concern over security and privacy, including the transmission of confidential information. If these concerns are not adequately addressed, they may inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online services generally, especially as a means of conducting commercial transactions. If a well-publicized Internet breach of security were to occur, general Internet usage could decline, which could cause our operations to be adversely affected.
Regulation and censorship of information disseminated over the Internet in China may adversely affect our business.
The PRC government has adopted regulations governing Internet access and the distribution of news and other information over the Internet. Under these regulations, Internet content providers and Internet publishers are prohibited from posting or displaying over the Internet content that, among other things, violates PRC laws and regulations, impairs the national dignity of China, or is reactionary, obscene, superstitious, fraudulent or defamatory. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the revocation of licenses to provide Internet content and other licenses and the closure of the concerned websites.
The Ministry of Public Security has the authority to order any local Internet service provider to block any Internet website at its sole discretion. From time to time, the Ministry of Public Security has stopped the dissemination over the Internet of information which it believes to be socially destabilizing. The State Secrecy Bureau is also authorized to block any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to meet the relevant regulations relating to the protection of State secrets in the dissemination of online information.
Such regulation and censorship could lead to a decrease in our customers’ interest in utilizing our internet cafes which would cause our operations to be adversely affected.
Intensified government regulation of Internet cafes could cause our operations to be adversely affected.
The PRC government has tightened its regulation of Internet cafes in recent years. In particular, a large number of unlicensed Internet cafes have been closed. In addition, the PRC government has imposed higher capital and facility requirements for the establishment of Internet cafes. Furthermore, the PRC government’s policy, which encourages the development of a limited number of national and regional Internet cafe chains and discourages the establishment of independent Internet cafes, may slow down the growth of Internet cafes. In June 2002, the Ministry of Culture, together with other government authorities, issued a joint notice, and in February 2004, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued another notice, suspending the issuance of new Internet cafe licenses. In May 2007, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce reiterated its position not to register any new Internet cafes in 2007. In 2008 and 2009, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and other relevant government authorities, individually or jointly, issued several notices that provide various ways to strengthen the regulation of Internet cafes, including investigating and punishing Internet cafes that accept minors, cracking down on Internet cafes without sufficient and valid licenses, limiting the total number of Internet cafes and approving Internet cafes within the planning made by relevant authorities, screening unlawful and adverse games and websites, and improving the coordination of regulation over Internet cafes and online games.
If we fail to successfully update our computer hardware, software, and systems to customer requirements or emerging industry standards, our business, prospects and financial results may be materially and adversely affected.
To remain competitive, we must continue to update the computer hardware, software and systems in our internet cafes. The computer industry is characterized by rapid technological evolution, changes in user requirements and preferences, frequent introductions of new products and services embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render our existing proprietary technologies and systems obsolete. If we are unable to adapt in a cost-effective and timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, whether for technical, legal, financial or other reasons, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.
We may be unable to adequately safeguard our intellectual property or we may face claims that may be costly to resolve or that limit our ability to use such intellectual property in the future.
Our business is reliant on our intellectual property. Our software SAFLASH is the result of our research and development efforts, which we believe to be proprietary and unique. However, we are unable to assure you that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us in respect of our intellectual property or that such claims will not be successful. It may be difficult for us to establish or protect our intellectual property against such third parties and we could incur substantial costs and diversion of management resources in defending any claims relating to proprietary rights. If any party succeeds in asserting a claim against us relating to the disputed intellectual property, we may need to obtain licenses to continue to use the same. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these licenses on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other rights could cause our business results to suffer.
Further, we rely upon a combination of trade secrets, non-disclosure and other contractual agreements with our employees as well as limitation of access to and distribution of our intellectual property in our efforts to protect intellectual property. However, our efforts in this regard may be inadequate to deter misappropriation of our proprietary information or we may be unable to detect unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce our rights. Policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and there can be no assurance that the steps taken by us will prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property.
Where litigation is necessary to safeguard our intellectual property, or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, this could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or future prospects.
We may not have sufficient insurance coverage and an interruption of our business or loss of a significant amount of property could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.
We currently do not maintain any insurance policies against loss of key personnel and business interruption as well as product liability claims. If such events were to occur, our business, financial performance and financial position may be materially and adversely affected.
Inability to maintain our competitiveness would adversely affect our financial performance.
We operate in a competitive environment and face competition from existing competitors and new market entrants. Some of these existing competitors, especially the national chains of internet cafés have more resources than us and may provide better services to customers.
There is no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the future. Any failure by us to remain competitive would adversely affect our financial performance.
We may be adversely affected by a significant or prolonged economic downturn in the level of consumer spending in the industries and markets served by our customers.
We rely on the spending of our customers in our cafés for our revenues, which may in turn depend on the customers’ level of disposable income, perceived future earning capabilities and willingness to spend. Any significant or prolonged decline of the PRC economy or economy of such markets served by our customers will affect consumers’ disposable income and consumer spending in these markets, and lead to a decrease in demand for consumer products.
To the extent that such decrease in demand for consumer products translates into a decline in the demand for internet café services, our performance will be adversely affected.
Revocation of the license for operating internet café chain will adversely affect our business.
We hold a license for operating a regional internet café chain in Shenzhen and each of our internet cafés obtains a license for the internet access services. These licenses are currently valid, and will continue to be valid within the term of the corresponding business licenses. These licenses do not need to be renewed unless there is change of information thereon. But the competent authorities are entitled to examine and reevaluate our internet cafés any time upon their initiatives or following orders of the higher-level authorities, and we must comply with the then prevailing standards and regulations which may change from time to time. Failure to comply with these changing standards and regulations could result in our licenses being revoked or suspended, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Furthermore, if escalating compliance costs associated with governmental standards and regulations restrict or prohibit any part of our operations, it may adversely affect our operations and profitability.
We may be unable to effectively manage our expansion.
We have identified several growth plans. These expansion plans may strain our financial resources. In addition, any significant growth into new markets may require an expansion of our employee base for managerial, operational, financial, and other purposes. During any growth, we may face problems related to our operational and financial systems and controls. We would also need to continue to expand, train and manage our employee base. Continued future growth will impose significant added responsibilities upon the members of management to identify, recruit, maintain, integrate, and motivate new employees.
If we are unable to successfully manage our expansion, we may encounter operational and financial difficulties which would in turn adversely affect our business and financial results.
We may require additional funding for our growth plans, and such funding may result in a dilution of your investment.
We attempted to estimate our funding requirements in order to implement our growth plans.
If the costs of implementing such plans should exceed these estimates significantly or if we come across opportunities to grow through expansion plans which cannot be predicted at this time, and our funds generated from our operations prove insufficient for such purposes, we may need to raise additional funds to meet these funding requirements.
These additional funds may be raised by issuing equity or debt securities or by borrowing from banks or other resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If we fail to obtain additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, we will not be able to implement such plans fully. Such financing even if obtained, may be accompanied by conditions that limit our ability to pay dividends or require us to seek lenders’ consent for payment of dividends, or restrict our freedom to operate our business by requiring lender’s consent for certain corporate actions.
Further, if we raise additional funds by way of a rights offering or through the issuance of new shares, any shareholders who are unable or unwilling to participate in such an additional round of fund raising may suffer dilution in their investment.
Our strategy to acquire companies may result in unsuitable acquisitions or failure to successfully integrate acquired companies, which could lead to reduced profitability.
We intend to expand our business through acquisitions of companies or operations similar to our own. We may be unsuccessful in identifying suitable acquisition candidates, or may be unable to consummate a desired acquisition. To the extent any future acquisitions are completed, we may be unsuccessful in integrating acquired companies or their operations, or if integration is more difficult than anticipated, we may experience disruptions that could have a material adverse impact on future profitability. Some of the risks that may affect our ability to integrate, or realize any anticipated benefits from, acquisitions include:
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unexpected losses of key employees or customer of the acquired company;
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difficulties integrating the acquired company's standards, processes, procedures and controls;
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difficulties hiring additional management and other critical personnel;
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difficulties increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations;
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difficulties consolidating facilities, transferring processes and know-how;
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difficulties reducing costs of the acquired company's business; and
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diversion of management's attention from our management.
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We may be exposed to potential risks relating to our internal controls over financial reporting.
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act. The Company’s management is also required to assess and report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 404”). Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the Company’s financial statements and that receipts and expenditures of company assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Our holding company structure may limit the payment of dividends.
We have no direct business operations, other than our ownership of our subsidiaries and contractual relationship with Junlong. While we have no current intention of paying dividends, should we decide in the future to do so, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiaries and other holdings and investments. In addition, our operating subsidiaries, from time to time, may be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including as a result of restrictive covenants in loan agreements, restrictions on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions as discussed below. If future dividends are paid in RMB, fluctuations in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB into U.S. dollars may reduce the amount received by U.S. stockholders upon conversion of the dividend payment into U.S. dollars. Further, dividends paid to non-PRC stockholders may be subject to a 10% withholding, as further discussed in a later section. Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a ‘resident enterprise’ of the PRC. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.”
PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our subsidiary in the PRC is also required to set aside a portion of its after tax profits according to PRC accounting standards and regulations to fund certain reserve funds. Currently, our subsidiary in the PRC is the only sources of revenues or investment holdings for the payment of dividends. If it does not accumulate sufficient profits under PRC accounting standards and regulations to first fund certain reserve funds as required by PRC accounting standards, we will be unable to pay any dividends.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JUNLONG
All of our revenues are generated through our VIE, and we rely on payments made by our VIE to Zhonghefangda, our subsidiary, pursuant to contractual arrangements to transfer any such revenues to Zhonghefangda. Any restriction on such payments and any increase in the amount of PRC taxes applicable to such payments may materially and adversely affect our business and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
We conduct substantially all of our operations through Junlong, our VIE, which generates all of our revenues. As Junlong is not owned by our subsidiary, it is not able to make dividend payments to our subsidiary. Instead, Zhonghefangda, our subsidiary in China, entered into a number of contracts with Junlong, including a Management and Consulting Services Agreement, an Equity Pledge Agreement, an Option Agreement and a Voting Rights Proxy Agreement, pursuant to which Junlong pays Zhonghefangda for certain services that Zhonghefangda provides to Junlong. However, depending on the nature of services provided, certain of these payments are subject to PRC taxes at different rates, including business taxes and VATs, which effectively reduce the amount that Zhonghefangda receives from Junlong. We cannot assure you that the PRC government will not impose restrictions on such payments or change the tax rates applicable to such payments. Any such restrictions on such payment or increases in the applicable tax rates may materially and adversely affect our ability to receive payments from Junlong or the amount of such payments, and may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, our net income and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Dishan Guo, Jinzhou Zeng, and Xiaofen Wang’s association with Junlong could pose a conflict of interest which may result in Junlong decisions that are adverse to our business.
Dishan Guo, Jinzhou Zeng and Xiaofen Wang, who hold controlling interest in Classic Bond are also controlling shareholders of our VIE. Conflicts of interests between their dual roles as owners of both Junlong and our company may arise. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these individuals will act in the best interests of our company or that any conflict of interest will be resolved in our favor. In addition, these individuals may breach or cause Junlong to breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements, which will have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively control Junlong and receive economic benefits from it. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the beneficial owners of Junlong, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, the outcome of which is uncertain and which could be disruptive to our business.
Messrs Guo, Zeng and Wang do not have a formalized dispute resolution agreement. However, it is anticipated that parties will resolve any conflict through mutual consultation and negotiations as is typical in China. Should such conflict endure, the parties will subject their dispute to be adjudicated before a court of competent jurisdiction in China.
If Junlong or the VIE Shareholders violate our contractual arrangements with it, our business could be disrupted and we may have to resort to litigation to enforce our rights which may be time consuming and expensive.
Our operations are currently dependent upon our commercial relationship with Junlong. If Junlong or their shareholders are unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under our commercial arrangements with them, including payment of revenues under the Management and Consulting Service Agreement, we will not be able to conduct our operations in the manner currently planned.
If the PRC government determines that the agreements establishing the structure for operating our China business do not comply with applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to severe penalties including being prohibited from continuing our operations in the PRC.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including Ministry of Commerce (the “MOFCOM ”), the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “ CSRC ”), the State Asset Supervision and Administration Commission (the “ SASAC ”), the State Administration of Taxation (the “ SAT ”), the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (the “ SAIC ”) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (the “ SAFE ”), jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule (the “ M&A Rule ”), which became effective on September 8, 2006. This new regulation, among other things, governs the approval process by which a PRC company may participate in an acquisition of assets or equity interests. In the opinion of our PRC counsel, China Commercial Law Firm, this approval process was not required in our case because we have not acquired either the equity or assets of a company located in the PRC, and that the VIE agreements do not constitute such an acquisition. If the PRC government were to take a contrary view, we might be subject to fines or other enforcement action, and might be forced to amend or terminate our contractual arrangements with Junlong, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
Uncertainties in the PRC legal system may impede our ability to enforce the commercial agreements that we have entered into with Junlong or any arbitral award thereunder and any inability to enforce these agreements could materially and adversely affect our business and operation.
While disputes under the Consulting Agreement with Junlong are subject to binding arbitration before the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, or CIETAC, in accordance with CIETAC Arbitration Rules, the agreements are governed by PRC law and an arbitration award may be challenged in accordance with PRC law. For example, a claim that the enforcement of an award in our favor will be detrimental to the public interest, or that an issue does not fall within the scope of the arbitration would require us to engage in administrative and judicial proceedings to defend an award. PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes and unlike common law systems, it is a system in which decided legal cases have little value as precedent. As a result, PRC administrative and judicial authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, and it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and judicial proceedings and the level of legal protection available than in more developed legal systems. These uncertainties may impede our ability to enforce the terms of the Consulting Agreement and the other contracts that we may enter into with Junlong. Any inability to enforce the Consulting Agreement or an award thereunder could materially and adversely affect our business and operation.
Our arrangements with Junlong and the VIE Shareholders may be subject to a transfer pricing adjustment by the PRC tax authorities which could have an adverse effect on our income and expenses.
We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contracts with Junlong and the VIE Shareholders were not entered into based on arm’s length negotiations. If the PRC tax authorities determine that these contracts were not entered into on an arm’s length basis, they may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. Such an adjustment may require that we pay additional PRC taxes plus applicable penalties and interest, if any.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN THE PRC
New labor law in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the National People’s Congress promulgated the Labor Contract Law of PRC, or the Labor Law, which became effective as of January 1, 2008. On September 18, 2008, the PRC State Council issued the PRC Labor Contract Law Implementation Rules, which became effective as of the date of issuance. The Labor Law and its implementation rules are intended to give employees long-term job security by, among other things, requiring employers to enter into written contracts with their employees and restricting the use of temporary workers. The Labor Law and its implementation rules impose greater liabilities on employers, require certain terminations to be based upon seniority rather than merit and significantly affect the cost of an employer’s decision to reduce its workforce. Employment contracts lawfully entered into prior to the implementation of the Labor Law and continuing after the date of its implementation remain legally binding and the parties to such contracts are required to continue to perform their respective obligations thereunder. However, employment relationships established prior to the implementation of the Labor Law without a written employment agreement were required to be memorialized by a written employment agreement that satisfies the requirements of the Labor Law within one month after it became effective on January 1, 2008. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the New Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost effective manner, thus materially and adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption law, and any determination that we violated such laws could hurt our business.
We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We are also subject to Chinese anti-corruption laws, which strictly prohibit bribery. We have operations, agreements with third parties and make sales in the PRC, which may experience corruption. Our activities in the PRC create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of the employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors of our Company, even though these parties are not always subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and our employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption law may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the United States government may seek to hold us liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.
Changes in PRC political or economic situation could harm us and our operating results.
Some of the changes in PRC political or economic situation that could harm us and our operating results are the:
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level of government involvement in the economy;
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control of foreign exchange;
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methods of allocating resources;
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balance of payments position;
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international trade restrictions; and
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international conflict.
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The PRC economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, in many ways. For example, state-owned enterprises still constitute a large portion of the PRC economy and weak corporate governance and a lack of flexible currency exchange policy still prevail in the PRC. As a result of these differences, we may not develop in the same way or at the same rate as might be expected if the PRC economy was similar to those of the OECD member countries.
Our business is largely subject to the uncertain legal environment in China and your legal protection could be limited.
The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which precedents set in earlier legal cases are not generally used. The overall effect of legislation enacted over the past 20 years has been to enhance the legal protections afforded to foreign invested enterprises in the PRC. However, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent and are evolving rapidly, and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to foreign investors, such as the right of foreign invested enterprises to hold licenses and permits such as requisite business licenses. In addition, all of our executive officers and our directors are residents of the PRC and not of the U.S., and substantially all the assets of these persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to effect service of process in the U.S., or to enforce a judgment obtained in the U.S. against our PRC operations and our controlled VIE.
The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.
The PRC only recently has permitted provincial and local economic autonomy and private economic activities. The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the PRC economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in the PRC may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. We believe that our operations in the PRC are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.
Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in the PRC or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in PRC properties or joint ventures.
Future inflation in the PRC may inhibit our ability to conduct business in the PRC.
In recent years, the PRC economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and highly fluctuating rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in the PRC has been as high as 20.7% and as low as -2.2%. These factors have led to the adoption by the PRC government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in the PRC, and thereby harm the market for our products and our company.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues effectively.
The majority of our revenues will be settled in Renminbi and any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenue generated in Renminbi to fund any future business activities outside the PRC or to make dividend or other payments in U.S. dollars. Current significant currency exchange restrictions include the restriction that foreign-invested enterprises may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents, at those banks in the PRC authorized to conduct foreign exchange business. In addition, conversion of Renminbi for capital account items, including direct investment and loans, is subject to governmental approval in the PRC, and companies are required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. We cannot be certain that the PRC regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident stockholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC controlled VIEs, limit our PRC controlled VIEs’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.
On October 21, 2005, the State Administration for Foreign Exchange of the PRC (“ SAFE ”) issued a Circular on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration on the Financing and Return Investment by Chinese Domestic Residents through Overseas Special Purpose Companies (“ Circular 75 ”), which became effective on November 1, 2005. Circular 75 and its relevant implementing rules issued thereafter regulate the foreign exchange matters in relation to the use of a “special purpose vehicle” by PRC residents to seek offshore equity financing and conduct “round trip investment” in China. Under Circular 75, a “special purpose vehicle” or “SPV” refers to an offshore entity established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by PRC residents or PRC entities for the purpose of seeking offshore equity financing using assets or interests owned by such PRC residents or PRC entities in onshore companies, while “round trip investment” refers to the direct investment in China by PRC residents through the “ SPV ”, including without limitation establishing foreign invested enterprises and using such foreign invested enterprises to purchase or control (by way of contractual arrangements) onshore assets. Pursuant to Circular 75, (i) a PRC resident shall register with a local branch of the SAFE before he or she establishes or controls an overseas SPV, for the purpose of overseas equity financing (including convertible debt financing); (ii) when a PRC resident contributes the assets of or his or her equity interests in a domestic enterprise to an SPV, or engages in overseas financing after contributing assets or equity interests to an SPV, such PRC resident must register his or her interest in the SPV and any subsequent changes in such interest with a local branch of the SAFE; and (iii) when the SPV undergoes a material change outside of China, such as a change in share capital or merger or acquisition, the PRC resident shall, within 30 days from the occurrence of the event that triggers the change, register such change with a local branch of the SAFE. In addition, the PRC subsidiary of the offshore SPV are prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to their offshore special purpose vehicle parent companies if the SPV shareholders who are PRC residents have not completed foreign exchange registration pursuant to Circular 75. If any PRC resident stockholder of a SPV fails to make the required SAFE registration and amended registration, the onshore PRC subsidiaries of that offshore company may be prohibited from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore entity. Failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
Our current shareholders, who are PRC residents as defined in Circular 75, (the “ PRC Shareholders ”) have not completed the necessary registrations as required under Circular 75. We have already asked our PRC Shareholders to make up the necessary applications and registrations as required under Circular 75 and related regulations, and our PRC Shareholders have agreed to do so immediately. However, we cannot assure you that our PRC Shareholders will be able to make up the necessary approval and registration procedures required by the Circular 75 and related regulations. Failure by the PRC Shareholders to register as required with the relevant local branch of SAFE could subject them to fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into or provide loans to (including using the proceeds from this offering) our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiary’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise distribute profits to us, or otherwise adversely affect us.
The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may be required in connection with this offering under PRC regulations. The regulation also establishes more complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors that could make it more difficult for us to grow through acquisitions.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, promulgated the Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors , which became effective on September 8, 2006 (the “ M&A Rules ”). The M&A Rules requires offshore special purpose vehicles that are controlled by PRC companies or residents and that have been formed for the purpose of seeking a public listing on an overseas stock exchange through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies or assets to obtain CSRC approval prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its website specifying the documents and materials that special purpose vehicles are required to submit when seeking CSRC approval for their listings outside of China. The interpretation and application of the M&A Rules remain unclear, and this offering may ultimately require approval from the CSRC, and if it does, it is uncertain how long it will take us to obtain the approval. If CSRC approval is required for this offering, our failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for this offering would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the offering.
Our PRC counsel, China Commercial Law Firm, has advised us that, based on their understanding of the current PRC laws, regulations and rules and the procedures announced on September 21, 2006, because (i) we established our PRC subsidiary by means of direct investment other than by merger or acquisition of the equity or assets of Junlong, and (ii) our VIE between our PRC subsidiary and Junlong does not constitute the acquisition of our PRC subsidiary, we are not required to apply with the CSRC for the approval of the listing and offering on the OTCBB market.
The M&A Rules also established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies. We may grow our business in part by acquiring other companies operating in our industry. Complying with the requirements of the M&A Rules to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from Ministry of Commerce, 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 M&A Rules, along with foreign exchange regulations discussed in the above subsection, will be interpreted or implemented by the relevant government authorities in connection with our future offshore financings or acquisitions, and we cannot predict how they will affect our business development strategy.
Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
Under the new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and its implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a PRC enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.
On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation non-PRC enterprise or group controlled offshore entities. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a PRC enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operation reside or perform their duties mainly in the PRC; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in the PRC; (iii) its substantial properties, accounting books, corporate chops, board and shareholder minutes are kept in the PRC; and (iv) half of the directors with voting rights or senior management often resident in the PRC. Such resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC shareholders. However, it remains unclear as to whether the Notice is applicable to an offshore enterprise incorporated by a PRC natural person. Nor are detailed measures on imposition of tax from non-domestically incorporated resident enterprises available. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.
However, as our case substantially meets the foregoing criteria, there is a likelihood that we are deemed to be a resident enterprise by PRC tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on financing proceeds and non-PRC source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring our shares. We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the 2008 tax year and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.
If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the U.S. and the PRC, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax.
The value of our securities will be affected by the currency exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB.
The value of our Common Stock will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB, and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. For example, if we need to convert U.S. dollars into RMB for our operational needs and the RMB appreciates against the U.S. dollar at that time, our financial position, our business, and the price of our Common Stock may be harmed. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of declaring dividends on our Common Stock or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the RMB, the U.S. dollar equivalent of our earnings from our subsidiaries in the PRC would be reduced.
RISKS RELATED TO THE MARKET FOR OUR STOCK
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board which may have an unfavorable impact on our stock price and liquidity.
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. The OTC Bulletin Board is a significantly more limited market than the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ stock markets. The quotation of our shares on the OTC Bulletin Board means there is a less liquid market available for existing and potential stockholders to trade shares of our Common Stock. The limited liquidity could depress the trading price of our Common Stock and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future.
You may have difficulty trading and obtaining quotations for our Common Stock.
Our Common Stock does not trade, and the bid and asked prices for our Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board may fluctuate widely in the future. As a result, investors may find it difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations of the price of, our securities. This severely limits the liquidity of the Common Stock, and would likely reduce the market price of our Common Stock and hamper our ability to raise additional capital.
The market price of our Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.
Dramatic fluctuations in the price of our Common Stock may make it difficult to sell our Common Stock. The market price of our Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors that are beyond our control, including:
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·
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dilution caused by our issuance of additional shares of Common Stock and other forms of equity securities, which we expect to make in the Offering and in connection with future capital financings to fund our operations and growth, to attract and retain valuable personnel and in connection with future strategic partnerships with other companies;
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·
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variations in our quarterly operating results;
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·
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announcements that our revenue or income are below or that costs or losses are greater than analysts’ expectations;
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·
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the general economic slowdown;
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|
·
|
sales of large blocks of our Common Stock;
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|
·
|
announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; and
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·
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fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes;
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These and other factors are largely beyond our control, and the impact of these risks, singly or in the aggregate, may result in material adverse changes to the market price of our Common Stock and/or our results of operations and financial condition.
We do not expect to pay dividends on our Common Stock in the future.
We have paid no cash dividends on our Common Stock in the past and do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We anticipate that we will reinvest profits from our operations, if any, into our business. We cannot assure you that we will ever pay dividends to holders of our Common Stock. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their Common Stock, and stockholders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all. Investors cannot be assured of a positive return on investment or that they will not lose the entire amount of their investment in the Common Stock.
You may be diluted if we issue additional equity securities.
We anticipate issuing additional equity securities in the future. There can be no assurance that the pricing of any such additional securities will not be lower than the price at which you purchased your securities in this Offering. If and when we issue additional securities, it is possible that your percentage interest in us will be diluted further.
We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define so-called “penny stocks” to be an equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exemptions. If our Common Stock becomes a “penny stock,” we may become subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act, or the Penny Stock Rule. This rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that sell such securities to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors” (generally, individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual incomes exceeding $200,000, or $300,000 together with their spouses). For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to sale. As a result, this rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and may affect the ability of purchasers to sell any of our securities in the secondary market.
For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require delivery, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. Disclosure is also required to be made about sales commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements are required to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stock.
There can be no assurance that our Common Stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any event, even if our Common Stock were exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the SEC the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock, if the SEC finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.
Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including SOX and related SEC regulations, have created uncertainty for public companies and significantly increased the costs and risks associated with accessing the public markets and public reporting. Our management team will need to invest significant management time and financial resources to comply with both existing and evolving standards for public companies, which will lead to increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.
Certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation may make it more difficult for a third party to effect a change-in-control.
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to 50 million shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board of Directors without further action by the stockholders. These terms may include voting rights including the right to vote as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights and redemption rights provisions. The issuance of any preferred stock could diminish the rights of holders of our Common Stock, and therefore could reduce the value of such Common Stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of the Board of Directors to issue preferred stock could make it more difficult, delay, discourage, prevent or make it more costly to acquire or effect a change-in-control, which in turn could prevent the stockholders from recognizing a gain in the event that a favorable offer is extended and could materially and negatively affect the market price of our Common Stock.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from any sales of the shares offered for sale and sold under this prospectus by the selling stockholders. To the extent the warrants are exercised for cash, we will receive the exercise price for those warrants. We intend to use the proceeds from the exercise of the warrants for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We cannot assure you that any of the warrants will ever be exercised or exercised for cash, if at all. To the extent that the warrants are exercised on a cashless basis, we will not receive any proceeds from the exercise of the warrants.
Not applicable. We are not offering any shares in this registration statement. All shares are being registered on behalf of our selling shareholders.
The securities being offered hereunder are being offered by the selling shareholders listed below or their respective transferees, pledgees, donees or successors. Each selling shareholder may from time to time offer and sell any or all of such selling shareholder’s shares that are registered under this prospectus. Because no selling shareholder is obligated to sell shares, and because the selling shareholders may also acquire publicly traded shares of our Common Stock, we cannot accurately estimate how many shares each selling shareholder will own after the offering.
All expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the Common Stock covered by this prospectus will be borne by us, but we will not be obligated to pay any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions or other expenses incurred by any selling shareholder in connection with the sale of shares.
None of the Selling Stockholders has been an officer or director of the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates within the last three years, nor has any Selling Stockholder had a material relationship with the Company.
Except for TriPoint Global Equities, LLC and Syndicated Capital, Inc., none of the Selling Stockholders is a broker dealer or an affiliate of a broker dealer. None of the Selling Stockholders including TriPoint Global and Syndicated Capital, Inc. have any agreement or understanding to distribute any of the shares being registered.
Patrick Gaynes, John Finley, Jason Stein, Michael Graichen, Karl Birkenfeld, Brian Wood, Andrew Kramer and Qian Xu are employees of TriPoint Global Equities. Michael Dimeo is a broker at Syndicated Capital, Inc.
The following table sets forth, with respect to the selling shareholders (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of July 12, 2011 and prior to the offering contemplated hereby, (ii) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be sold by the selling shareholders under this prospectus, and (iii) the number of shares of Common Stock which will be owned after the offering by the selling shareholders. All shareholders listed below are eligible to sell their shares. The percentage ownerships set forth below are based on 21,124,967 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
Name of
Shareholder
|
|
Total
Number
of Shares
of
Common
Stock
Held
Prior to
Offering
|
|
|
Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock Held
and Offered
Pursuant to
this
Prospectus
|
|
|
Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Underlying the
Preferred Shares
and Warrants
Held and
Offered
Pursuant to the
Prospectus
|
|
|
Shares
Beneficially
Owned Before
Offering
(Percentage)
(1)(2)
|
|
|
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After
the Offering
(Number) (1)
|
|
|
Shares
Beneficially
Owned After
the Offering
(Percentage)
(1)(2)
|
|
|
Acquisition
Price per
Share
|
|
BBS Capital Fund, LP (3)
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
280,000
|
|
|
|
260,000
|
|
|
|
1.31
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Dennis Jason Wong, Sole Trustee of the Dennis and Shannon Wong Family Trust (4)
|
|
|
17,000
|
|
|
|
238,000
|
|
|
|
221,000
|
|
|
|
1.11
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
DSEA Wong Foundation (5)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
SPI Hawaii Investments, LP (6)
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
|
322,000
|
|
|
|
299,000
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Greg Freihofner
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
70,000
|
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Steven Cooley Smith
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
|
52,500
|
|
|
|
48,750
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Gary Reed Hawkins
|
|
|
12,280
|
|
|
|
171,920
|
|
|
|
159,640
|
|
|
|
0.81
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Daybreak Special Situations Master Fund (7)
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
42,000
|
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Robert Lee Moody, Jr.
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Haus Capital Fund, LLP (8)
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
70,000
|
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Silver Rock II, Ltd (9)
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
|
195,000
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
MKM Opportunity Master Fund, Ltd (10)
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
112,000
|
|
|
|
104,000
|
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Lennox Capital Partners, LP (11)
|
|
|
37,000
|
|
|
|
518,000
|
|
|
|
481,000
|
|
|
|
2.39
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Squires Family LP (12)
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
196,000
|
|
|
|
182,000
|
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Rushlade Investments Ltd (13)
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
105,000
|
|
|
|
97,500
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Cranshire Capital, LP (14)
|
|
|
7,400
|
|
|
|
103,600
|
|
|
|
96,200
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
John Charles Kleinert
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Venturetek, L.P. (15)
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
|
182,000
|
|
|
|
169,000
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Stephen S. Taylor Roth IRA c/o First Clearing, LLC (16)
|
|
|
37,000
|
|
|
|
518,000
|
|
|
|
481,000
|
|
|
|
2.39
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Taylor International Fund, Ltd (17)
|
|
|
112,000
|
|
|
|
1,568,000
|
|
|
|
1,456,000
|
|
|
|
6.91
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Blue Earth Fund, LP (18)
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Paul Hickey
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Joseph J Amiel Money Purchase Plan (19)
|
|
|
1,850
|
|
|
|
25,900
|
|
|
|
24,050
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Dynacap Global Capital Fund II LP (20)
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
56,000
|
|
|
|
52,000
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
John David Bell
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
42,000
|
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Kari Ekholm
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
26,000
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Tommy Dilling
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
15,750
|
|
|
|
14,625
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Peter Ekberg
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
15,750
|
|
|
|
14,625
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Kristian Stensjo and Pernilla Stensjo
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
|
|
19,500
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Enebybergs Revisionsbyra AB (21)
|
|
|
5,600
|
|
|
|
78,400
|
|
|
|
72,800
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Minti Global Investment 2KB (22)
|
|
|
14,814
|
|
|
|
207,396
|
|
|
|
192,582
|
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
P.J. Levay Lawrence
|
|
|
7,200
|
|
|
|
100,800
|
|
|
|
93,600
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
P.K. Solutions AB (23)
|
|
|
7,425
|
|
|
|
103,950
|
|
|
|
96,525
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Heinrich H Foerster
|
|
|
1,600
|
|
|
|
22,400
|
|
|
|
20,800
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Jesper Kronborg
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
|
|
19,500
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Garolf AB
|
|
|
11,125
|
|
|
|
155,750
|
|
|
|
144,625
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Peter Gustafsson
|
|
|
3,705
|
|
|
|
51,870
|
|
|
|
48,165
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Ferghal O'Regan
|
|
|
11,200
|
|
|
|
156,800
|
|
|
|
145,600
|
|
|
|
0.74
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
David Sandgren
|
|
|
5,185
|
|
|
|
72,590
|
|
|
|
67,405
|
|
|
|
0.34
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Niklas Flisberg
|
|
|
7,400
|
|
|
|
103,600
|
|
|
|
96,200
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Robin Whaite
|
|
|
6,500
|
|
|
|
91,000
|
|
|
|
84,500
|
|
|
|
0.43
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Herbert Verse
|
|
|
2,150
|
|
|
|
30,100
|
|
|
|
27,950
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Olive or Twist Limited (24)
|
|
|
3,333
|
|
|
|
46,662
|
|
|
|
43,329
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
ULF Sorvik
|
|
|
3,700
|
|
|
|
51,800
|
|
|
|
48,100
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Hans Waren
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
42,000
|
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Paul Maas
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
TriPoint Global Equities, LLC (25)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
344,218
|
|
|
|
344,218
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Patrick Gaynes (26)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
1,983
|
|
|
|
1,983
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Jason Stein (27)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
36,544
|
|
|
|
36,544
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Michael Graichen (28)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
43,134
|
|
|
|
43,134
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Karl Birkenfeld (29)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
8,222
|
|
|
|
8,222
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
John Finley (30)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Brian Wood (31)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Andrew Kramer (32)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
31,500
|
|
|
|
31,500
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Qian Xu (33)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Syndicated Capital, Inc. (34)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
36,817
|
|
|
|
36,817
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Michael Dimeo (35)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
36,815
|
|
|
|
36,815
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Halycon Cabot Partners, LLC (36)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
4,725
|
|
|
|
4,725
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
$
|
1.35
|
|
Total
|
|
|
474,967
|
|
|
|
7,274,996
|
|
|
|
6,773,029
|
|
|
|
33.48
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Under applicable SEC rules, a person is deemed to beneficially own securities which the person has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of any option or warrant or through the conversion of a convertible security. Also under applicable SEC rules, a person is deemed to be the “beneficial owner” of a security with regard to which the person directly or indirectly, has or shares (a) voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of the security, or (b) investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or direct the disposition, of the security, in each case, irrespective of the person’s economic interest in the security. Each listed selling stockholder has the sole investment and voting power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by such selling stockholder, except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table.
|
|
(2)
|
As of July 12, 2011, there were 21,124,967 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding. In determining the percent of Common Stock beneficially owned by a selling shareholder as of July 12, 2011, (a) the numerator is the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such selling shareholder (including the shares that he has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 12, 2011, and (b) the denominator is the sum of (i) the 21,124,967 shares of Common Stock outstanding on July 12, 2011 and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock which such selling shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days of July 12, 2011.
|
|
(3)
|
Berke Bakay has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(4)
|
Dennis Jason Wong has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(5)
|
Dennis Jason Wong has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(6)
|
Dennis Jason Wong has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(7)
|
Larry Butz and John Prinz have voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(8)
|
William Haus has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(9)
|
Ezzat Jallad has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(10)
|
David Skriloff has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(11)
|
Richard Squires has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(12)
|
Richard Squires has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(13)
|
Anthony Heller has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(14)
|
Keith Goodman has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(15)
|
David Selengut and Dov Perlysky have the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(16)
|
Steven S. Taylor has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(17)
|
Steven S. Taylor has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(18)
|
Brett Conrad has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(19)
|
Joseph Amiel has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(20)
|
Charles Smith has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder .
|
|
(21)
|
Lars Svantemark has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(22)
|
Ulf Ivarsson has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(23)
|
Peter Gustafsson has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(24)
|
Joel Wahlstrom has the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(25)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged TriPoint Global Equities, LLC (“TriPoint”) as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for TriPoint’s services, we issued TriPoint three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 396,018 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. TriPoint is a registered broker-dealer. Mark Elenowitz and Michael Boswell have the voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(26)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Patrick Gaynes as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Gaynes’ services, we issued Mr. Gaynes three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,983 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Gaynes is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Gaynes has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(27)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Jason Stein as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Stein’s services, we issued Mr. Stein three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 36,544 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Stein is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Stein has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(28)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Michael Graichen as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Graichen’s services, we issued Mr. Graichen three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 43,134 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Graichen is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Graichen has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(29)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Karl Birkenfeld as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Birkenfeld’s services, we issued Mr. Birkenfeld three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 8,222 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Birkenfeld is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Birkenfeld has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(30)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged John Finley as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Finley’s services, we issued Mr. Finley three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 15,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Finley is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Finley has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(31)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Brian Wood as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Wood’s services, we issued Mr. Wood three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 15,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Wood is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Wood has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(32)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Andrew Kramer as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Mr. Kramer’s services, we issued Mr. Kramer three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 31,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Mr. Kramer is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Mr. Kramer has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(33)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Qian Xu as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Qian Xu’s services, we issued Qian Xu three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 24,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Qian Xu is a registered broker-dealer with TriPoint Global Equities, LLC. Qian Xu has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(34)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Syndicated Capital, Inc. (“Syndicated”) as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Syndicated’s services, we issued Syndicated three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 36,817 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Syndicated is a registered broker-dealer. Lloyd McAdams has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(35)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Michael Dimeo (“Dimeo”) as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Dimeo’s services, we issued Dimeo three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 36,815 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Dimeo is a registered broker-dealer with Syndicated Capital, Inc. Mr. Dimeo has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
|
(36)
|
In connection with the February 2011 Offering, we engaged Halycon Cabot Partners, LLC (“Halycon”) as one of our placement agents. As part of the consideration for Halycon’s services, we issued Halycon three year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 4,725 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.35 per share. Halycon is a registered broker-dealer. Michael Morris has the sole voting and dispositive power over the securities held for the account of this selling stockholder.
|
We are not aware of any selling shareholder maintaining a short position on our Common Stock.
Other than as shareholders of the Company and as parties to the various agreement set out in the “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities” section below, we do not have any other relationships and arrangements with the selling shareholders.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling shareholders may sell the Common Stock offered by this prospectus directly or through brokers or dealers who may act solely as agents or may acquire Common Stock as principals. Such sales may be made at prevailing market prices, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at variable prices negotiated between the sellers and purchasers. The selling shareholders may distribute the Common Stock in one or more of the following methods:
|
·
|
ordinary brokers transactions, which may include long or short sales through the facilities of the OTC Bulletin Board (if a market maker successfully applies for inclusion of our Common Stock in such market) or other market;
|
|
·
|
privately negotiated transactions;
|
|
·
|
transactions involving cross or block trades or otherwise on the open market;
|
|
·
|
sales “at the market” to or through market makers or into an existing market for the Common Stock;
|
|
·
|
sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales made through agents;
|
|
·
|
through transactions in puts, calls, options, swaps or other derivatives (whether exchange listed or otherwise); or
|
|
·
|
any combination of the above, or by any other legally available means.
|
In addition, the selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers who may engage in short sales of Common Stock, or options or other transactions that require delivery by broker-dealers of the Common Stock.
The selling shareholders and/or the purchasers of Common Stock may compensate brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents with discounts, concessions or commissions (compensation may be in excess of customary commissions). The selling shareholders and any broker dealers acting in connection with the sale of the shares being registered may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, as amended, and any profit realized by them on the resale of shares as principals may be deemed underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. We do not know of any arrangements between the selling shareholders and any broker, dealer, or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares being registered.
We and the selling shareholders and any other persons participating in a distribution of our Common Stock will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M, which may restrict certain activities of, and limit the timing of purchases and sales of securities by, these parties and other persons participating in a distribution of securities. Furthermore, under Regulation M, persons engaged in a distribution of securities are prohibited from simultaneously engaging in market making and certain other activities with respect to such securities for a specified period of time prior to the commencement of such distributions subject to specified exceptions or exemptions.
The selling shareholders may sell any securities that this prospectus covers under Rule 144 of the Securities Act rather than under this prospectus if they qualify.
We cannot assure you that the selling shareholders will sell any of their shares of Common Stock.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the selling shareholders will sell the Common Stock in jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the selling shareholders may not sell or offer the Common Stock unless the holder registers the sale of the shares of Common Stock in the applicable state or the applicable state qualifies the Common Stock for sale in that state, or the applicable state exempts the Common Stock from the registration or qualification requirement.
We have agreed to pay all fees and expenses incident to the registration of the shares being offered under this prospectus (estimated to be $68,262). However each selling shareholder is responsible for paying any discounts, commissions and similar selling expenses they incur.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders whose shares we are registering from all liability and losses resulting from any misrepresentations we make in connection with the registration statement.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
The following is a summary of our capital stock and certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, as amended and by the provisions of Nevada law.
General
We are authorized to issue (i) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.00001 per share.
Common Stock
As of July 12, 2011, there are 21,124,967 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, on all matters that may be voted upon by the owners thereof at meetings of the shareholders. Holders of our Common Stock:
|
(i)
|
have equal ratable rights to dividends from funds legally available therefore, if declared by our Board of Directors,
|
|
(ii)
|
are entitled to share ratably in all our assets available for distribution to holders of Common Stock upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up;
|
|
(iii)
|
do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions; and
|
|
(iv)
|
are entitled to one non-cumulative vote per share on all matters on which shareholders may vote at all meetings of our shareholders.
|
Non-Cumulative Voting
The holders of shares of our Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of outstanding shares voting for the election of directors can elect all of our directors if they so choose and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any of our directors.
Cash Dividends
Junlong declared a dividend distribution to Dishan Guo, Jinzhou Zeng, Xiaojiang Yang and Xiaofen Wang on December 31, 2008, totaling RMB 20 million (approximately US$2.9 million). Our Board of Directors will make any future decisions regarding dividends. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends within one year. Our Board of Directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends, subject to the approval of our stockholders. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Series A Preferred Shares
Preferred Shares may be divided into series and issued by the Board of Directors on such terms as it may determine prior to their issuance. On February 16, 2011, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights for 5% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) as an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation.
For each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock, dividends shall be payable quarterly, at the rate of 5% per annum. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative from and after the date of the initial issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Until conversion, the Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights other than with respect to matters that may adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Upon liquidation of the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid, prior to any distribution to any holders of Common Stock, or any other class or series of stock issued hereafter or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, an amount equal to $1.35 per share plus the amount of any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon,as of the date of liquidation (the “Series A Liquidation Preference Amount”).
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock at the option of the holder may be convertible into a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount divided by (ii) the Conversion Price in effect as of the date of the Conversion Notice
Warrants
We issued warrants to purchase, in the aggregate, 2,498,326 shares of Common Stock to the in the Offering. Each warrant has a term of three years from the date of issuance and an exercise price of $2.00 for Series A Warrants, $3.00 for Series B Warrants, and $1.35 for Placement Agent Warrants. For more information regarding the material terms of the warrants, please refer to the “Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities” section below.
INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
No "expert" or "counsel" as defined by Item 509 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, whose services were used in the preparation of this Form S-1, was hired on a contingent basis or will receive a direct or indirect interest in us or our parents or subsidiaries, nor was any of them a promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee of the Company.
Our Corporate History
We were incorporated under the name China Unitech Group, Inc. in the State of Nevada on March 14, 2006. From our office in China, we planned to operate in the online travel business using the website www.chinabizhotel.com . The website was planned to offer viewers the ability to book hotel rooms in China and earn us booking fees from the respective hotels. However, we did not engage in any operations and were dormant from our inception until our reverse acquisition of Classic Bond on July 2, 2010. As a result of the reverse acquisition, we ceased to be a shell company on July 2, 2010.
Acquisition of Classic Bond
On July 2, 2010, we completed a reverse acquisition transaction through a share exchange with Classic Bond and its shareholders, whereby we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond, in exchange for 19,000,000 shares of our Common Stock, which shares constituted 94% of our issued and outstanding shares on a fully-diluted basis, as of and immediately after the consummation of the reverse acquisition. As a result of the reverse acquisition, Classic Bond became our wholly owned subsidiary and the former shareholders of Classic Bond, became our controlling shareholders. The share exchange transaction with Classic Bond was treated as a reverse acquisition, with Classic Bond as the acquirer and China Unitech Group, Inc. as the acquired party. Unless the context suggests otherwise, when we refer in this report to business and financial information for periods prior to the consummation of the reverse acquisition, we are referring to the business and financial information of Classic Bond and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, Xuezheng Yuan, our sole director and officer, submitted a resignation letter pursuant to which he resigned, with immediate effect, from all offices that he held and from his position as our sole director that became effective on the August 13 2010, ten days following the mailing by us of an information statement to our stockholders complying with the requirements of Section 14f-1 of the Exchange Act (the “Information Statement”). Also upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, our Board of Directors increased its size from one to five members and appointed Dishan Guo, Zhenquan Guo, Lei Li, Wenbin An and Lizong Wang to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Xuezheng Yuan and such increase. Mr. Dishan Guo's appointment became effective upon closing of the reverse acquisition, while the remaining appointments became effective on August 13, 2010, the tenth day following our mailing of the Information Statement to our stockholders. In addition, our executive officers were replaced by the Classic Bond executive officers upon the closing of the reverse acquisition as indicated in more detail below.
As a result of our acquisition of Classic Bond, we now own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond. Classic Bond was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on November 2, 2009 to serve as an investment holding company. Junlong was incorporated in the PRC in December 2003. It obtained its first licenses from the Ministry of Culture to operate an internet café chain in 2005 and opened its first internet café in April 2006.
On July 2, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a change in our fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31, which was effectuated in connection with the reverse acquisition transaction described above.
On January 20, 2011, China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc. (the “Company”) filed with the Nevada Secretary of State an amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to give effect to a name change from “China Unitech Group, Inc.” to “China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.” The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were approved by our Board of Directors on July 30, 2010 and were approved by a stockholder holding 59.45% of our outstanding Common Stock by written consent on July 30, 2010. In connection with the name change, on January 25, 2011, the Company filed an Issuer Company-Related Action Notification Form with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) requesting a name change from “China Unitech Group, Inc.” to “China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.” as well as an OTC voluntary symbol change from “CUIG” to “CICC.” These changes became effective on February 1, 2011. Our Common Stock began trading under the Company’s new name on the Over-the Counter Bulletin Boards on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 under our new trading symbol “CICC.”
On February 16, 2011, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights for the 5% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “ Certificate of Designation ”) as an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Certificate of Designation.
For each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock, dividends shall be payable quarterly, at the rate of 5% per annum, on or before each date that is thirty days following the last day of each June, September, December and March of each year. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue and be cumulative from and after the date of the initial issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Upon liquidation of the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid, prior to any distribution to any holders of Common Stock, or any other class or series of stock issued hereafter or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, an amount equal to $1.35 per share plus the amount of any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, as of the date of liquidation (the “ Series A Liquidation Preference Amount ”).
Each share of Series A Preferred Stock at the option of the holder may be convertible into a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount divided by (ii) the Conversion Price in effect as of the date of the Conversion Notice.
Until conversion, the Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights other than with respect to matters that may adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
The description of the Series A Preferred Stock above is qualified in its entirety by reference to a copy of the Certificate of Designation attached to this Registration Statement on Form S-1.
On February 22, 2011, in connection with a security purchase agreement between the Company and the investors identified on Exhibit A thereto (collectively, the “Investors”), we closed a private placement of approximately $6.4 million from offering a total of 474,967 units (the “Units”) at a purchase price of $13.50 per Unit, each consisting of:(i) nine shares of the Company’s 5% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “ Preferred Shares ”), convertible on a one to one basis into nine shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”); (ii) one share of Common Stock; (iii) two three-year Series A Warrants (the “Series A Warrants”),each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.00 per share; and (iv) two three-year Series B Warrants (the “Series B Warrants”), each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, to purchase one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
Business Overview
We operate a chain of 55 internet cafés in Shenzhen, Guangdong, PRC that are generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide modern internet café facilities and we believe we are the largest internet café chain in Shenzhen. We provide internet access at prices that are affordable to both students and migrant workers. Although we sell snacks, drinks, and game access cards, over 95% of our revenue comes from selling access time to our computers. We sell internet café memberships to our customers. Members purchase prepaid IC cards (a pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can be used for identification, authentication, data storage and application processing), which include stored value that will be deducted based on time usage of a computer at the internet café. The cards are only sold at our cafés. We deduct the amount that reflects the access time used by a customer when the customer’s IC card is inserted into the IC card slot on the computer.
The 55 Internet cafes that we operate are categorized into small, medium, and large cafes. The parameters and number of each type of store are provided in the table below:
Store Size
|
|
Number
of Stores
|
|
Description of Cafe
|
|
|
|
|
|
Small
|
|
6
|
|
Large cafes contain 300 or more computers and focus on high end games, movies and entertainment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medium
|
|
39
|
|
Medium cafes contain 150-300 computers and focus on high-end games. They also provide several movie suites for customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large
|
|
10
|
|
Small cafes contain 100-150 computers.
|
Our Industry
Background on Internet Cafés in the PRC
Internet cafés have been booming in the PRC in the recent years. According to the "Survey of China Internet Café Industry" by the Ministry of Culture in 2005, the PRC had 110,000 internet cafés, with more than 1,000,000 employees and contributing RMB 18,500,000,000 to China's GDP. According to an article entitled “ China Surpasses U.S. in Number of Internet Users” written by David Barboza on the New York Times July 26, 2008 issue, the number of internet users in the PRC reached about 253 million in June 2008, thereby, putting China ahead of the United States as the world’s biggest internet market. According to the research conducted by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) in March 2011, the amount of internet users in China in 2009 was 385 million, 135 million of which (35.1%) surf the internet via internet cafes. By the end of 2010, the amount of internet users in China reached 457 million, 35.7% of which surf the internet via internet cafes. It is clear that internet cafés have been a fast growing segment of the Chinese internet market.
The internet café market in the PRC, like most places worldwide, originally started out simply as a location to access the internet. However, PRC internet cafés have changed into full service entertainment centers where people can relax outside work and home. These cafés provide services that are vastly different from the internet cafés initially established in the PRC. They provide decent facilities at a reasonable fee, with specific configuration for online games and audio visual entertainment. They are a source of cost effective entertainment for low-income earners who cannot afford computers, game consoles or an internet connection, such as migrant workers and students. In internet cafés, customers have access to popular online games and can either socialize or entertain themselves. Players gather together in internet cafés for games such as World of Warcraft (WOW) and Call to Arms, played either with their friends in the café or with users across the globe.
Due to tightened regulations on the operations of internet cafés, there are currently around 81,000 internet cafés in the PRC (Source: “Internet café ban call draws Chinese hacker wrath”. AFP 3 Mar 2010. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gJus4tWVAaeWI8IoS-n238PYpFjw ). The largest chain, Wanjia Net, has over 1,000 locations. There are currently 10 chains which have licenses to operate nationally. They are CY Network Home Co., Ltd, Zhong Lu Shi Kong Co., Ltd, Digital Library of China Co., Ltd, Asia Telecommunication Network Co., Ltd, China Relic Information Consultation Center, Capital Net Co., Ltd, Great Wall Broadband Network Co., Ltd, China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd, CECT-ChinaComm Communications Co., Ltd, and Read China Investment.
Computer Gaming Industry in China
According to Pearl Research, a business intelligence and consulting firm, the PRC online game market rose 63% in 2008 to $2.8 billion , rose 36% in 2009 to $3.8 billion, and rose 26% in 2010 to $4.8 billion. Given the relatively low rate of computer ownership in the PRC as compared to Western countries, internet cafés have become the primary distribution point for games in the PRC. A substantial number of game players access online games through internet cafés and these players are crucial for survival of internet cafés. (see: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4aff94ef01007zei.html).The chart below, provided by Pearl Research, a business intelligence and consulting firm, shows the robust revenue growth of online game companies from 2003 to 2010.
The following diagram prepared by Morgan Stanley depicts the interdependent relations between online game developers and internet cafés. (Source: Ji Richard and Meeker, Mary. "Creating Consumer Value in Digital China" Morgan Stanley Equity Research Global. September 12, 2005.)
Given the popularity of internet cafés in China, many online game companies have been making great efforts to support internet cafés to expand their customer base (see: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4aff94ef01007zei.html) the last few years there has been. Many online game companies promote new products by allowing internet café customers to sample the new products in Internet cafes. In this way, online game operators are provided with an outlet to present their new products as well as receive feedback from those individuals who sample the products in the Internet cafes.
The Company has been involved in several such promotions with the following operators:
|
(i)
|
Giant Network who promote their product “Titan.” As consideration for promoting their product in our Internet cafes, we receive a commission based on the time spent by customers playing the game and the level reached by customers in the game. The commissions are capped at 20,000 RMB per month.
|
|
(ii)
|
Sanda Network who promote their product “Rainbow Island.” As consideration for promoting their product in our Internet cafes, we receive a commission based on the time spent by customers playing the game and the level reached by customers in the game.
|
|
(iii)
|
Tencent, who promote their product “Cross Fire.” As consideration for promoting their product in our Internet cafes, we receive a commission based on the time spent by customers playing the game and the level reached by customers in the game.
|
These promotions benefit the Company by increasing the number of customers who visit our Internet cafes. Currently, we have 55 direct outlets in Shenzhen City, and we believe that the Company name has strong brand recognition in Shenzhen. As a result, these promotions in our Internet café are likely to increase the customer base for new online gaming products.
As the Company continues to grow, we believes that we will have the leverage to seek more lucrative terms when partnering with game operators who want to promote their products in our cafes.
Partnerships between Internet Cafés and Other Online Information Providers
Besides games, internet cafés are able to develop partnerships with other online information providers. These companies provide games as well as other information services. As can be seen by the chart below, these providers have significant revenues and profits.
Table 1 Major Internet Company Revenues
|
|
2010 Q4 Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
Million US$
|
|
|
YOY
|
|
|
Net Profit
|
|
|
%Net
|
|
|
Market Cap
|
|
Tencent Q3
|
|
$ |
5,227 |
|
|
|
55.10 |
% |
|
$ |
2,168.0 |
|
|
|
41.18 |
% |
|
$ |
49,230 |
|
Shanda
|
|
$ |
174 |
|
|
|
-13.70 |
% |
|
$ |
55.4 |
|
|
|
31.84 |
% |
|
$ |
1,653 |
|
Netease
|
|
$ |
254 |
|
|
|
30.77 |
% |
|
$ |
108.0 |
|
|
|
42.43 |
% |
|
$ |
5,926 |
|
ChangYou
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
|
30 |
% |
|
$ |
47.8 |
|
|
|
52.13 |
% |
|
$ |
1,966 |
|
Giant
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
|
33.40 |
% |
|
$ |
35.0 |
|
|
|
62.72 |
% |
|
$ |
1,802 |
|
Perfect World Q3
|
|
$ |
98 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
$ |
31.9 |
|
|
|
32.42 |
% |
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
Kingsoft Q3
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
|
-6.95 |
% |
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
|
37.12 |
% |
|
$ |
597 |
|
NetDragon Q3
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
|
-15 |
% |
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
|
2.21 |
% |
|
$ |
283 |
|
DragonCity Q2
|
|
$ |
3.7 |
|
|
|
-0.91 |
% |
|
$ |
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.1351 |
% |
|
$ |
188 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
5,959 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,459.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
62,664 |
|
(Source: I Research. “China Online Game Quarterly Research Report” Jan 2011. )
Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to compete effectively in and to capitalize on growth in the internet café market in the PRC:
|
·
|
Company-owned Cafés. Unlike most of our competitors who franchise their internet cafés, all of our cafés are direct outlets. This model makes it easier to carry out management decisions at each of our cafés. It also allows us to maximize operating profit and create a consistent name brand.
|
|
·
|
Good Scale of Operation. We have a registered capital of RMB 10 million (approximately $1.47 million) with 55 cafés. The scale of operations allows us to control cost and standardize store management. Our scale of operations will not be affected as we expand into additional provinces and obtain a national internet chain license as described in more detail below. The target companies that we intend to acquire in provinces outside of Guangdong Province will be local companies with good scale of operations. We intend to buy 51% of the target’s company, and keep the local management. As a result the efficient and effective operation of the cafes will continue and will not have a negative effect on the Company’s scale of operations as a whole.
|
|
·
|
Proprietary Software. We developed the software “SAFLASH” that provides fast and stable internet connections. Its automatic flow control prevents users from being disconnected when there is a disruption of internet traffic. Stability is a key requirement for online gamers. Our research and development team is working constantly to improve the software.
|
|
·
|
Government and Industry Relations. We have developed an excellent working relationship with the government that has assisted us to better comply with internet café related laws and regulations and to understand regulatory trends in our industry. Our CEO and CFO, Mr. Dishan Guo, is the executive president of Shenzhen Longgang District Internet Industry Association. This association is an associated department of the Ministry of Culture and sets the internet café industry standards. Mr. Guo attends annual conferences held by the Ministry of Culture in Beijing each year. As a result of his involvement, Mr. Guo gains valuable insight into new standards and may also have the opportunity to influence industry standards. Because the Ministry of Culture is responsible for culture policies and activities throughout China, and there are regional Ministry of Culture departments in each province, Mr. Guo’s government and industry relations expand beyond the Shenzhen district, which we believe will benefit the Company as we expand into provinces outside of Guangdong Province.
|
|
·
|
Centralized Oversight. All of our café managers are trained by, and under the supervision of, our centralized operations manager, who is based at our headquarters. As a result, our local managers are able to effectively handle operational issues at the cafés. The local managers are trained to provide a service level that meets Junlong’s service standards, and our operations manager is able to effectively enforce policies and procedures implemented by us.
|
Industry Risks:
The principal risk the company faces is the risk associated with changes in government regulations regulating the Internet or Internet cafes. For example, in the year 2000, an arson killed twenty-four individuals and injured several more in an Internet café in Beijing. After this event, the government released new regulations governing the operation of internet cafes, did not issue any new internet café operating licenses, and forced all internet cafes to temporarily close for safety purposes (http://news.sina.com.cn/z/wangba/index.shtml). This type of action by the government could cause serious disruptions in our operations. Additionally, the possibility of passing regulations limiting access to the Internet could have a significant negative impact on our business.
Our Growth Strategy
We are committed to enhancing our sales, profitability and cash flows through the following strategies:
|
·
|
We will seek to grow by business expansion. We plan to expand in Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan Provinces as well as the Chongqing Municipality through acquisitions of local small chains, in order to meet the requirements of applying for a national chain license. The national chain license requires 30 internet cafés in three provinces. In the future, we plan to acquire internet cafés in Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces to help us satisfy the requirements of obtaining a national chain license. We also want to fully develop our wholly-owned branches through effective integration of resources. Most of our current competitors that offer franchising simply provide a franchise license to entrepreneurs to get started in exchange for a yearly fee. Junlong, on the other hand, is deeply involved in the operational management of its company-owned cafés. After we obtain a national chain license, we will focus on developing high-end internet cafés in the more developed cities to create new concepts of internet café operation such as operating cafes that provide food and beverage service as well as overnight accommodation. Our high-end internet cafes are those housing the most up to date computers and have private rooms for movie viewing and gameplay with surround sound capability. These high-end cafes will cater to individuals with disposable income exceeding that of our general customers, young low income males and migrant workers. We expect to spread to the less developed cities in three years in order to gain competitive market shares. We plan to put 20% of our resources to the less developed cities for market integration after we are granted a national license, which will effectively lay the foundation for us in those cities.
|
|
·
|
We will seek to grow by improving our company structure. To optimize our resources and operations, we plan to improve our company structure so that 20% of our internet cafés will be large stores, each with 300 or more computers mainly focusing on movies, high-end games and entertainment; 50% of cafés will be medium stores with 150 to 300 computers and a few movie suites focusing on high-end games; 10% of cafés will be small stores in the developed cities to spread our reputation with 100 to 150 computers. In order to penetrate the less developed cities, we want to open 20% of our stores in those cities. Our mission is to set up internet cafés all over the PRC to become a real national chain and the industry leader, and we have begun to implement these plans in the first quarter of 2011.
|
|
·
|
We will seek to grow by location selection. Running internet cafés is a retail business. Internet cafés are located in highly populated areas so as to attract customers. Junlong’s internet cafés are located at busy and well attended areas such as industrial zones and business quarters. We conducted market research in Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunan provinces and Chonqing municipalities in March 2011. As a result of this market research, we have identified the university areas in Sichuan and Chongqing, the residential areas and business quarters in Yunan and Guizhou as prime areas for the establishment of internet cafés. As such, our future expansion in the south-western region will focus on the establishment of internet cafes in these locations.
|
Use of Prepaid IC Cards
Internet café members purchase prepaid IC cards which include stored value that is deducted based on time usage of a computer at the internet café. The cards are only sold at our cafés. We deduct from the stored value amount to reflect customer usage when the customers’ IC cards are inserted into the IC card slot on the computer. Revenues derived from the prepaid IC cards at the internet café are recognized when services are provided. Below is our IC card sample.
Outstanding customer balances on the IC cards are included in deferred revenue on the balance sheets. We do not charge any service fees that cause a decrease in customer balances.
The basic membership comes with the IC card and costs RMB 10 (approximately $1.52) on top of the initial credits deposited. Members receive a discount (e.g. RMB 50 (approximately $7.60) deposit gets RMB 60 (approximately $9.12) credit in the IC card). There is no expiration date for IC cards, but money deposited into the IC cards is not refundable.
Software on the Computers
We have on average 240 computers in each location and a total of over 13,000 computers serving all 55 internet cafés. We install more than 100 online games on each of our computers. We also provide movies, music and online chatting software. We use Microsoft Word compatible software called “WPS,” which is a freeware provided by Kingsoft, a Chinese software company, so that we do not pay for the higher priced Microsoft Office license.
Third Party Gaming Cards, Snacks and Drinks
We also sell third party on-line gaming cards, snacks and drinks. The commission for the sale of gaming cards is generally 20% of the value of the cards. Concessions (snacks and drinks) are also sold to customers.
New products or services
We are considering opening more “luxury” cafés in the future to meet the needs of high income groups. This strategy is only in the planning stage. Further, although this is potentially a very interesting marketing and branding tool, we do not expect these locations to significantly increase our overall revenues.
Franchising
We own all of our cafés. However, beginning in 2012 we anticipate utilizing a modified franchise model as well. Under the new franchise model, franchisees will be expected to pay the startup costs to open the new café. After the initial investment, we will select the café location, hire staff and provide the staff with intensive training to run the café. Once the café becomes operational, our employees will run the café and provide management support. We expect the franchisee to be more akin to an investor than an owner/operator. We will pay the franchisee a percentage of the café’s profit for providing the funds necessary to open the café and operate it.
Movement towards the modified franchise model will impact our competitive position, because unlike other internet café chain operators in China who “rent” out their chain licenses to individuals without providing management oversight or a standard on the appearance of each café, we will provide the franchisees with management oversight and a standard for the appearance. In this manner, we can ensure that each café is run to our standards which will allow us to present a consistent brand name across all of our Cafes.
Our Customers
Our customers are individuals who come into the location to surf the internet and/or play online games with their friends locally and remotely with individuals around the world.
Internet café users are mainly young males with low incomes, mainly migrant workers. At our cafés, migrant workers are provided a convenient channel at low cost to communicate with their families and friends. For example, VOIP (Voice over IP) service at the café is much cheaper than any other telecommunications method. Low income earners can arrange a time to chat online with their friends and families in their home cities.
We estimate that at our internet café approximately 50% of computer time is spent on gaming, 30% for other entertainment (e.g. online chatting, online movies, or online music); and 20% for other purposes (e.g work).
In the last few years there has been a decrease in the number of internet café users as a result of increased availability of internet connections at home (see: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4aff94ef01007zei.html). However, we believe that we will be able to maintain organic growth by providing quality services to our core customers. Even if someone has internet access in their home or dormitory, these locations do not provide the atmosphere and services provided by internet cafés. For example, if a computer is set up in the limited space of a dormitory, an additional internet connection would need to be purchased. A computer suitable for online gaming costs RMB 5,000 (approximately $760.47) or more. The monthly rent for an ADSL connection costs an additional RMB 100 (approximately $15.21) and even this may not be good enough for some online games such as WOW. In these types of games, there is a very important play mode called RAID, where, for example, 40 people are needed on a team to kill some monster in the dungeon. This requires all players to have very stable internet connections. A typical low-end computer and ADSL connection would suffer significant lags and cause performance issues. Internet cafés, on the other hand, can provide high speed computers and internet connections at much lower cost to the players.
In the year 2012 we plan to open internet cafés around university areas in the south-western provinces including Sichuan and Chongqing. Students spend more time in internet cafés because their time is very flexible. We believe that major users of internet cafés in the future will be young game players.
There are approximately 130,000 Internet cafés in the PRC in 2010. (Source: http://www.cnnic.com “The 27th CNNIC Report” (accessed January 2010) The market is extremely fragmented. One of the largest national chains which has around 1,000 locations has less than 2% of the national market. The following describes some of the local, regional and national competitors.
Local Competitors in Shenzhen
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·
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Shenzhen Weiwo Internet Café Chain Company. Weiwo was founded in 1997. Currently, Weiwo has 14 cafés. The company mainly operates a franchise model, with only 3 company owned cafés. The cafés are mainly located in Futian district, Shenzhen City. The company concentrates on mid-range market. Each café is relatively small with 100 to150 computers (for a total of around 1,600 computers). Its franchised stores are charged a franchising fee per month of approximately RMB 5,000 (approximately $735.29). Weiwo is the smallest internet café chain company in Shenzhen.
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·
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Shenzhen Bian Internet Co. Ltd. Although the company entered into the internet café industry in 2003, its current structure was founded on February 22, 2007 and obtained its regional internet café chain license in 2007. The company operates mostly as a franchise model with 30 registered café, only 3 of which are directly owned by the company. Each café has 80-150 computers. It also has a few large cafés with more than 200 computers. The estimated total number of computers owned by the company is 4,500. There is a significant turnover in franchise ownership with around one third of the franchise cafés transferring their licenses to other internet café owners.
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·
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Quansu Internet Café Chain Company. Quansu was founded in 1998 as a subsidiary investment project of the Shenzhen Commercial Bank Investment Co. Ltd. The company owns 38 cafés, 8 of which are directly owned and 28 of which are franchises. Each café has 80-150 computers. The total number of computers is approximately 6,200. The cafés are located in Baoan District, Futian District and Luohu District. In May 2009, Quansu switched its major business towards its internet cable connection business and public telephone business.
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National Competitors
Currently there are ten national internet café chains:
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·
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Zhongqing Network Home Co., Ltd.
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·
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Beijing Cultural Development Co., Ltd.
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·
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China Digital Library Co., Ltd.
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·
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Yalian Telecommunication Network Co., Ltd.
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·
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China Heritage Information Center
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·
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Capital Networks Limited
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·
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Great Wall Broadband Network Service Co., Ltd.
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·
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China United Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (China Unicom)
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·
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CLP Chinese Tong Communication Co., Ltd.
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Reid Investment Holding Company
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The ten national chains generally have strong financial support. However, to our knowledge these chains have not been successful in expanding their operations.
Competitors in Potential Markets
As we plan to expand our operations in other major cities, we identify the following competitors in the potential new markets where we expect to operate in the future:
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·
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Kunming – Yunnan Jin-Zhao Yuan Culture Communication Network Co., Ltd . The company was founded on May 1, 2003 by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture. It obtained its business license and registration to operate a chain of Internet cafés from the Industrial and Commercial Bureau of Yunnan Province on April 31, 2004. It has a registered capital of RMB 10 million. The company has opened approximately 19 cafés with an average of 200 computers in each café and a total of nearly 4,000 computers.
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Chengdu – Chengdu Shang Dynasty Networks Co., Ltd. The company was founded in 2002 with a registered capital of RMB 12 million. It would be most accurately described as a multifunctional entertainment facility with coffee bars and multi-function rooms. Its facilities have full range of digital entertainment including hardware and software products, and professional e-sport training. The company has four wholly owned cafés, and has more than 20,000 registered members.
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Intellectual Property
Trademark
Junlong owns the trademark Junlong, as specified in the Registration Certificate No. 4723040 issued by the Trademark Office under the State Administration of Industry and Commerce of the PRC. The registration is valid from January 28, 2009 to January 27, 2019.
Domain Name
We own and currently utilize the domain name, www.chinainternetcafe.com..
Software
The main piece of intellectual property for Junlong is the SAFLASH software. This software, developed on a Microsoft Windows platform, increases internet connection stability. Its automatic flow control prevents users from being disconnected when there is a disruption in internet traffic. The stability is a key requirement for online gamers.
Although there are no patents or copyrights for this software, it is only used internally on our computer systems and is not available for download. We also entered into a confidentiality agreement with the IT manager Zhenfan Li whose team developed this software. Our competitive advantage lies in continually updating SAFLASH to assure internet connection stability. We estimate the research and development costs associated with updating SAFLASH to be approximately 100,000 RMB per year. This costs includes the salaries of software engineers and costs associated with testing any updates. The costs associated with research and development activities are borne by our customers in the form of increased prices.
Regulation
Because our controlled VIE is located in the PRC, we are regulated by the national and local laws of the PRC.
In 2001, the PRC government imposed a minimum capital requirement of RMB 10 million (approximately $1.47 million) for regional café chains and RMB 50 million (approximately $7.35 million) for national café chains. On September 29, 2002, Ministry of Information Industry, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Culture and State Administration for Commerce and Industry issued “Regulations on the Administration of Business Sites of Internet Access Services.” The regulations require a license to operate internet cafés which may not be assigned or leased to any third parties. The regulations also have detailed provisions regarding internet cafés’ business operations and security control.
We have been in compliance of these regulations. In August 2004, we increased our registered capital to RMB 10 million (approximately $1.46 million). In 2005, Junlong obtained internet café licenses of operating internet café chain in Shenzhen from the local counterpart of Ministry of Culture.
The Ministry of Culture of China is in charge of regulating national internet café chains. To obtain a license to operate a national internet café chain, an applicant must, among other things, (i) a minimum registered capital of RMB 50 million, (ii) own or control at least 30 internet cafés, which shall cover at least three provinces or municipalities under direct administration of the State Council, and (iii) have been in full compliance with administrative regulations with respect to internet cafés for at least one year before submitting the application. Other requirements include having appropriate computer and ancillary facilities, necessary and qualified personnel and sound internal policy. Application for a national internet café chain shall be first made to the provincial counterpart of the Ministry of Culture. After preliminary approval, the provincial authority will submit the application to the Ministry of Culture for final approval. In rendering its approval, the authorities consider such factors as the then existing number of the internet café chains. We believe that obtaining a national license will provide many advantages to the Company including increasing brand awareness throughout China, increasing access to profitable markets throughout China, and increasing our ability to promote the Company’s modified franchise model throughout China. Obtaining the national chain license will not have an impact on any other government regulations to which we are subject.
We are subject to PRC foreign currency regulations. The PRC government has controlled Renminbi reserves primarily through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into other foreign currencies. Although foreign currencies, which are required for “current account” transactions, can be bought at authorized PRC banks, the proper procedural requirements prescribed by PRC law must be met. At the same time, PRC companies are also required to sell their foreign exchange earnings to authorized PRC banks, and the purchase of foreign currencies for capital account transactions still requires prior approval of the PRC government.
Under current PRC laws and regulations, Foreign Invested Entities, or FIEs, may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, FIEs in China are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to their general reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The Board of Directors of an FIE has the discretion to allocate a portion of the FIEs’ after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation.
As of July 12, 2011, we had 523 employees. The following table sets forth the number of employees by function:
|
|
Number of
|
|
Function
|
|
Employees
|
|
Senior Management
|
|
55
|
|
Accounting
|
|
16
|
|
Staff employees
|
|
452
|
|
Total
|
|
523
|
|
As required by applicable PRC law, we have entered into employment contracts with most of our officers, managers and employees. We are working towards entering employment contracts with those employees who do not currently have employment contracts with us. We believe that we maintain a satisfactory working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant disputes or any difficulty in recruiting staff for our operations.
There is no private land ownership in the PRC. Individuals and companies are permitted to acquire land use rights for specific purposes. We currently do not have any land use rights. Instead we lease most of the property that we need to operate our business from third parties.
Junlong currently leases from an individual Changsheng Hao the office space for its headquarters located at Room 1010, Unit D, Block 1, Yuanjing Garden, Longxiang Road, Zhongxin Cheng, Longgang District, Shenzhen. The term of the lease was originally December 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, but the lease has been extended for until December 31, 2011. The lease has been filed with the House Leasing Management Office of Longgang District, Shenzhen.
Junlong also leases spaces from different entities or individuals for its 55 internet cafés.
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board trades under the symbol “CICC,” however there is not currently, and historically there has never been, an active trading market for our Common Stock, and no information is available for the prices of our Common Stock. There is, however, 6,773,029 shares of the Company’s Common Stock subject to outstanding warrants (2,498,326 shares of Common Stock) and securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock (4,274,703 shares of Common Stock).
Approximate Number of Holders of Our Common Stock
As of July 12, 2011, there were approximately 168 stockholders of record of our Common Stock, as reported by our transfer agent. In computing the number of holders of record, each broker-dealer and clearing corporation holding shares on behalf of its customers is counted as a single stockholder.
Dividends
Junlong declared a dividend distribution to Dishan Guo, Jinzhou Zeng, Xiaojiang Yang and Xiaofen Wang on December 31, 2008, totaling RMB 20 million (approximately US$2.9 million). Our Board of Directors will make any future decisions regarding dividends. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends within one year. Our Board of Directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends, subject to the approval of our stockholders. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have in effect any compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance and we do not have any outstanding stock options.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and result of operations contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the "Risk Factors" section of the other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Prior to the consummation of the share exchange transaction described below, we were a shell company with nominal operations and nominal assets. Currently, operating through our variable interest entity, Junlong Culture Communication Co. Ltd. ("Junlong"), we operate the largest Internet Café chain in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China consisting of 55 locations in high traffic areas. Our focus is on providing modern internet café facilities that offer a one-stop entertainment and media venue for customers, typically mature students and migrant workers, at prices affordable to those demographics. Although our locations do sell snacks, drinks, and game access cards, more than 95% of our revenue comes directly from selling internet access time to our computers.
We expect our future growth to be driven by a number of factors and trends including:
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1.
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Our ability to expand our client base through promotion of our services
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|
2.
|
Our ability to integrate cafes we acquired in the previous years
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|
3.
|
Our ability to identify and integrate JV target companies in the coming year
|
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, our revenue was approximately $20,460,000 and our net profit was roughly $5,750,000. This represented an increase of 45.74% and 30.95%, respectively, from the revenue of roughly $14,040,000 and net profit of approximately $4,390,000 of 2009 fiscal year. As of December 31, 2010, we have 523 employees.
Because our recent operations have been limited to the operations of Junlong, the discussion below of our performance is based upon the audited financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, including Junlong, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
We believe that the following factors will continue to affect our financial performance:
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·
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Improved Disposable Income. On April 1, 2011, the minimum wage in Shenzhen was increased to 1,320 RMB/month for full time workers and 11.7 RMB/hour for part time works. This increase in the minimum wage will allow migrant workers, who are our major customers, to have more disposable income. We are expecting the inflow of migrant workers to continue to contribute to our revenue growth.
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·
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Continued Internet Café Use. Our business may be adversely affected with increased home computer and home console ownership. However, the home computer and console penetration rate is relatively low in China as compared to that of America and Europe. In addition, young people in China prefer internet cafes to home computers since it is a social place for them. We expect the preference will continue and provide sustainable business.
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|
·
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Customer Loyalty. As we continue to expand our operations, developing and maintaining customer loyalty will be critical to continued revenue growth.
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·
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Expansion into South Western Provinces. The company currently holds an internet café chain license. In order to meet the basic requirements to acquire a national internet chain license, the company’s primary objective is to acquire and open at least 20 internet cafes in two provinces other than Guangdong Province. The company has conducted research in the South Western provinces including Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan and is focusing on targets in these areas for acquisition purposes. The Company believes the national license is imperative for the development of a nationwide market.
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Recent Developments and Reorganizations
On July 2, 2010, we completed a reverse acquisition transaction through a share exchange with Classic Bond and its shareholders, whereby we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Classic Bond, in exchange for 19,000,000 shares of our common stock, which shares constituted 94% of our issued and outstanding shares on a fully-diluted basis as of and immediately after the consummation of the reverse acquisition. As a result of the reverse acquisition, Classic Bond became our wholly-owned subsidiary and the former shareholders of Classic Bond, became our controlling stockholders. See “Corporate Structure and History – Acquisition of Classic Bond” above for more information regarding Classic Bond, its subsidiary, and controlled VIE.
Upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, Xuezheng Yuan, our sole director and officer, submitted a resignation letter pursuant to which he resigned from all offices that he held with immediate effect and from his position as our sole director effective August 13, 2010. Also upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, our Board of Directors increased its size from one to five members and appointed Dishan Guo, Zhenquan Guo, Lei Li, Wenbin An and Lizong Wang to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Xuezheng Yuan. Mr. Dishan Guo's appointment became effective upon closing of the reverse acquisition, while the remaining appointments became effective on, August 13, 2010. In addition, upon the closing of the reverse acquisition, our executive officers were replaced by the Classic Bond executive officers as indicated in more detail below.
For accounting purposes, the share exchange transaction was treated as a reverse acquisition, with Classic Bond as the acquirer and China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc. as the acquired party.
On January 20, 2011, China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc. filed with the Nevada Secretary of State an amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to give effect to a name change from “China Unitech Group, Inc.” to “China Internet Cafe Holdings Group, Inc.” The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were approved by our Board of Directors on July 30, 2010 and were approved by a stockholder holding 59.45% of our outstanding common stock by written consent on July 30, 2010.
On February 22, 2011( the “Closing Date”), in connection with a security purchase agreement between the Company and certain investors (the “Investors”), we closed a private placement (the “Offering”) of approximately $6.4 million from offering a total of 474,967 units (the “Units”) at a purchase price of $13.50 per Unit, each consisting of:(i) nine shares of the Company’s Preferred Shares, convertible on a one to one basis into nine shares of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) one share of Common Stock; (iii) two three-year Series A Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.00 per share; and (iv) two three-year Series B Warrants, each exercisable for the purchase of one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share.
As a condition to the Offering, we agreed to grant certain registration rights to the Investors pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement dated February 22, 2011. We agreed to register for resale with the Securities and Exchange Commission (i) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares (4,274,703); (ii) the Common Shares (474,967); (iii) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (2,498,326); and (iv) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing .
In April 2010, we acquired two new cafes in Longgang district. Lanman internet cafe opened on April 6 with two hundred and thirty-one computers and ten employees, and Chaosu internet cafe opened on April 16 with two hundred and forty computers and fourteen employees. In July 2010, we acquired one new cafe in the Baoan district, Gainianshikong internet café, which opened on July 11 with two hundred and fourteen computers and ten employees. In the fiscal year ended 2010, we opened sixteen internet cafes, and as a result, we had forty four internet cafes in Shenzhen as of December 31, 2010.
During the first two quarters of 2011, we have opened an additional 11 cafes bringing our total number of internet cafes in Shenzhen to 55 as of July 12, 2011.
Taxation
United States
The Company is subject to United States tax at a rate of 34%. As we had no taxable income for 2010 and 2009 no provision for income taxes in the United States has been made.
British Virgin Islands
Classic Bond was incorporated in the BVI. Under the current laws of the BVI, Classic Bond is not subject to income taxes.
China
Zhonghefangda is subject to a 5% business tax on its revenue.
Junlong was subject to an 18% enterprise income tax (“EIT”) in 2008, 20% EIT in 2009, and 22% EIT in 2010.
In March 2007, China passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”) and its implementing rules which became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law and its implementing rules generally provide that a 10% withholding tax applies to China-sourced income derived by non-resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes unless the jurisdiction of incorporation of such enterprises’ shareholders has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. In addition, under the EIT Law, we may be deemed to be a “resident enterprise,” as discussed in “Risk Factors – Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a ‘resident enterprise’ of China.” Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.”
We incurred income taxes of $1,819,380 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, a $751,118 or 70.31% increase from the taxes incurred during 2009. The increase in taxes was due, in part, to increased revenue generated from the expansion of our business during 2010. The additional tax was also caused by the increase of our income tax rate from 20% in 2009 to 22% in 2010. We incurred income taxes of $1,068,262 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $461,210 or 63.83% from the $652,052 in taxes that we incurred during 2008. This increase in taxes was due to the opening of additional internet cafes and a rise in the income tax rate from 18% in 2008 to 20% in 2009.
Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as tax legislation, the geographic composition of our pre-tax income and non-tax deductible expenses. Our management carefully monitors these legal developments and will timely adjust our effective income tax rate when necessary.
Results of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
The following tables set forth key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated, in dollars and as a percentage of revenue.
CHINA INTERNET CAFE HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
AUDITED
The following sets forth certain information of the Company’s income statement for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
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|
For The Years ended
|
|
|
For The Years ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
As
percentage
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
As
percentage
|
|
|
Amount
Change
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
20,460,459
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
$
|
14,038,931
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
6,421,528
|
|
|
|
45.74
|
%
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
11,823,456
|
|
|
|
58
|
%
|
|
|
8,409,527
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
3,413,929
|
|
|
|
40.60
|
%
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
1,615,096
|
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
1,276,415
|
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
338,681
|
|
|
|
26.53
|
%
|
Salary
|
|
|
1,746,098
|
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
830,944
|
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
915,154
|
|
|
|
110.13
|
%
|
Rent
|
|
|
1,089,910
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
814,954
|
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
274,956
|
|
|
|
33.74
|
%
|
Utility
|
|
|
1,541,090
|
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
1,367,545
|
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
173,545
|
|
|
|
12.69
|
%
|
Business tax and surcharge
|
|
|
4,839,276
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
3,319,554
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
1,519,722
|
|
|
|
45.78
|
%
|
Others
|
|
|
991,986
|
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
800,115
|
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
191,871
|
|
|
|
23.98
|
%
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
8,637,003
|
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
|
|
5,629,404
|
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
3,007,599
|
|
|
|
53.43
|
%
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
|
634,739
|
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
166,141
|
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
|
468,598
|
|
|
|
282.05
|
%
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
8,002,264
|
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
5,463,263
|
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
2,539,001
|
|
|
|
46.47
|
%
|
Interest income
|
|
|
8,265
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
8,265
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
-9,437
|
|
|
|
-0.05
|
%
|
|
|
-819
|
|
|
|
-0.01
|
%
|
|
|
-8,618
|
|
|
|
1052.26
|
%
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
-43
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
-5,733
|
|
|
|
-0.04
|
%
|
|
|
5,690
|
|
|
|
-99.25
|
%
|
Reorganizational expenses
|
|
|
435,086
|
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
435,086
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Income Before Income Taxers
|
|
|
7,565,963
|
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
|
|
5,456,711
|
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
2,109,252
|
|
|
|
38.65
|
%
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,819,380
|
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
1,068,262
|
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
751,118
|
|
|
|
70.31
|
%
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
5,746,583
|
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
|
$
|
4,388,449
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
|
|
1,358,134
|
|
|
|
30.95
|
%
|
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
Revenue . Our revenue is primarily generated from sales of prepaid IC cards. Sales revenue increased by approximately $6.4 million, or 45.74%, to $20 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $14 million for the same period in 2009. The increase was mainly due to the revenue generated by the sixteen new cafes opened in 2010. Management expects this trend to continue in 2011 as we continue to focus on organic growth within Shenzhen while simultaneously pursuing options for expansion through acquisition in other provinces. In addition, our same store sales figures increased by 5% in 2010 and management expects this trend to continue as the overall computer usage rate in China increases and we continue to focus on developing and maintaining customer loyalty. The company is also currently attempting to increase the Company’s revenue percentage of the Game Card commission.
Cost of Revenue . Our cost of sales is primarily comprised of depreciation and amortization, salary, rent, utility business tax and surcharge. Our cost of sales increased $3.4 million, or 40.60%, to $11 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $8.4 million during the same period in 2009. The increase was mainly attributable to increased labor cost and taxes in our 2010 fiscal year as compared to the same period in 2009. During 2010, the increased business tax was a direct result of the higher revenue generated from the business. We expect this trend to continue in 2011 as the Company continues to expand its revenue base. In addition, the company expects to slightly increase our average employee salary as the Shenzhen Government moves forward with its plan to increase the basic local income level.
Gross Profit . Our gross profit is equal to the difference between our sales revenue and our cost of sales. Our gross profit increased by $3 million, or 53.43%, to $8.6 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $5.6 million for the same period in 2009. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 42% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 40% during the same period in 2009. The improvement of our gross profit margin was mainly attributable to an increase in computer usage in the 2010 fiscal year as compared to the same period in 2009. Management expects margins to remain relatively unchanged in 2011 as other cost drivers increase together with the revenue growth.
Operating Expenses . Our administrative expenses consist of the costs associated with staff and support personnel who manage our business activities. Our administrative expenses increased by $468,598, or 282.05%, to $634,739 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $166,141 for the same period in 2009. The increase was mainly attributable to the staff training and staff welfare. Shenzhen has a large migrant worker population, which has caused us to have a high employee turnover rate. It is our hope that by increasing the amount spent on staff training and staff welfare, we will provide our employees with the appropriate training and sense of corporate unity to keep them retained with the Company for the long-term. The Company expects a slight increase in salary in 2011 due to the adjustment of the basic income level by the Shenzhen Government.
Non-operating Expenses . Our other expenses decreased by $5,690, to $43 of non-operating income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $5,733 expense for the same period in 2009. In the 2010 period, we incurred interest expenses of 9,437 of which $5,151 was for the $300,000 short term loan from Shenzhen Yuzhilu Aviation Service Co., Ltd and $4,286 on the RMB 1 million (approximately $147,058) loan from China Construction Bank Shenzhen Branch, while in the 2009 period the interest expense was $819 for the 1 million RMB loan from China Construction Bank Shenzhen Branch which was granted in October 2009.
Income before Income Taxes . Income before income taxes increased by $2,109,252, or 38.65%, to $7,565,963for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $5,465,711 for the same period in 2009. The increase of income before income tax was mainly attributable to business expansion. Income before income taxes as a percentage of sales dropped to 37% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to 39% for the same period in 2009 due to the occurrence of reorganizational expenses described below.
Our reorganizational expenses increased by $435,086 from $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was mainly attributable to the amount incurred during the setup of the VIE structure and the purchase of the shell company. The reorganizational expense was a one-time expense.
Income Taxes . Our income taxes increased by $751,118 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 from $1,068,262 during the same period in 2009. The primary reasons for the increase of income taxes was the higher taxable income generated by the new stores opened in 2010 and an increase in the tax rate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for each financial statement period presented in this report.
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
5,817,076
|
|
|
$
|
4,781,464
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(5,414,072
|
)
|
|
|
(2,988,697
|
)
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
253,054
|
|
|
|
146,180
|
|
Effect of Foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
118,910
|
|
|
|
3,811
|
|
Net cash flows
|
|
|
774,968
|
|
|
|
1,942,758
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $4.8 million net cash provided by operating activities for the same period in 2009. The change was mainly attributable to an increase in income tax payable, an amount due to a director for advances made by the director and expansion of our business and overall revenue. The Company has traditionally relied on advances from a director to pay certain public company expenses. Going forward, management intends to pay these expenses from proceeds from our offerings and net income.
Net cash used in investing activities was $5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to approximately $3 million net cash used in investing activities for the same period in 2009. During 2010, net cash used in investing activities was mainly focused on the acquisition of new cafes, payments attributable to leasehold improvements, equipment deposits and increasing revenue at existing locations. During 2009, we were focused on increasing revenue at current locations. As we move forward with our expansion plans, we expect net cash used in investing activities will increase in 2011.
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $253,000 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to roughly $146,000 in the same period in 2009. Financing provided in 2010 was primarily the result of a loan agreement entered into on July 1, 2010 with Shenzhen Yuzhilu Aviation Service Co., Ltd for $300,000 for purchasing the shell company and a loan agreement with China Construction Bank for $151,245 (RMB1,000,000) at an interest rate 20% more than the benchmark landing rate, which was secured by director’s guarantee. The first loan matured on October 1, 2010, and the company settled such loan on October 8, 2010. The second loan is due on November 14, 2011. In 2009, the net cash provided by financing activities was primarily the result of a loan agreement with China Construction Bank for $149,296 (RMB1,000,000),which was secured by director’s guarantee. This loan was due on October 25, 2010 and was settled by the Company on October 19, 2010.
We are party to a Loan Agreement with the Shenzhen Branch of the China Construction Bank entered into in October 2010 for a loan of RMB 1 million (approximately $152,204). As of December 31, 2010, we had an aggregate principal amount outstanding of approximately $152,204 with a maturity date of November 14, 2011 and an interest rate of 6.37% per annum. The loan agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and is mainly guaranteed by third parties and individual persons or secured by a lien on our property and equipment. Historically, all debts due have been paid back by the Company in a timely manner. All Short-Term Bank Loans are revolving loans whose terms (at due date of payment) are extended by the lender. As of December 31, 2010, we were in material compliance with the terms of our loan agreements. As such, management expects all unpaid Short-Term Bank Loans balances can be extended at due date. The company does not rely on any short term lending, the purpose of the short term loan is to build up credits in the national bank. The Company currently has sufficient lines of credit with the banks for both short-term and long-term borrowings.
As of December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.84 million and restricted cash of roughly $0.95 million. As of the year ending December 31, 2010, our working capital had been primarily financed with various forms, including cash from operations, a loan from a director and the short term loan from the Shenzhen Branch of the China Construction Bank. As of December 31, 2010, we had retained earnings of roughly $10,499,000, as compared to approximately $4,753,000 as of December 31, 2009.
In order to develop our business to meet the increasing customer demand for higher quality internet service and to capture potential customers within other provinces, our management team plans to grow our business by expanding into other provinces. Management plans to accomplish this by identifying suitable merger candidates and integrating these cafes into our corporate structure and operations. To date, we have identified one potential acquisition target in Guizhou with an estimated cost of $4 million. In addition, management believes that the Guizhou acquisition target will require additional working capital of roughly $2 million to fully integrate these cafes into our overall corporate structure and operations. Management also intends to grow our business and meet increasing customer demands by adding new wholly-owned cafes and improving existing locations. The estimated cost of building and developing these new facilities and improving the quality of the existing locations is approximately $4 million. Management believes that it currently has sufficient cash on hand for these expansion projects.
The company is working towards its goal of achieving a national internet chain license which requires at least 20 more internet cafés in two provinces outside of Guangdong Province. The Company has conducted research in the South Western provinces including Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan and is focusing on these areas for future internet café establishment and acquisition purposes. The company has yet to finalize any expansion or acquisition plans within these provinces and is still in the process of evaluating the estimated cost of these future expansion plans. We plan to fund the aforementioned expansion projects through short-term borrowings, partial proceeds from prior private financings, cash from operations and potential equity financings. However, our ability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including but not limited to:
|
·
|
investors’ perception of, and demand for, securities of internet and technologies companies;
|
|
·
|
conditions of the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise funds;
|
|
·
|
our future results of operations, financial condition and cash flow;
|
|
·
|
PRC governmental regulation of foreign investment in internet service providing companies in China;
|
|
·
|
economic, political and other conditions in China; and
|
|
·
|
PRC governmental policies relating to foreign currency borrowings.
|
If we are unable to obtain funding with acceptable terms, or at all, our ability expand our operations and our business could be adversely affected.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial conditions and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue recognition
Internet café members purchase prepaid IC cards which include stored value that will be deducted based on time usage of computers at the internet cafe. Revenues derived from the prepaid IC cards at the internet café are recognized when services are provided. This is based upon usage of computer time at the internet cafe. Outstanding customer balances in the IC cards are included in deferred revenue on the balance sheets. The Company does not charge any service fees that cause a decrement to customer balances. There is no expiration date for IC cards.
The Company also records revenue from commission received from the sale of third parties on-line gaming cards, snacks and drinks. Commission revenue amounting to 20% of the value of the on-line gaming cards, snacks and drinks is recognized at the time the items are sold to customers.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold consists primarily of depreciation of each internet café’s computer equipment and hardware and overhead associated with the internet cafes including rental payments, utilities, business taxes and surcharges. Our internet surfing business tax is 20% on gross revenue generated from our internet cafes. Our other surcharges are an education surcharge of 3%, city development surcharge of 1%, a culture development surcharge of 3%, and a snacks and drinks business tax of 5%. All surcharges are calculated on the basis of business tax amount.
Property, plant and equipment
Fixed assets, comprising computer equipment and hardware, leasehold improvements, office furniture and vehicles are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives listed below.
|
Estimated Useful Lives
|
Leasehold improvement
|
5 years
|
Cafe computer equipment and hardware
|
5 years
|
Cafe furniture and fixtures
|
5 years
|
Office furniture, fixtures and equipments
|
5 years
|
Motor vehicles
|
5 years
|
Leasehold improvement mainly results from decoration expenses. All of our lease contracts state lease terms of 5 years and leasehold improvement is amortized over 5 years, which represents the shorter of useful life and lease term.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents the unused balance of the IC cards. The Outstanding customer balances are approximately $579,822 and $775,985 as at December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively, and are included in deferred revenue on the balance sheets. Management has evaluated the deferred revenue balance and has determined any potential revenue from the unused balance to be immaterial at the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
Comprehensive income
The Company follows the FASB’s accounting standards. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. For the Company, comprehensive income for the periods presented includes net income and foreign currency translation adjustments.
Income taxes
Income taxes are provided on an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. Current tax is based on the profit or loss from ordinary activities adjusted for items that are non-assessable or disallowable for income tax purpose and is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740-10-50-2 requires deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized for future tax consequence attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain. Losses incurred by the Company in prior years provide for a net operating loss carry-forward. However, due to the fact that all net operating losses are from the U.S. shell company which we currently anticipate insufficient income to utilize in the future, the assets balance has been fully reserved for.
Foreign currency translation
Assets and liabilities of the Company with a functional currency other than US$ are translated into US$ using period end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Foreign currency translation differences are included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Stockholders’ Equity.
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into USD for the purposes of preparing the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Year end RMB : USD exchange rate
|
|
|
6.6118
|
|
|
|
6.8372
|
|
Average yearly RMB : USD exchange rate
|
|
|
6.7788
|
|
|
|
6.8409
|
|
The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into USD at the rates used in translation.
Seasonality
Our operating results and operating cash flows historically have not been subject to seasonal variations. There are moderate impacts on our business during major national holidays such as the Spring Festival and National Day. This pattern may change, however, as a result of new market opportunities or new product introductions.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
The following tables set forth key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated, in dollars and as a percentage of revenue.
CHINA INTERNET CAFE HOLDINGS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
UNAUDITED
The following sets forth certain information of the Company’s income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
|
|
For The Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For The Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2011
|
|
|
March 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|